Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-04-05

Abou. / o'clock on the morning of the l6tt
ult., the Confederate forces evacuated the city
hav ing, however, destroyed the bridges ovel
the rivers above named. The enemy crossed
over by their pontoons and small boats, ane
were on their march on the city by 10 O'Clock
the same day.
The Mayor, attended by some civilians
went out to meet Sherman, and offered him
in person, the possession of the city and it
surrender Internationally, which WAS indig
ncntly refused.
At the head Of large and we'll disciplined
army, the sacriligeons Ineendiary rode in al
tho majesty of lf:conceit; before him was 8
stolen carriage. well equipped aud drawn by
stolen steeds of rare beauty and excellence
This was a. triumphant chariot, which, was
decorated with Yankee flags, Southern rib
bons, flowers, and various trinkets used by
our school girls.
The main army entered the city from the
West, and marched in military array through
| the principal streets. There were no strag.
gers. All was order, decorum and strict
discipline. The troo ps were we'll clothed
fand oil were in the prime of manhood 1t
was evident from the healthy and jovial ap
pearapce of the whole army, both officers and
privates, that they had lived luxuriously on
the spoils of the citizens of this State. | was
informed by an officer that such was the
abundance of provisions On their line Of
march that in many instances they only con-
sumed the choicest parts Of beeves and de-
stroyed the rest. Old wines, brandies, &C.,
which had been treasured for years, supplied
the officers, whilst the common soldiers
slaked their thirst with more recent and
common beverage.
found, BY personal observation that there
were not fifty sick persons belonging to the
army, and none were dangerously so. The
horses and mules were unquestionably ia
splendid order. These animals wore selected
from the best stock in the State. have been
Informed on indubitable authority, and, | have
witnessed several instances myself, that when
ever horses, mules, COWS, &C., were not selec-
ted for any purpose, they We're, IN most H.
stances, Shutdown, or otherwise destroyed.
The superior officers of the army establish
ed their headquarters on the outskirts of the
city, and allowed the common soldiers and
inferior officers to enter and pilisge the
town.
When all was. arranged, aud the proper
disposition made Of baggage &C., the city
was given UP to pillage. The work of ,plun-
der took place about 2 O'Clock of the same
day on which they entered the city. At first,
only stores, warehouses and banks were
robbed. have witnessed the plundoring OF
several banks and stores, and such scene
trust never again to see. Officers, privatcs
and negroes were mixed in one promiscuous
gang, all and each cursng, swearing, bias
phcming, breaking open closets, trunks, desks,
&C., and hurrying away laden with the silver
and golden ware, jewelry. &c. The plumber
thus obtained mist haye bern immense, as
several of the Charleston banks had beenre.
moved to this place, when that city was
threatened by the enemy. The people here
were entirely unprepared for this general lie
struction, on account of the rumored cieuen-
cy extended to the people of Georgia BY the
Incendiary.
Similar scenes of robbery were being per
petratcd in various parts of the city, and COLI
tinued so till night. In fact, the whole army
was converted into :. grand gang Of robbers
and they piled their ayocatous with unpar-
allied assiduity.
Nearly every house in the town was sup
piled with IA guari, whether by order o!
proper oilicers Or merely volunteer, ! cannot
assert. They were illdee faithful guardians! /!
but faithful to their lust of piunder. The,
disseuhied, deceived and led several into
..lsc security. Thc citizens. literally lcasie'i'
tliein, hopiug thereby 10 secure their protec
ton. /; is my firm conviction that these men
we're ooste,; III every house for lhe purpose 81
DESTROYING them, CT throwing the pcop'c OF
their guard. Of this, however, have no
i,-ooi.' il.eus!, ] an well aware that they wera,
in mos. INSTANCES, ..:e parties selected I,
burn the cit?, and ~ha actually did 50. O.
the deception praaiised on myself ard oIhrrs
| will rot speak. ii being o.;ly pars OF 'h"
general syse,n .; l!>siinulation used by IT,,
wicked horde Of robbers, yelcpt Sherman ),
army
A. night approached, the sac',T:g O. tie
city became, il possible, NOR general. Uni-
versal disma7 aud terror held the people as
fin the grasp Of steel. The citizens confined
themselves to their houses, and none wrr,
cn The streets but Yankees and negroes We
....d confidently hoped that the vast trea,-
ures, 10th public au1, private, nov in the
possessioii nf lAe ene,uy, and carciully ,ccur-
ed in their wagon trains, would sh,ialc their
vengeance, aid that the city would cscare
the torch OF the incendiary Il was n deln.
s;ye dream. Sherman had issued his sukase,'
saI the CITY must burn.
1t was delightful night. The sun had
;ust aonc down in al! his glory, end the STARS
shore forth from their biudhome in she heay
ops as though they were tl.at night to dance
over the clear waters 81 The Consaree, and
not be messengers to bear TO the Common
Father of all the horrid tragedy Of cruel
and triumphant zoe, whose polluted hands
were dripping before morning vita p,llasse,
pillage, rape and Incest.
At about clock, the first house was ET-
ed. tLen another, another and another, in
such rapid succession that nearly all the houses
on Main street were simultaneously in lames.
At first the icemen made an effort to suhdue
the conhagratjou, but they were driven off at
the point of the bayonet, and tho fire engines
destroyed. After this, no combined attempt
was made to save tie city. Tie work Of i'll
cendiarism went on uninterrurtcdly, sad to
the entire satisfaction of the Commander-in.
chief Never before were any orders issued