The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-08
BY TELEGRAPH,
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
TO THE DAILY PRESS.

Chdrteston Ite1ts-Defaits of the Burns'y :"
| Cot"na6ta-FeGrfttl Scenes During me
0ress of the Fire-Destttuie C0ndttta" ~
| the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the Te'''''
| army. r.L1,E
1 Tho stoer,sh;, Savannah. from Hilton Head
! 4th inst a.r;1ed here this evening. She
| hrin0s ;mnortan t dispatches from Gen. Gilmore
| to the War Department.
| Tbe CbarIeston Courier of the I'd inst. says
/ an ofticer frbm Sherman's army was in Charles
! ton taxing immediate steps towards raising a
4 regiment Of white troops there. Z III Il
] q nnn,ber of the families who had removed
bayond the city limits of Charleston had re-
turned with their household goods.
| The Savannah Republican OF the I'd inst.
! contains Gov. Browns message in full, of
| which an abstract has been published in the
Richmond papers.
The Republican also contains a rebel ac.
count of Sherman'S occupation of Columbia
from the Augusta Constitutionalist of Feb.
9th, derived from citizen of Columbia. 1t
appears that the rebel troops in large numbers
lett on the l7ih In the direction OF Charlotte.
Gov. Magrath left on the 18th for the upper
section of the State. Beauregard left the same
day for Charlotte. Mayor Goodwin went the
same day to meet Gen. Sherman and surren-
dered the city to him at Saluda Bridge, three
miles out. On the same day the public stores
were thrown open and every body helped them
selves. No stores were burnt y s1is
Gen. Sherman's army entered Columbia in
the afternoon and soon afterwards they com
menced destroying the public property. The
depots and arsenals were blown up and the
buildings in the suburbs containing public
stores fired. Late in the afternoon a pile OF
cotton in a street near the Congaree House
took fire from sparks and the flames spread to
some wooden buildings, which unfortunately
were in the vicinity, whence a strong wind
drove them down both sides of the street, The
scene became terrific, and loud explosions con-
tinually filed the air. The residences and
ground were shaken as by an earthquake and
the flames rose to the heavens. Nothing of
any account was saved. Goods, provisions
and furniture moved as it was supposed to q
place OF security, we're burned as the fire pro-
crossed. The distance burned over on Main
street was about,a mile and half. DR.. Rey-
NJ Ids house was the only one left standing
between the section known as Cottontown and
State House. The fire also extended from
five to ten blocks east of Main street, destroy
ing everything. The entire business portion
OF the city is in ruins. Both hotels, the Guar
dian and Carolinian newspaper offices, num-
Der of churches, the Catholic Seminary, and
several other public buildings, all the depots
and public buildings at Charlott JUNCTION, and
Coggswelrs printing establishment are among
the buildings burned. All the cars, engines
and railroad fixtures which the rebels did not
succeed in removing were also destroyed
Only three churches were left standing, the
Catholic, Episcopal and Presbyterian. The
Female College was uninjured, and is now oc-
cupied by hOuseiess women and children.
The old State House was not touched, 1t
contained statute of Washington. Wade
Hampton's house was saved by Federal Of
fcers. Gen. Preston's house was also saved
and given to the occupants of the Catholic
Seminary, whose property was destroyed. The
railroad about Columbia was all torn up. All
the bridges leading to the place are destroyed,
together with foundries. The country around
the place is stripped of all eatables, and for
transportation all the horses and carriages
in the city were taken. The citizens are said
to be in destitute condition, and unless some
relief is soon afforded, there will be great suf-
ferng and deaths from starvation. anaooh ~
Some twenty-five miles of the Greenville
Railroad had beeu previously damaged by
freshet, and much damage was also done by
the enemy. I9 9eaea2 baR faa Nv
The Treasury Departments and banks were
removed to Charlotte, and both newspapers,
taking Ia portion of their stock, to the same
place. - ~ eea
Many negroes left with Sherman's army,
but none were taken by force, and large num-
bers returned again to their masters
Gen. Sherman thought he would not visit
the country west of Broad river.
The Federals seemed much incensed against
Magrath, and would use him sharply if they
got him in their power. The Federals were,
under strict discipline during their march
through the city. Gen. Sherman's head quar-
tiers were in the city at the residence of Mr..
Duncan. 1t was estimated that his infantry
and artillery numbered 10000. No cavalry
was with him. His rear guard passed through
on Tuesday afternoon. The troops were in
the best condition; were well clothed and
well shod, and marched as if they had just
started on an expedition, instead Of having
been out for weeks. st. Mathews and Union
court houses have been destroyed. Some of
Sherman's officers said his destination was
Raleigh and Salisbury. The general himself
appeared in goods spirits and confident of
success. One corps took the road to Camden
and Florence another the road to Winsboro',
and Sherman with two corps moved on the
direct road to Charlotte. 51fsa "A .ga!