The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-05-06

| 80 ~ ue1u "a Tue Column fedcnet
the oank OF the Congaree, opposite Colum
Ola. but too late to save the fine bridv,
"hlca spanned the river at that point,
was burned by the enemy. While waitin.
Tor the pontoons to come to the front VI
could see tue people running about tn,
streets of ofColumoia, and occasionally smal
podles OF cavalry. but no masses. a sin
gle gun o: Capt. De Grass battery was fir
ing at their cavalry squads, but I checked
bis firing. limiting him to few shots a,
the unfinished State House walls. and 3
few shells at the railroad depot, to sca,te,
the people who were seen Carving awav
, sacks o. corn and meal that we needed !.
IheIe was no white flag or manifestations
OF Surrender, l directed General Howard
not 10 cross directly in front Of Coluu, bia
oui 10 cross the Sa!uda at the Factory three
miles above, and atterward Broad river
50 as 70 approach Colum bia from the north
Within an hour Of the arrival of General
towards head OF column at the river op.
pos!te Columbia, the head Of column Of the
leis wing also appeared, and I directed
General Slocum 10 cross the Saluda at Zion
Snurch, and thence to take roads direct fol
WlnnsOoro, breaking mp en- route the rail.
roads and bridges about Aston.
ENTRY INTO COLUMBIA.
Col. Howard Effected crossing of the
Saluda, near the Factory, on the 10th. skir.
mlshing with cavalry, and the same night
made flying bridge across Broad river,
which he crossed over Stones brigade. al
WOODS division, 18th corps. Under cover
OF this brigade pontoon bridge was laid
on the morning Of the 18th. 1 was in per-
son at this bridge, and at ii a. m. learned
that the Mayor of Columbia had come out
IN carriage and made formal surrender
OF the city to Col. Stone, 25th Iowa. com.
mandlng Sd brigade, lst division. 18th
corps. About the same time a small party
Of the l7th corps had crossed the Conearee
in skid, and entered Columbia from a
point Immediately west. In anticipation
OF the occupation ofthe city, had made
written orders to Gen. Howard touching
the conduct Of the troops. These were to
destroy absolutely all arsenals and public
property not needed for our own use. as
well as all railroads, depots and machinery
useful in war to an enemy, but to spare ali
dwellings, colleges, schools, asylums and
harmless private property. was the first
to cross the poutoon bridge. and in com.
pany with Gen. Howard, rode into Me
city. The day was clear, bht q perfect tenn.
pest Of wind was raging. The brigade of
Col. Stone was already in the city, and was
prevailed. Gen. Wade Hampton, who
commanded the Confederate rear guard of
had, in anticipation Of our capture
of Columbia, ordered that all cotton. pub
lie and private, shoubld be moved into the
streets and fired, to prevent our making
use OF it. Bales were piled everywhere,
the rope and bagging cut, and tufts of cot
In the trees and against houses, 50 as to re-
semoie snow-storm. Some Of these piles
OF cotton were burning, especially one ia
he very heart of the city, near the court
house. but the fire was partially subdued
by the labor of our soldiers. During the
day the 18th corps passed through Coium.
bia, and out on the Camden road. The
l7th did not enter the town at all; and. as
nave befor stated, the left wing and cavalry
did not come within two miles of the town.
THE BURNING OF THE CITY.
Before one single public building had
been fired by order, the smoulderinS fires
set by Hampton's order. were rekindled
by the wind, and communicated TO the
buildings around. About dark they be.
gan to spread and got beyond the control
Of the brigade on duty within the city.-
The whole of Woods division was brought
In, but it Was found impossible to check
come unmanageable, and ragged until about
y. M, when the wind subsiding, they
were got under control. was up nearly
all night, and saw Generals Howard. Lo.
gan, Wood. and others, laborinR to save
houses and protect families thus suddenly
deprived Of shelter, and Of bedding and
wearing apparel. disclaim, on the part
If my army, any agency in this fire; but
N the contrary, claim that We saved what
If Columbia remaining unconsumed, and.
without hesitation, charge General Wade |
Hampton with having burned his own
:ity Of Columbia, not with q malicious in.
ent, or - the manifestation of a silly Ro-
nan stoicism," but from folly and want of |
ense In filing it with lint, cotton, and tim
Ter. Our officers and men on duty work.
d well to extinguish the flames; but 9TH
lad long been imprisoned there, rescued
y rs, may have assisted in spreading the
ire after 1t had once begun, and they may
ave INDUCED in unconcealed joy TO see
be ruin Of the capital of South Carolina.
During the 18th and l9th, the arsenal, rail-
Dad depots, machins-shops, foundries,
nd other buildings were properly destroy
d by detailed working parties, and the
abroad track torn up and destroyed down
p in the direction of Winnsboro.
PURSUIT OF BEAuREoARD.
At the same time the left wing and cav.
Try had crossed the Saluda and Bread riv. Il
rs, breaking up the railroad about Aston
1u Ms 0lk0 w a. SAAV OA2NH0 0VAOoS 1AOdu
yer on the Bramhurg xoad, the main body
loving straight for Winnsboro, which
eneral SlOcum reached on he2lst Of Feb
aary. Ho caused the railroad to be de-
.royed up to Blackstakes depot, and then ,
lrned to Rocky Mount, on the Catawba {
yer The Doth corps reached Rocky I
[ount on the I'D, laid a pontoon bridge,
nd crossed over during the 2sd. kilpat- ,
ck's cavalry followed, anderossed over in l
terrible rain during the night Of the 2Sd, .
nd moved up to Lancaster, 1 h., With orders to
rent on Charlotte, North Carolina, to {
hich General Beauregard and all the cav
ry Of the enemy had retreated from Co
Imbia. / was also aware that Cheatham's +,
,rps, of Hoods old army, was aiming to i
lake . junction with Beauregard at Char,
tie, having been cut of by our rapid
ovement on Columbia and Winnsboro. I
rom the Esd to the 18th We had heavy &
Ind. swelling the rivers and making the
,ads almost impasssble, The 10th csrPsI