Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-03-28
LETTER FROM CEN. WADE HAMPTON.
CoLyuB1A, S. c., June 10Th, 1865.

CoLyuBIA, S. c., June 10Th, 1865.
To the Editor. Of the NeS York Day Book
GENTS: In your paper OF the 9Th May,
| haye lust seen General Sherman's official re-
port Of his march through tie two Caroines
As this report misrepresents me in the eros
not deny me the right to vindicate myself. Ii
il due to history, il not to me, that the false
hoods of General Sherman in reference to
the destruction Of this city should be exposed.
This shall be done in the briefest possible
manner.
The report says: " General Wade Hsmp
ton, who commanded the Confederate rear
guard of cavalry, had, in anticipation of our
capture of Columbia, ordered that all cotton,
public and private, should be moved into the
street and fred to prevent our making use OF
it. Some of these piles of cotton
were burning, especially one in the very heart
of the city, near the court house, but tue fire
was partially subdued 10y the labor of our sol-
diers. x Before one single public
building had been fired BY order, the stnoul-
dering fires set by Hampton's order were re-
kindled By the wind, ard communicated to
the buildings around. About dark they be
gan to spread aud got beyond control of the
brigade On duty within the city. The whole
of Woods division was brought In, bnt it " as
found impossible TO check the hamcs which,
by midnight, had become uamanegeable, and
"a red antil about four o'clock, a. m, when
the wind subsiding, they we're got urder con-
troll. 4 / dsclaim, on the part Of
nv army, any agency in this FIRE, but, on the
contrary, claim that We saved what of Co.
lumbia remains unconsumed. And, without
hesitation, charge Gen. Wade Hampton with
having burned bis own city of Columbia, not
xith malicious intent, as Tie manifestation
of = silly Roman stoicisn.' but from folly
and want of sense in filing it with lint, cot
ton and tinder. Our officers and men on du
ty worked we'll o extinguish the flames"
1t would be difficult, if not impossible, TO
express. in an equal number Of paragraphs,
a greatner number of falsehoods thar arc
contained in the above extracts. There Is
rot one word of. truth in all that has been
quoted, except the statement that Seen.
Hampton commanded the Confederate rear
guard of cavalry" did not order any cot
ton "moyed into the street and fred On
the contrary, my first act on taking command
Of the caralry-to which was assigned only
the night before the evacution of Columbia
was to represent TO General Beauregard the
danger to the town Of firing the cotton in
the streets. Upon this representation, be
authorized me to give orders that no cotton
in the town should be fred, which order was
strictly carried out. I left the city after the
head Of Sherman's column entered it, and
assert, what can be proved by thousands, that
not one bale of cotton was on fire when he
took possession of the city. His assertion to
the contrary is false, and he knows it to be 30.
A distinguished citizen of this State-whose
name, were ct liberty to give it, would bo
sufficient voucher even at the North, for the
truth of any statement made by hiul-has
given to the pnblic minute history of the
destruction of the city.
From this document, which is too long for
insertion in your paper, will make few e1.
tracts, which will show how true is General
Sherman's solemn disclaimer Of Sany agency
In this fire." and his claim to have "saved
what of Columbia remains unconsumed."
The Mayor had been informed that he would
! be notified when to surrender tho city, know.
iop that intellectual resistance on our part
would furnish the ready excuse for all law.
lessncss on the part CT the cncmy. would
not allow my troops to become engaged in
the city, and they were withdrawn on the
morning of the 18th Of February.
At nine o'clock, a. M, on that day, the
Mayor, at the head Of the deputation from
the City Council, went out to meet General
Sherman for the purpose OF surrendcring the
city, which he.did the infollowing letter:
"CoLUNBla, S. c., Feb. 18th, 1855.
To Ayor General Shcrmaa:
"The Confederate forces, having cvacusted
Colum bia, deem it my duty, as Mayor and
representative Of the city. TO ask for its citi-
zens the treatment accorded by the usagcs
of civilized warfare. / therefore respectfully
request that you will send sufficient guard
ia advance of the army, to maintain order in
the city, and to protect the. peraons and prop
ertY OF citizens. Very respectfully, your
obediant servant.
[Sisnod] T. G. GooDxrE, Mayor"
The deputaton met the advance guard Of
the enemy, under Colonel Stone-Fiftcenth
| Gorps-outside ofthe city, and Colonel Stone
returned with them to the town in their
carriage.
The Mayor reports that on surrendering
| the city to Colonel Stone, the latter assured
him Of the safety of the citizens, and tue
protection of their property while under his
command. He could not answer for General
Sherman, who was in the rear, hut he ex-
pressed the conviction that be would fully
confirm the assurances which he (Colenel
Stone) had given. Subsequently General
Sherman did confirm them, and that night,
seeing that the Mayor was exhausted by the
Iabors Of the day, he counseled him to retire
to rest, saying, "Nut fingers breadth, Mr.
Miyor, of your city shall be harmed. You
may lie down to sleep, ,atisfed that your
town shall be as safe in my hands AZ If Who'll.
IL in your own" II "At abou,
eleven O'clock the head of the column reached
Ssrlset Hall. Hardly had the troops reached
the head of Main street, when the work o.
/ piilree was begnn. StarGs were hroken open
= AZ, r.->o-,-, f kd<r,rx ,f7a rys<s,Sa TIA Gr~e