The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-10
THE DESTRUCTION OF COLUMBIA,
SOUTH CAROLINA
WHO pESD0NSTPl

the u. S. Senate from Gen. Sherman, not only
denying that be had Columbia burnt, but blam-
ing Gen. Hampton for the destruction Of that
city, we republish the following letter from Gen.
Hampton ON the subject:
Letter from Gea. Wade Hampton.
COLUMBIA, June 10, 1865.
To the Editor of the NJ Y Day Book:
GENTs-Tn your paper of 9th May, have
Just seen General Sherman's official report of
his march through the two Carolinas. AS this
report misrepresents me in the grossest and
falsest manner, [ trust that you will not deny
me the ri ght to vindicate myself. 1t is due to
history, if not to me, that the falsehoods 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 Hampton, who commanded
the Confederate rear guard of cavalry, had in
anticipation Of our capture of Columbia, order
ed that all cotton, public and private, should
be moved into the street and fred to prevent
our making use of it, x * \
Some of these piles Of cotton were burning, es-
pecially one in the very heart of the city, near
the cour: house, but the fire was partially sub
dued by the labor of our soldiers. x x = Be-
fore single public building had been fired
by order, the smouldering fires set by Hamptos's
order were rekindled by the wind, and commun-
ieated to the buildings around. About dark
they began to spread and got beyond control of
the rieade on duty within the city. The whole
of Wood s division was brought in, but it was
found impossible to check the flames, which,
by midnight, had become unmanageable, and
ragged until about four o clock, A. NJ. when the
wind subsiding, they were under control. = =
disclaim, on the part of my army, any agency
in this fire, but, On the contrary, claim that we
saved what of Columbia remains unconsumed
And, without hesitation, charge General Wade
Hampton with having burned his own city of
Columbia, not witt malicious intent, as the
manifestation of silly Roman stoicism," but
from the folly and want Of sense in filing it
with lint, cotton and timber. Our officers and
men on duty worked we'll to extinguish the
flames"
1t would be difficult, if not impossible, to ex-
press, in an equal number of paragraphs,
greater number Of falsehoods than contained
in the above extracts. There is not one word
Of truth in all that has been quoted, except the
statement that General Hampton commanded
the Confederate rear guard of cavalry" He
did not order any cotton "moved into the street
ard fired" On the contrary, my first act
taking command of the cavalry-to which |
was ass gned on y the night before the evacua-
ton of Columbia-was to represent to General
Beauregard the danger to the town Of firing the
cotton 10 the streets. Upon this representation,
he authorized me to gi orders that no cotton
in the town should be fired, which order was
strictly carried out. [ 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 So
distinguished citizen Of this State-whose name,
were | at liberty to give it, would be sufi-
cient voucher, even at the North, for the truth
of any statement made by him-has given to
the public a minute history Of the destruction
of the city.
From this document, which is too long for
insertion in your paper, | will make few ex
tracts, which will show how true" is General
Sherman's solemn disclaimer Of "any agency
10 this fire." and his claim to have Saved what
of Columbia remains unconsumed" The Mayor
had been informed that he would lie notified
when to surrender the city, knowing that iDef
fectual resistance on our part would furnish the,
ready excuse for all lawlessness on the part OF
the enemy. [ would not allow my troops to
become Engaged in the city, and they were
withdrawn on the morning of 18th of February.
At nine O. clock A NJ, on that day, the Mayor
at the head of the deputat!on from the City
Council, went out to meet General Sherman for
the purpose of surrendering the city, which he
did in the following letter:
"CoLUMB1A, S. c., Feb. II, 1868
To Nojor- General Sherman:
The Confederate forces having evacuated
Columbia l deem it my duty, Mayor and
representative of the city; to ask for its citizens
warfare |, therefore, respectfully request that
YOU will send sufficient guard in advance Of
the army, to maintain order in the city, and
protect the persons and property of citizens
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. 7. GOODWIN, Mayor.
The deputaton met the advance guard of the
enemy, under Colonel Stone-Fitteenth Corps
outside of the city, and Colonel Stone return
ed with them to the town in their carriage.
The Mayor reports that on surrenderinS the
city to Colonel Stone, the latter assured him OF
the safety of the citizens, and the protection OF
their property while under his command, lie
could not answer for General Sherman, who
was in the rear, but he expressed the conviction
that he would fully confirm the assurances
which be (Colonel Stone) bad given. Subse-
onentIv General Sherman did confrm them, and
that nj hit seeing that the Mayor was exhaust
ed by the labors of the day, he counselled him
70 retire to rest saying, Not fingers breadth
Mr. Mayor, of your city shall be harmed You
NAV lie down to sleep, satisfied that your town
shall be as safe in my bands as if wholly in your
own" X At about eleven o'clock the
head of the column reached Market Hall
Hardly had the troops reached the head of Main