The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-04-11
The Destruction Of Columbia S. G.

It will be remembered Gen. Sherman
in his official report of his march through
the two Carolinas, denies that he or his
army had anything to do with the destluc-
| ton of Columbia. The report says:
General Wade Hampton. who comman-
ded the Confederate rear guard Of cavalry
had in anticipation of our capture Of Col
umbia, 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 courthouse
but the fire was partially subdued by the
labor ofour soldiers. = 4 y
| disclalm, on the part of my army, any
agency in the fire, but on the contrary,
claim that we saved what of Columbia re-
mains unconsumed. And, without hesita-
ton charge Gen. W. Hampton with having
burned his own city Of Columbia, not with
malicious intent, as the manifestation of
a silly Roman stocism,' but from folly and
want of sense in filing it with lint. cotton
and finder. Our officers and men on duty
worked well to extinguish the flames
Gen. Wade Hampton has taken it upon
himself to deny the statement above set
forth, in letter addressed to, the Editors
of the New York Day Book. He says:
My first act in taking command of the
cavalry-to which was assigned only the
night before the evacuation Of Columbia
was to represent to Gen. Beauregard the
danger to the town Of firing the cotton in
the streets. Upon this representation, he
authorised me to give orders that no cotton
in the town should be fred. which order
was strictly carried out. / left the city
after the head Of Sherman's column enter
ed it, and assert, what Gun be proven by
thousands. that not one bale of cotton was
on fire when he took possession OF the
city. \ \ \ \
Anime o'clock A. NJ, on that day 9TH
Feb 1869 the Mayor, at the head Of the
deputation from the City Council. went out
to meet General Sherman for the purpose
Of surrendering the city which he did in
the following letter: "a.
COLUMBIA, s. c., Feb. II, 1865.
To Major General Sherman:
The Confederate forces having evacuated
Columbia, ] deem it my duty, as Mayor and
representatives Of the city, to ask for its
citizens the treatment accorded by the usa.
ges Of civilized warfare. / therefore res
pectfnlly request that you will send suf-
icient guard in advance of the army, to
maintain order in the city, and to protect
the persons and property of citizens.
Very respt'y, your obedient servant,
I. q. GOODWIN, Mayor.
4 X - Il
The Mayor reports that on surrendering
the town to Col. Stone, the latter assured
him of the safety of the citizens and the
protection of their property while under
his command, He could not answer for
Gen. Sherman, who was in the rear, but he
expressed the conviction that he would
fully confirm the assurances which he (Col
stone) had given. Subsequently General
Sherman did confirm them, and that night
seeing that the Mayor was exhausted by
the labors of the day, he eounseled him to
retire to rest, saying: "Not fingers breadth
MIR. Mayor, Of your city shall be harmed.
You may lie down to sleep. satisfied that
your town shall be as safe in my hands as
if wholly in your own" At
about II O'Clock the head of the columns
reached Market Hall. Hardly had the
troops reached the head of Main street
when the work ofpillage was begun.
Stores were broken open in the presence
of thousands within the first hour after
their arrival. No attempt was made to
arrest the bugIars. The authorities, Of
fcers, soldiers, all seemed to consider tia
matter of course. And woe to him who
carried watch with gold chain pendant,
or who wore choice hat or overcoat, boots
or shoes. He was stripped by ready tx
perts in the twinkling of an eye"
Thus Gen. Hampton wades through the
entire story of the destruction of Columbia
and declares that Gen. Sherman shall not
make him the scapesoat ofhis sins,