Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-21


i1Rs a. Mssl Wlsk pistols 81 tkst ksssa Fsfa'sa %
ssSsal any sScret OOnaded 10 them when taken By
force returned to the family aud, finally, were in
Sentimental in saving fifty bales of cotton their
quarters.
These statements, corroborated by score OF
others, prove eonelusively that whatever may be
the designs Of the Federal officers, the prime object
OF the men is robbery.
One prisoner, brought into Charlotte, had upon
his person seven watches, aud the presumption Is
that every Yankee in that army is equally burdened
with wealth. 80 80
Another statement, published in the Cdrolinian,
says that among the horses captured on Gen. Ches-
nuts place, was the superb stallion presented to
President Davis blythe Vieeroy Of Egypt. One OF
the Yankees, after riding the animal through the
streets, took off the saddle aud patting him the
back, remarked-s'YOu're too fne to ride in these
parts. and wen send you 20 Old Abe."A D.
MORE ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA.
A letter from Columbia in the South Cdroiiaidn,
gives some additional particulars of the demonac
villainy of the Yankees during their stay in Co
unlbia. The writer says that the very affairs the
Catholic Convent were desecrsted, and the Lady
Superior while appealing, with cross in hand, TO the
humanity OF the soldiers, rudely thrust aside
The building was afterwards fired. The Methodist
Chrrch-an humble edidce-was likewise entered,
and unable to do more, the scoundrels deiaced the
monument of the venerable Bishop Capers, and
spoke OF him as''the first damned secessionist."-
They then went into the parsonage, robbed il Of
eve fything abused the PASTORS wife, stole the
iannion service, drank the consecrated wine aud
blasphemed God and Jesus Christ in the most hor
aid manner.
The couhagration which commenced in the even
ing of Friday destroyed nearly four-GAhs of the
city. The horrors OF that night dream
Pen cannot describe them. The city was like a
sea of fire Thousands of drunken brutes were
rushing through the streets with torches in their
hands, shouting, shrieking, cursing, and even hd-
ding and dancing over our burning homes. Women
and children were driven from their dwellings By
the hames only to be robbed Of the few articles
they had gathered in their fight. Little ones with
tnv bundles Of their own in their arms brought
them forth only TO see them thrown back into their
burning home, or scattered in fragments At their
feet. Sick and dying went by on beds to seek shell
ter In the woods, and old men, whose wGte locks
ami venerable aspect should have spared them a
reproach, received indgnites that none but hearts
utterly sunk in deprayity could have prompted.
Throughout the trying emergency, our ladies
act ed nobly-heroically. Some Of them, with pis-
tolls at their heads, refused to yield their jewels or
re veal the place OF their concealment while others
met the Hirelings with undaunted front that
made them shrink, abashed, from their presence.
It is hut truth to say that some of the enemy,
both officers and prvates behaved well, and assist
ed our citizens to the best OF their ability Int IRON
tho threats constantly made by others to burn the
whole town, and from the covert understanding
which appeared TO exist between the soldiers, /
shall never be convinced by any evidence to the
eoatrary, that Columbia was not burned by per-
mission, if not by order.
The apOlogstS Of Gen. Sherman may say that his
soldiers were drunk that personally tried to stay
their excuses, and regretted their crimes but had
Gen. Sherman desired 10 extend that protection
which he had assured the Mayor and other citizens
would be given to ALL had he desired to save the
city from pilage destruction, he had but to order
division of sober troops to sweep the streets, aud
the disaster would not have occurred.