The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-20
THE NEWS.
THE FALL OF COLUMBIA ~ SlIERMAN'S
MOVEMENTS.

As stated by us on Saturday, on the
authority of dispatch from General
Beauregard to the President. Sherman
marched into and took possession of Co
lumbia last Friday morning, our troops
withdrawing from the city just as his
forces crossed the Broad river, several
miles above. We have just now no
means of ascertaining the amount Of
Government property necessarily lett to
fall into the hands Of the enemy. We,
however. know that for more than week
the removal from the place Of Govern
mcnt stores and other property has been
pushed forward with all possible dis
patch, which gives us reason to hope that
the most valuable portion had been got
ten away in safety. We had there, it
seems, quantity of medical stores,
one half Of which were brought off, the
rest destroyed by our authorities, their
removal being found impracticable. 1t
was reported on Saturday that the
Treasury Note Lithogralh Establishment
had been left behind. This the Treasury
authorities here state to DC Incorrect
They state that the whole establishment,
plates, paper and furniture, were brought
North thirty-six hours before the occu
patton Of the place by the Yankees
The female employees in the Treasury
Department, as we stated On Saturday,
got of to Charlotte, North Carolina,
several days before the advent Of Shcr-
man Some of them, whose homes are
here, have arrived in this city. Most Of
them, we understand, saved their bag
paoc, but lost their furniture. 1t will
be recollected that when Mr.. Memmin-
ger, then Secretary Of the Treasury,
carried these ladies to South Carolina for
safety, and to lessen the demand for
food in Richmond, he permitted each OF
them to carry bed, some chairs and
other furniture These household arts
cles now swell the list Of Sherman
trophies.
We expressed the opinion on Satur-
day that Sherman's next step from CO.
lumbia would DC in the direction Of
Florence, South Carolina, the junction OF
the Wilmington and Manchester railroad
with the railroad running north from
Charleston, that point being in the rear
both Of Wilmington and Charleston; but
we have now, however, reason to believe
that his main column will advance dl-
rectly north towards Charlotte, North
Carolina, and will content himself with
striking the railroad at Florence with his
cavalry. This last plan he may be pre-
vented from executing by the activity
and address of General Hampton. Ii
is necessary to his safety that
he should move, as he has done
hitherto, with his army well massed
A strict adherence to this policy has
prevented our numerically inferior forces
from giving him battle. They have been
obliged, by the sheer weight Of his
columns, to fall back as he advanced, blu,
they have done so in good order, and have
kept up a continual and severe skirmisl
with his vanguard. Under all the Cir
cumstances, we will not venture pre-
diction as to where our troops will fine
it practicable to make a determined
stand. We feel assured, however, that
General Beauregard will let slip no op
portunity which may present itself @
striking the enemy a telling blow, ant
believe he will risk much upon such a
chance.
The last Columbia papers received
estimate Sherman's force at fifty-liv'
thousand men They also state tina
Sherman enforces strict discipline ant
Furnishes with the utmost severity an,
Of his troops who are guilty Of outrage
upon citizens.
TIE LATEST OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Official intelligence was received a
the War Office last night that Sherman
was, on yesterday morning, advancing
towards, and was near Winnsboro', i;
point On the railroad leading to Char
lotte, and thirty miles north Of Columbia
Charlotte is about one hundred mile
north Of Columbia. Salisbury, where il