The National tribune., 1886-10-14
COLUMBIA, 6. G.
How and By Whom the Surrender Was Received

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
of Sept. 2 / noticed letter from L. d. Pol
lock, Co. E, 30th Iowa, and also one from j.
Luckey, 25th Iowa, regarding the entering of
Columbia, S. G. As they both quote from their
diaries kept at the time they may be correct
so far as regards the movements of their re-
spective companies, but are somewhat incor-
rect as to the movements Of some Of the troops
of the Iowa Brigade, Of the First Division,
Fifteenth Corps. Comrade POllOck's record
from his diary is correct as to the movements
on Feb. 16 but not correct as TO the crossing
of Broad River on the 18th, which is accounted
for by his being toward the rear and little
late in getting over the river. The advance of
the brigade (the 3lst Iowa) commenced cross
ing the river about midnight of the 10th by a
rope ferry. As only about one company could
be crossed st once, it took long time to get
the brigade over. At daybreak there were only
some three regiments across. They deployed
as skirmishers and advanced and captured the
enemy's pickets- This was early, as it was
light enough to distinguish man from a tree.
After passing about half mile through the
timber we came into an open field on the side
hill, but did not halt until at the top of the
hill, from where we could sec the city. and
could also see Wheeler's cavalry on the adjOin-
ing hills. Here the order was given the COM
mand to halt aud form the regiments. While
waiting for the skirmishers to come in and
form with their commands the carriage spoken
of by Comrade Pollock was seen coming from
the city bearing white flag. Col. Stone, Of
| the 18th Iowa, commanding the brigade, rode
out aud met it, and received the formal sur
render of the city from the Mayor. This could
not have been later than 7:30 or s o'clock on
the morning of the 18th. The order was at
| once given to march, which we did at pretty
quick time. Nor did we halt until we stacked
arms on the principal street, at about $50 or o
o'clock 4. m. The first thing we then thought
| OF was to get something to eat. My bunkmate
and myself went 4 few blocks from Main street
to private house, where we were served with
the best breakfast the house could give US
| principally corn bread.
COmrade Pollock says: "The Chaplain
looked rs though he had two heads;" pretty
good evidence that Pollock was little dazed
and saw double. Comrade Luckey says: I'VE
| drove the rebs and took the town at sunrise" :"
| This IS partly correct for we drove the rebs q
| little before sunrise, received the surrender
about sunrise, and occupied the city as soon
| thereafter as we could march about two miles.
As soon as n pOntoon could be laid Gen. Sher-
man and his staff came into the city, which was
| about noon.
As to the burning of the city can add only
| word. When we stacked arms a man came
| up to the head Of my company and said he was
Union soldier who had been held there as q
prisoner, but had escaped aud been seereted in
| the city by Union people, and that there were
| large number there who had been held as
prisoners. He said: "If you do not burn the
city we will" The city was burned, but who
burned it? The Iowa Brigade held possession
of the city until after dark, when it was re-
lieyed and moved about mile from the city.
The men had been on duty there "a hours so
that it was time for them to be relieved; with
out referring to the fact that q few were in the
same condition that COmrade Pollock was and
could see dOuble."-R. NJ. MARVIN, Orderly
Sergeant, Co. ii, 3lst Iowa, Manchester, Iowa