The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-17
THE WAR In SOUTH CAROLINA.
Rebel Description of the Burning
of Columbia.
Admiral DahIgren's Report Of the
Capture of Georgetown.

Browns message, of which ali abstract has
been published. The Republican also
contains a rebel account of Sherman's Oc-
cupstion of Columbia, from the Augusta
C6nstitutionalist Feb. 9th, derived from
citizens of Columbia. 1t appears the rebel
troops in large numbers left on the 18th
in the direction of Charlotte. Gen. Mag
rath left on the 18th for the upper section
of the State. Maj. Goodwin went the
same day and surrendered the city to
Sherman. The public stores were thrown
omen and everybody helped themselves.
No stores were burnt. Sherman's army
entered Columbia in the forenoon. They
soon commenced destroying public prop
erty. Depots and arsenals were blown
up, and buildings in the suburbs contain
ing public stores were fired. Late in the
afternoon a pile of cotton in the street
near the Congaree House took fire, the
sparks and flames spread to some wooden
buildings which were near, when strong
winds drove the flames down both sides OF
the street.
The scene became terrific. Loud ex-
plosions continually filed the air, the resi-
dences and grounds were shaken as by an
earthquake, and vast columns of smoke
and fame rose to the heavens. Nothing
of any account was saved. Goods, provi-
sions and furniture which had been moved
to supposed places of security, were burned
as the fire progressed. The distance
burned on Main street was about a mile
and half. DR.. Reynolds house is the
only one left standing between the Sec
tions known as the cotton town and the
State House. The fire also extended five
or ten blocks east of Main street, destroy
ing everything. The entire business por-
ton of the city is in ruins. Both hotels,
the Guardian and Carolinian newspaper
Offices, a number ofchurches, the Catholic
seminary, and several other public build
ings, all the depots, the buildings at Char
lotte Junction, and Evans and Coggswell's
printing establishments, are burned. All
the cars and engines which the rebels did
not remove were destroyed. Only three
churches were left standing-the Catholic,
Episcopalian and Presbyterian.
The female college was uninjured and is
now occupied by houseless women and
children. The old State House was blown
up; the new State House was not touched,
it containing statute of Washington.
The Wade Hampton House was saved by
the Federal officers. Gen. Preston's house
was also saved and given to the occupants
of the Catholic Seminary, whose property
was accidentally destroyed.
The railroads about Columbia were all
torn up, and the bridges leading to the
place destroyed, The country around the
place is stripped of all eatables and trans
portation. All the horses and carriages in
Che city are taken. The citizens will be in
very destitute condition, and unless some
relief is soon obtained there must be suffer
ing and deaths from starvation.
Some % miles of the Greenville railroad
had been previously damaged by freshet
Much damage was also done by the enemy.
The treasury department banks were
removed to Charlotte. Both papers re.
moved portion of their stock to the same
place. Many negroes left with Shermans
army, and more were taken by force
Large numbers returning to their masters
The Federals seemed much incensei
against Magrath, and would use him harsh
" if they get him in their power. Few i
any private residences were entered. NJ
outrages are known to have been commit
ted on ladies. The enemy are unde
strict discipline During the marcl
through the city Sherman's headquarter
werein the city, al the residence of Mr.
Duncan 1t is estimated that his infantr.
and artillery numbered 10000. No cav
alry was with him. Their rear guart
passed through Tuesday afternoon. Th'
troops were in the best condition-wer
we'll clothed, well shod, and marched as
thew had Just started on an expedition, in
stead of being out for weeks. Fort Sain
Matthews and Union Court Houses hav
been destroyed. Some of Sherman's of
ficers said his destination was Raleigh an,
Salisbury. The General himself appeared
in good spirits and confident of success
One corps taok the road to Camden ant
Florence, another to WinnesborO, ant
Sherman with two corps moved on the di
rect road to Charlotte.
WASHINGTON, March THE Navy De
partment has received an official dispatch
from Admiral Dahlgren, announcing GU
possession of Georgetown, s. G. The re
port is dated Georgetown, S. c., Feb. %
flagship Harvest Moon, in which he SAYS
under date of Feb. 26: II appraised tn,
department that the naval forces undel
INV command had taken possession O
Georgetown. As soon as the occupation
of Charleston left my thoughts and mean:
at liberty, l gave my attention to this
point as likely to be the preferable com.
munication for Gen. Sherman, in case sucf
became desirable before entering Mort
Carolina. Accordingly, / soon began t.
collect suitable force from this station
The McDonaugh and Geranium and two
launches were ordered into the Santee
river, being the only two of that class Of
vessels which can pass the bar of that
river. On the ed the Pawnee was or.
dered to Georgetown, and all the marines
we could collect were embodied in bat
TALON, the object being to pass up the
Santee river with this body of men, take
the road to Georgetown that traverses the
rear of the rebel works and assault while
tbe vessels attacked the front. The in
fo ha commanded l. q