Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-20
SHERMAN.
Rebel acknowledgement of Column
bia and WinnsbOrO-A Graphic and
Interesting Narrative,

The Columbia South CaroLNiGa, now
published at Charlotte, North Carolina,
gives the following description, more in
teresting than reliable, of the occupation
of Columbia by the Federal troops. All
the accounts thus far received are from
rebel sources, and this is the most detailed
and interesting of any yet published in
the NORTH
As before stated, the departure of our
forces from Columbia took place on Fri
day morning, the 10th of February. The
noisy excitement which had marked the
preceding three days, now gave way to
those deeper emotions which found ex-
preston only in the heavy hearts and
anxious faces of the people. OF the fate
in store for them, all were alike ignorant; I;
few were not fearful. Whether Sherman
would carry out his threat 10 aburn the
very stones" Of the obnoxious State, or, on
the contrary, pursue mild and lenient
course, were doubts which were yet TO be
solved. The citizens had not long to wait
The rear of our army having passed through
between 10 and IL o'clock, q white flag,
displayed soon after from the steeple
of the city hall, announced the sur
render of the town, About II o'clock, the
Federals entered. They had pontooned
the river above or opposite Cottontown,
and with bands playing, drum corps beat
| ing, flags flying, and their men In step,
the army marched down Main street to the
capitol square. Here the celebrated "Star
Spangled Banner" was once more, amid
much vocal patriotism, placed on exhibi-
ton from the roof of both the old and new
State Houses. For the purpose of enhAnc-
ing the theatrical effect of the scene, or Of
'adding insult to injury" or of gratifying
some other curious fancy, the ceremony Of
raising the flags was, we are assured, per-
formed by two negroes. The honor of first
entering the city was claimed by the 18th
Corps. A singular feature OF the military
procession and one of which we have heard
no explanation, was the driving of car
riage profusely decorated with Northern
flags in front of the column.
THE PMLAeE.
General good order and quiet attended
the entry, but as the troops were halted fol-
several hours on Main street. stores and
dwellings soon became objects of much at
tention, and the work of plunder CON-
menced. From this time, until the lsst
Yankee left town, person nor property were
safe from the impolite intrusions upon
their welfare. Straggles, "bummers" pom
toon men, and the riff.raf of the army
were to be met in every street, and almost
every house. If they wanted q pair Of
boots they took them from your feet
Watches were in constant demAnd-in
several instances being slatched from the
persons of the best ladies in the city. Gen
tlemen on the street quickly learned to ap.
preciate the old phrase "tenspns fttgit!
Our cashier, the well known notary public
P. s. Jacobs, Esq was one Of the pupils
He is said to have received two lessons
price-s watch each. Ear and finger ring
were taken by force, and, in isolated cases
the dresses Of ladies were torn from then
bodies by villains who expected to find
Jewels or plate concealed. Search for-sil
yer and provisions was made in every con
ceiVable place.
RsmrOds were used as probes to indieati
where boxes were buried, and gardens, out
houses, cellars, gsrrets, chimneys, AMI
hooks never thought Of by anybody but
thief in search of plunder, were turned, s.
to speak, inside out. In one instance, it
reported that q box of vsluAblss worth
large amount was found under door steI
We learn that the estimates Of this char
acter of property stolen, is about two mil
lions of dollars. Many of the robbers VIII
perpetrsted personal violence, were intoz
icated by liquor found in the city. Rev
Mr.. shsnd, the Episcopalian clergyman
while conveying trunk, containing tn
communion service of silver, from tn
church to the South Carolina College, wa
accosted by q Yankee and 8 negro, VIII
compelled him, under threst of death, 7
F give it up, which was done. While one
the cups was siterward being used 10
drinking whisky, Federal soldiers
Irishmsn-recognIze the sign of the cros
, upon it, took it from the fellow and carrie
|, Ito Rev. DR.. OCOnnell, the Catholic cleI
gymsu, by whom it was restored TO h
owner. This description Of p!llage eOntiI
ued until the troops left