New-York tribune., 1873-05-07
THE BURNING or COLUMBIA.
WADE HAMPToN's STATEMENTS DENIED.

WADE HAMPTON > STAIEMENIS DENIED,
WASHINGTON, May 5.-The testimony of
Wade Hampton before the British and American Mixed
Claims Commission. in regard to the burning OF Column
bia g. o. printed in THE TRIBUNE OF Thursday last has
reopened the old controversy about the responsibility
for the destruction OF the town. and its settlement
parently as distant When Gen. shermans at
tention was called Saturday to Gen. HamptOns tes-
timony he denounced the statements made in 1t ut
tery incorrect He repeated what he has often said
FORE that the Federal troops did fire Colum-
ba and positively denied that he had ever made any
| such admission. He also has been before the Claims
Commission and the following is copy Of his testimony
| on the point at issue
@. Please state where you were when the fire broke
QUIT A. The fire was burning day and half or two
days before got into Columbia. but was local. con
fined the big bridge the river the depot known
the Charleston depot close by the bridge, aud the
railroad depot the opposite side OF the town. known
as the Charlotte depot and cotton piled up along the
various streets which was burning at least u hours
fore any soldier belonging to my army had got within
the limits Of the town or Columbia On the night Of
arrival after had quiet possession OF the city
for about hours fire gnated near the old market
house 1t must have been after dark, for the light
shining on the walls OF the room in which was, aud
| sent one Of my ads-de-camp down about mile TO see
what was the matter; ho came back and told that
market house was burning; that the wind was
very strong, and the fire was spreading; I in.
| quired II he bad seen the commanding officer
of the brigade which constituted the provost guard and
II be doing his best to prevent extension of the
Woods himself on the ground and that the troops
seemingly doing all th0y could 10 check limit the
flames 10 that one block That must have been about
1880 o'clock In the evening; had entered the town
about IL o'clock that morning The fire continued
| crease and second time sent OF my aids down.
becoming uneasy about t and no returned. saying
| fire appeared to be beyond all control He mad seen
Gen. Logan and Gen. Howard there whose troops occu
pied the city; Howard being la chief cOmmmand, Logan
| In command OF tho Fifteenth corps, and Charles r.
Woods in command Of the troops Immediately quartered
Ia the city, The fire continued to until after mid
night, when went down myself 10 walk around the
burning district; the naHes carried sometimes
| Two DlOcks Dy lhe iOrse OF the wind, and the
fire spreading IN every direction and from natural
causes. with my about IL o'clock, that
mOnng, as rode In the City OF Columbia. cotton piled
along the main street. which, If prolonged, would run up
against the State House. very the old
reported that the hre had originated. The wind was
very strong, without cloud IN the sky, aud it tossed
and pitched the cotton about lodging 1t IN the
on the caves Of houses
Wade Hampton also quotes Gen. Howard "a authority
for his assertion that tho rs started by the Federal
troops and produces letters from Gov James L. Orr and
Gen. John T. Preston, who say that they heard Gen
Howard make the admission In Wade Hamptons pres
a witness before the Commission
Gen Howard testified that when he entered Columbia
with the advance guard he found immense plle Of
cotton broken open III one Of the streets and on fire. aud
that, after having made disposition Necessary for The
protection OF property ne rode To the Charleston Rail
road DopOl, winch he found smOdering ruin having
been burned by the Rebel troops before eyacuafin
Columbia; lie also testified that large mob roalned
through the streets at will until checked by the Union
force, but no cotton destroyed by order of Cen
Sherman. The fire first started by the rereating Con
iedeTates was burning when the Union ruops entered
the city brisk Wind spread the names until nearly
half OF the city was consumed, and then it was subued
by the Union troops.
In regard to the destruction of cotton by the Union
forces, Gen. Howard testihes follows;
BY Mr.. waikert
q General. as matter Of fact. did not tho ITni.ed
States army, or part OF 10, undcr the command OF ON
did IT, ''- ''''