American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-29
ruE MARCH NoRrHwARD.

L
there.
THE MARCH NoRTHwARD.
From Columbia we marched toward
Charlotte, destroying the railroad as we
went. The goth Corps entered Winns-
borough. on the 21st, about ~ miles from
Columbia, on the Charlotte Road. On
entering the town, some of the largest
buildings were found to be on fire. Upon
inquiry, it was discovered that the houses
had been fred by Mrs. Landerdale who
had a quantity of cotton stored in the
buildings, and which she said "she would
destroy to keep the Yankees from getting
it," In this way large portion OF this
very pretty town was burned. Here we
found many rebels from Charleston who
had moved their household furniture, ,&c.,
to safe place Gas they thought) from
| Yankee invasion. The town was care
fully taken care of, and the guards left
by Gen. Geary were sent by the Rebels,
when they entered the town after us, un-
harmed into our lines
We were now getting on revolution
airy ground, striking the Catawba river
at Rock Ill., where Sumter fought his
actions. While at this river rain storm
came on, which rendered the roads al
most impossible. The goth Corps crossed
the river first, and got through with great
difficulty. Kilpatrick's cavalry. followed,
after whom came the 14th Corps. While
this Corps was crossing the bridge gave
way, and the greater portion of it float
ed off down the stream. Tie bridge was
finally repaired, the tugs from the har-
ness being anchored as cables, and the
l4th Corps crossed. The army Of the
Tennessee crossed about 20 miles below
meeting little or no opposition.
The next point of interest was the
Hanging Rock, also connected with Rev
olutionary memories When about one
davis march from Hanging Rock some of
our bummers captured couple of banks
which we're IN trapsitu in four iron safes
I'm the place itself was found all Of Gen.
Ripley's private history of the siege Of
Charleston. This gives us historical date
from the highest Rebel official sources
All the property found was at once taken
to the headquarters Of General Williams,
commanding the goth Corps, the money
carefully counted, and turned over to the
United States Government.
/ The next town of Importance was
Chesterfield which was entered by the
foragcr5 two days in advance of the ar
my. At the same time the 18th and
18th Corps entered the town of Cheran
Gen. Mowers division in advance The
command Of that officer fought their way
in with skirmish line, but had no seri-
Gus opposition. We captured at this
place % guns and large quantity Fix
ell ammunition. Among the guas was a
Blakely gun, "presented 20 the sovereign
States Of South Carolina by her ctizers
resident abroad Dec 1860" This gun
was used on Morris Island during the first
bombardment of Fort Sumter, and with
/
it the Rebels claim to have shot away the
flagstaff of that Fort. March 4, 1865,
Gen. Mower captured this gun, turned it
quickly on the retrcating Rebels, and
gave them National shotted salute, for
which they furnished all the materials.
Owing to the disaster at Columbia the
powder captured here was handled very
carefully, yet an explosion occurred which
seriously wounded one man, and more or
less injured the buildings aud the town.
Many Charestonians were in the town
who had escaped from Charleston with
their household furniture, &c. Among
the captures was the entire stock OF wire
Of Mr.. Ravenel, one Of the most celebra-
ted in all the South.
From Cheraw, the route Of the army
was across the Pedee River directly to
Fayetteville, where we captured the Uni
ted States arsenal and a large quantity Of
machinery, ammunition, stores, &c
Much of the machinery that was remov-
ed from Harper's Ferry was found at this
place.
KILPATRICK' FIGHT.
On the morning of the 10th Of March
Gen. Fitzpatrick was encamqed about 10
miles from Fayetteville, and was attacked
by the whole of Wade Hampton's caval-
ry. Hampton commanded in person
The attack was very sudden and fell en-
tirely upon one brigade, which was sur
pTised, and for the time could offer little
resistance. Near the portion of the camp
which it guarded were Kilpatrick's head
quarters, and Fitzpatrick himself narrow
ly escaped capture. lie fed from the
house in which he was sleeping with his
pantaloons and slippers on, two officers