Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-04-05

Of Columbia.
Occupation cad Destruction Of 'Cdtgna5i' hy
TIE Observation-Disclosures qtaa!msf.' Of tie
C;ti.eas-raadaIism of tie IaeeNdiarg,
W. T. Sherman, and has stcrilegious Ar
my-Buniny cfa. Nary's catso!ic Col
lsge, N,mnery, DC, dc. -.
CoLuapIA, S. C., March II, 1865.
Eplross PAcIelcAroK: preface the fol-
lowing remarks by stating, on the vcracity Of
my sacerdotal character, thatsevery fact hal
lege hiss been witnessed by myself or related
Co me by mest respectable authority. This
letter will be read by the citizens hero who
have passsd through thesGure shocking scene
as myself. and pers onal motives REQUIRE me,
even if otherwise disposed, tu relate the plain,
simple truth will therelops, SUPPRESS ex :.
aggerated rumors and all reports which
could not fully spostantiete before court Of
ju tiee.
On the 18th u,t.,. Columbia was occupied
by Confederate forces in snatl numbers. Cen
eral Wade Hampton -wss in full command,
and used all his military skill to keep the en-
e,ny at bay, evidently with che object Of re-
meYineas much of the public property as
possible. lie succeeded in this only to 2
very liuiited extent.
The enemy, in the meantime, were drawn
ND ia line Of battle, on the hills overlooking
Columbia, and separated from it by the
Bread and Saluda arivers, as well also as the
Conearee river, which magnificent and navi-
gable stream is formed. at Columbia by the
confluence OF both the former rivers.
Early on the 18th, the, enemy opened fire
an the city from their guns, and discharged
sono ono hundred aud fifty or two hundred
shells, which fell,. with, great accuracy, into
the most crowded and deusely populated sec
tions. 4 few skells were thrown ct various
other points. And this was the first act Of
unwarranted cruelty which the. Inhabitants
exosrienced atsthe hands Of TIE foe, There
were few, Rsny, soldiers, perhaps somest.a ag-
glers, at the points. selected by the Yankee
fire and no notice whatsoever was served On
our military authorities or the citizens.
4 scene Of horror, confusion and alarm
wss the result Women running away dis
1rscted from their houses, and bearing or
their tsrobbing bosoths one, and in severa'
;os.ance.. two infants-the7 united shricks
and ,..mentatitons Of whom reminded one vi
vluiy- Ot Sinli0E StSaeS ~ VIE NSo'' uS.'ou vi
Jerusalem, has described by the historian
Josepbus. Old men, too. shared the ssne
sgonies, and all were beuunabed WITH fear
aud stricken with terror. Others, who had
witnessed similar scenes, and were accns:om.
al 70 tAc roar of caauon, looked on calmly
and vaiulv cndeayored to assuage the fears oi
the sffriehted IT is lsmentabie to relate that
wbilst ,histragedy was taking place, some Oh
Whecler''s man were busily engaged plumber
inc tae holses Of the wo-stricken fugitivcs
tut. ne,ersh.lsss. such wss truly the case.
OF course, as ,l.aa, little damage was done
hy the si,ells, eud no bodily injury was in
a;fie5. 4 fes houses we're struck; the new
State Ionse bears a few slight marks-mere
;ndenta.ions. If the incendiary and sacri'i
reous Sherman witnessed the fight -et the
womenaDd olhers, or'M he could, by sop.t
ms,;,. c,ntrivancr, hear the throbbines .
u. ;,c,,-; hea-.s, and1count the vibrations o
So yu;s, a. 5.,pi.l adeafR tiSir vitality, ,lr
;,,leed wpr,.th % rayelel icta. fast Of ser
snaliry chicil lew tYrarts ever tasted.
Bnt all this is only triaing With the grand