The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-20
COLUMBIA, S. C..
4 MEMBER Of tn. 4th Iowa Consults His Di

COLUMBIA, $. G.
4 Member OF the 4th Iowa ConsuIts His Diary.
To THE EDITOR: have always taken great
interest in the historical communications of
old comrades, whether they wore the pumpkin
rinds, the chevron, or simply stood high pri-
vate in the rear rank. All tell more or less
| truth, and all make more or less mistakes;-
caused, no doubt, by relying entirely, or at least
| to great extent, on memory. Old comrades,
memory of 90 years back is very treacherous.
would not write now if l relied on my men,
| DRY, as have set out to write, about Columbia,
S. c.; but l. fortunately for myself if not others,
| kept journal of my more than four years
| army life. On the 18th of February, 1865, we
camped within 10 miles of Columbia and on
the 10th marched before the men had break
| tasted. 1t had rained all night, but we had a
good meal prepared and nearly cooked in the
morning-chicken stewed with sweet potatoes
and fried fresh pork and corn cakes, also coffee.
But when the drum sounded the " fall in "
rolled up my wet dog tent, took some chicken
and pork in my haversack, coffee in my cup,
| and called Co. A to fall in" If there had
been nothing unusual we would have finished
breakfast but already the Second Brigade,
First Division, Fifteenth Corps, was skirmish-
ing with the Johnnies, and as the Third Bril-
gade came next in line of march, and the 4th
Iowa in advance of the brigade, we could not
delay a moment for breakfast. The Second
Brigade drove the enemy back about four miles
to Congeree Greek, where, Just across the bridge,
strong fort was built and two feldpieces
mounted. The Second Brigade could not drive
| them from this strong position. After couple
of hours skirmishing and artillery firing, the
Third Brigade moved to the left, and each man
in the 4th Iowa took rail on his shoulder,
! carried them about 40 rods. and bridged small
| stream. After going about half mile we
formed in line of battle, and the other four
regiments of the Third Brigade-the 9th, 25th,
Both and 3lst Iowa-formed line about so yards
in rear of us. The 4th Iowa deployed and ad-
vanced as skirmishers, tho other regiments of
the brigade following in supporting distance.
We passed around one small swamp but soon
came to another, which proved to be about 300
yards wide and passing our TANKS, and from
knee to waist deep. Through this swamp we
went, and as we came out on the other side the
enemy retired in front; made a right half
wheel and moved toward the fort, drove the
skirmishers of the enemy across the creek and
were soon on the south bank of the creek
within rs yards of the enemy's works. An
hour and a half was consumed in etfecting the
crossing OF the creek As soon as we gained a
foOthold the enemy retired, and we were in the
fort before he was out of muskct range.
Gen. Billy Sherman was in with us soon, and
remarked that we looked as if we had been
bathing, and by his appearance we thought a
bath would not hurt him, as he was covered
and camped, or stacked arms as if in camp.
The rest of the brigade joined us here, and We
camped for the night.
On the 10th of February the Second Divis-
ion of the Fifteenth Corps moved forward and
drove the rebels across the Congeree River, be-
low Columbia, where they had a battery on the
east bank of the river.
About noon the First Division, Fifteenth
Corps, moved forward and formed in line of
battle in front of Columbia. with nothing but
the river intervening. De Grasses battery of
PARROTS took position about 20 steps in front of
us and shelled the town. | was amused to see
the gunners knock the chimneys off of build
ings While watching, several officers assem-
bled in group, Sherman among them, and
q request was made to throw a few shots at the
arsenal, over mile oway to the left front. De
Grasse handed his feldglass to Sergeant,
asked him to observe the building designated
as the arsenal The Sergeant said II can
knock the chimney off," There being several,
chimney was designated, the Sergeant
trained his pet, fired, and in due time the
chimney flew.
About p. IN. we moved up the river about
three miles, where the bridge was, but saw
only the piers. However, pontOon was already
laid, and we crossed over the Saluda River and
moved on, as we thought, to camp for the night;
but the Third Brigade moved on with the pom
toon train to the Broad River, and received
orders to not light any fires and be ready to
cross the river as soon as ordered. We lay there,
and, it being quite cold, was anything but com
Portable. Towards midnight picket was sent
across and erected breastworks. The 31st Iowa
crossed as fast as the three pontoon boats could
carry them, then the 30th Iowa. then the 9th,
and then the 25th. Day was now breaking,
and the 4th Iowa followed, and by a. m. of
the 18th of February Col. Stones Iowa Brigade
was on the Columbia side of the Saluda and
Broad River, which join just above Columbia
and form the Congeree River The 31st Iowa,
part of the Both, and the picket began Skin
mishing as soon as light enough, and our lines
were gradually moved forward as fast as boat
load after boatload landed and by the time the
4th Iowa was across the enemy was driven
away. The 30th Iowa took 80 prisoners. We
crossed in three pontoon boats, about Is men in
boat. The brigade numbered about 1900
men. We had just moved through the timber
a distance of about half mile, reformed our
line of battle and halted about five minutes,
when carriage was discovered by the Skin
mishers approaching from the direction of the
city with white flag floating from its top. The
carriage contained the Mayor and two other
citizens of Columbia who surrendered the city
to Col. G. A. Stone, of the 25th Iowa, command
ing brigade. The Colonel commanding entered
the carriage and with the flag of the 31st wav-
ing from the carriage top rode into the city, the
3lst following, and the rest of the brigade
in column of fOurs, the 9TH being in the rear
of the line. Soon the 3Ist flag was waving
proudly from the new State House. The 18th
Iowa of the Seventeenth Corps claim the honor
of being the first in the city. A few stragglers
perhaps, were in first and they took a flag with
them, which they lost, rs they supposed by the
fire, but since have had it sent to them.--JoHN
w. BANNAN. Orderly Sergeant, Co. A, 4th lows,
Thafn,