The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-27
THE BURNING OF COLUMBIA.
A Northern Soldiers Account of it.
Charles CftY lIoval Latelliqencer.

Charles City (Io,ca) Iatelhgcnccr.
The citizens anxious to purchase favor
and be as hospitable as possible distributed
wine and other liquors freely, and the
soldiers were soon so drunk that they be.
came uumanageable. All unite in testi-
flying to the universal kind treatment
and gentlemanly behavior of the troops
until the liquor was so freely distributed.
Liquor destroyed Columbia. Towards
evening the pillaging became frightful.
Every store and house was entered. The
slaves intoxicated with their new found
freedom, furnished more whiskey to the
soldiers, and pointed OUT the places where
their former owners had secreted their
money, jewelry, etc. Language fails to
convey to you an adequate idea of the
scenes presented that afternoon and even
ing. Large stores of every kind were
broken into and completely destroyed.
If the door was locked, blow from the
butt of musket or a stroke with an ak
rendered keys useless, and swarm Of
drunken soldiers and negroes would
crowd in, cursing, swearing and shouting,
each taking what he most fancied, would
carry it until he saw something he liked
better, then throw it away. Silver ware
was found iu large quantities, cake bas-
kets gold-lined goblets, knives, forks,
spoons, pitchers, etc, in great profusion.
Music stores were opened and thousands
of pieces of sheet music scattered to the
winds, violins crushed, guitars split, pi-
a1os ruined and musical instruments of
all kinds forever spoiled. Bookstores
were opened and the most costly and
valuable books wantonly torn up or
trampled in the mud. Dry good stores
were scattered every place. Splendid
ribbons were used to tie tobacco in
dress goods were torn and trampled under
foot; in short, everything the brutes could
lay their hands on was taken or Destroy
ed. Over one hundred printing presses
were destroyed. The Catholic church
was entered and a golden crucifix set
with Jewels and estimated to be worth
$33 900 carried off. Other churches
were entered, the tassels cut from the
pulpit cushions and next day adorned
the heads of the mules in the baggage
train. Had the work of pillaging been
confined here, bad as it was, it would not
have been quite so disgraceful as it turn.
ed out to be. Guards had been placed
at private houses, but these were often
eluded or furnished liquor so that they
turned to pillaging also. Tie slaves
were willing guides, and scene of rob-
berry began, disgracelul not only to our
army but to the cause of humanity. |
hesitate to write more, but | have not
told you title of the scenes. There
seemed to be no intention to commit
acts of personal violence, their whole
attention seemed to be devoted to the
purpose of plundering and destroying
property. The soldiers entered the hous-
es and helped themselves. The furniture
was defaced, dishes broken, carpets cut
up and made into saddle blankets, win.
dow curtains torn down, the curtains
taken to put under saddles, feather beds
ripped open and the contents scattered
over the house, trunks broken open, pri.
vate letters taken, jewelry stolen, and
laces, ribbons, etc., trampled under foot.
The cases were taken from the pillows
and converted into SACKS in which the
plunder could be carried off. Pictures of
friends were taken, and in many cases
even the family Bible. Wardrobes were
torn open, and women's and children's
clothing aud underclothing taken and
torn into strips, thrown away or burned.
All this was done while the women and
children were in the house, huddled to-
gether in frightened group, not daring
10 say a word. 0, it was heartsickening,
MGR. than once felt as if it were dis.
grace to belong to the same army that
the vile drunken specimens of humanity
did. Night came on. The drunken
soldiers reeled through the streets, ours.
ing and threatening. The wind was still
blowing furiously and the cotton in va
rious portions of the city still burning.
Soon the fire began to spread, whether
accidental or as the result of malicious
ness is not known. Soldiers, negroes,
aud the escaped prisoners soon helped
to spread the fire, running from house to
house with burning brands. In vain the
guards sought TO stop them, in vain the
officers and thousands of soldiers labor
el to put out the fire. The demon Of
destruction was abroad, and in q short
time about so or 60 squares right in the
most compact portion of the city were in
flames. The flames leaped and curled
and danced like demons, and shot up
hundred feet lighting the country for
miles around. Men, women and chill
dreu were running to and fro, in their
night dress, seeking safety from the fire,
their shrieks mingling with the curses
and shouts of the drunken soldiers. But
1 will not tire you farther with details, [
have only lifted the vail and given you
partial glimpse. Everything I have told
you is true, and took place in the space
of few hours. 1t was all against orders
and our generals tried TO stop the fearful
tide. The guards did we'll but were
overpowered. Sherman determined the
thing should stop, and ordered whole
Division of our Corps-some five or six
thousand strong-to clear the streets at
the point of the bayonet, but by this
time nothing could check the flames.
Next day many were missing and it was
ascerlained that between 80 and 40 SOL
diers had been burned to death being
too drunk to escape. Some of them
were heard to cry most piteously from
the fire, but nothing could help them,
and in the morning their roasted remains,
blstered and charred, told the horrible
tale. The State House did not suffer
much, and was urharmed by the fire, ex.
cepling some carved ornarented stone
work, which was destroyed by the in.
tense heat. Such was the burning Of
Columbia, and the sun next morning saw
sad sight. Thousands were homeless,
penniless, without food or shelter, and
with scarcely sufficient clothing, hudd!ing
around the blackened ruins of what had
been their homes. Some folded their