The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-31
Tho Burning OF Columbia, 8. C.-Who
Did ItY

AAo burning OA o. wv no
Did Its
A writer in the Atlanta, Ga, Planta-
ton, writing over the signature Of ''R.
A. A." says:
A few weeks ngo saw the announce
ment of the sudden death Of Mr.. r. s.
Nickeraon, the former proprietor of
Nickerson's Hotel, at Columbia, s. c.,
and more recently in charge of the Sore
ven House, Savannah. saw this news
with regret, 0s he was O warm hearted
amiable and benevolent man, and his
aptitude for his profession was renarka-
bio. I have heard it snid that there
were more mon born to mako good Pre-
sldonts of the United States than there
we're to be good hotel-keepers. Mr..
Nickcrson certainly was one. During
the war, he kept the best house in the
Confederate States, and although he was
Snown to DC Unionist, yss his uniform
Kindness to our soldiers made him very
popular. he accumulated all independ.
ent fortune, much Of which was invested
IN his hotel. When Sherman was at
Dalton, [ happened to be in Columbia,
mud Mr. Nickerson asked mo if thought
Sherman would ever reach Atlanta? I
replied, Yes. he then said:
''Do you think he will get to Colum-
bia?"
Ireplicd: "If he over passes Kenne.
saw Mountain, he will sweep over the
country like the waters of mill-dam
broke loose. and the very point lie will
make for will be Columbia.''
at tlis A1r. Nickersop looked con-
cerned, and he asked me, in n very ear
nest manner, what I would advise hin,
to do in such an event. Said I:
"When Sherman gets here, make
friends Of the mammon Of unrighteous-
ness; place your house, your horses,
your wines. and everything else that you
have, ut his disposal, and ask h..n to
protect ycn This is the only course for
you to pursue. This may save you; I
know Of nothing else.'' '
In due time Sherman reached Colum-
bia; the city was sacked and burned.
and Niclerson, like everybody else, lost
ali he hnd. After the surrender, ut
Charlotte. was returning home, and in
passing through Columbia, called on
Nickerson. He was living in small
house on the outskirts of what was once
the city. He looked haggard, and I
may almost say despairing. After bid
ding mo welcome, he said:
swell, Oolonel, I took your advice.
When Sherman got hero, I turned over
all had to him and his staff I wore
myself down in waiting on them, and at
q O'Clock, in the evening, went to my
room and put on my slippers and threw
myself on the bed for short nap. [
had scarcely composed myself, when
Isaac, whom you knew we'll as my bill
llard-marker, came rushing into my
room and said to me: "Mr. Nickerson,
you had better get Mrs. Nickerson ont
OF this hotel; they arc going to burn this
town at 8 o'cocki" He snys he was so
bewildered, that he simply remarked: !:
"Great God, mol"
"Yes they are. said Isaac, "because 1
heard General Barnes and the officers
say that the Gro would commence ut 8
o'clock, while I was waiting on them Mt
supper ~
Nickerson said the boys manner was
30 earnest, and his expression SO indica-
tive of alarm. that lie rushed down stairs,
aud as he approached the office, he saw
the staff officers examining his horse
blankets. "Great heavens, gentlemen,
what docs this mean?" They sneering!y
replied: eve just thought we would ap-
propriate these, as you will not need
them any more" He then went to Gen.
Barnes and begged him to save lis
house. which he agreed to do. and or.
dered a detachment of men to be in
readiness. Nickerson then commenced
to collect all the blankets and had them
saturated, and even procured an engine
Sure enough, at 8 O'Clock, the rockets
went up, and in ten minutes the whole
city was in flames. and thousands Of
poor women and children were running
to and fro, shrieking and screaming in
despair and alarm. Nickerson succeeded
IN preventing the flames from reaching
his house for some time. until baud Of
soldiers came rushing into the house aud
called for him to bring out Confede-
:ate flag which they had heard he had
Bring it out, d-n you, or we will MUIR
der yon." He brought it out, and they
trnmpcd it under foot and then proceed
ell to cut the hose and fire lis house.
He said:
''In ton minutes more I was ruined
man. I stood bewil,lered mud broken
spirited, looking upon the charred ruins
OF all that was loft mo Of long life of
energy aud toll"
And yet Sherman says Hampton burned