The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-23
ENTERING COLUMBIA.
he Thinks They All Had Too Much Bourbon.

To THE EDITOR: Allow me little space in
your esteemed paper to say few words in re-
gard to entering Columbia, S. c. In your issue
of sept. 2. lSS6, read the statements of Com
rades L. ID. Pollock and J. Luekey. Ii is strange
that men will differ so much about the move
ments oftheir corps; hence Iwish TO giyelmy YER
sion ofthis move of the Fifteenth Corps whereby
Columbia was entered, which / believe TO be
correct, and casting no disparagement on any
part of that brave and patriotic body of soldiers
composing the Fifteenth Corps. About II
o'clock Feb. l6 1865 the Fifteenth Corps in
tercepted the Confederate troops under Wade
Hampton, about mile below Columbia,
S. C., on the south side Of the river, the rebs
taking their position on the west side of small
stream. The First Brigade, First Division, Fiji
teen Corps, commanded by Gen. WalcOtt, 10
which belonged made n charge on the rebs
about o'clock on the 10th Of February and
drove them across the stream. Hampton threw
quite number of his troops across the bridge
over Broad River, opposite the city. They
marched against us and we defeated them, and
they retreated across the bridge into the city
and burned the bridge after crossing On the
morning Of Feb. II the First Division, Fifteenth
Corps, marched up the river, with the Second
Brigade, First Division. in front, First Brigade,
same division, next. We marched about two
miles mp the river, above where the Congaree
and Saluda Rivers come together. The Sec
ond Brigade took up position along the river
aud kept the rebs down while the pioneers were
laying pontoon bridge across the river. As
soon rs the bridge was complete the First Bril-
gade crossed over and marched 10 the other
fork of Broad River, aud did as the Second
Brigade did nj the first fork of the Broad. AS
soon as the bridge was laid across the Second
Brigade marched over and proceeded toward
the city. When within about one and half
miles Of the city deputation headed by the
Mayor came out and surrendered the city 10
Gen. Sherman's army
The Second Brigade was put on provost
duty in the city, and my brigade (the First)
was marched 10 the suburbs In the northeast
part Of the city. And l honestly believe the
comrade told the truth when he said they all
got drunk but the Chaplain in his brigade, and
further believe the Chaplain was too drunk
20 talk much Scripture that night On the
night of the 18th the First Brigade was ordered
10 the city 10 do provost duty; and. by the way,
will say the First Brigade had found little
Of that good old bourbon and had drank a little
too freely, for when the order came not over
one-half of the men were in condition 10
march back TO the city. No one blames the
boys for their indulgence. Uncle Billy was
asked by lady the morning ofthe 18th What
would you do if Wade Hampton was 10 turn on
you 2" "Wewould whip him" was the Generals
reply. How could you do it, when all your
men are drunk?" Never mind that, Madam.
If those boys should hear the roar of cannon
they would sober up and fight like tigers" and
i'm my judgment such would have been the case.
So we will concede we were all drunk at Co
lumbia.-W. I. BUTCHER, Captain, Co. L, 9th
Ind, Freedonia, Kan.