The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06

at the beginning by means of ropes and
boats: that brigade was the brigade of
Col. Stone, and pushed Its way up the
hill slowly against the enemy, retiring;
the enemy passed through Columbia.
and the Mayer came TO the outside of
tie city and surrendered the city, think
between 10 and IL o'clock, say 10
o'clock; in the meantime a regular
bridge was laid across the Broad River.
and Gen. Sherman and myself crossed
over, riding side by side, before any
other troops than this leading brigade
had passed.
1t was about 1890 that Gen. Sherman
and | rode over ahead of all the remain
ing portion of the troops that had not been
ferried over, and rode directly on to the
CITY, distance of about three miles,
entering it in what we called the main
street; / believe the name, as it appears
on the map, is Richardson street; it was
the one that leads directly to the Capitol.
At every corner of the street we met
crowds of people, principally negroes;
not very far from the markethouse we
met the Mayor of the city, who had a
short conversation with Gen. Sherman /;
as my troops alone were to have charge
of the city, | observed very carefully
the disposition of the guards of the lead
ing brigade, Col. Stones; sentinels were
located in front OF buildings Of any con-
siderable Importance, and on the main
areet the principal portion of the bri-
gade was in rest, waiting for orders;
there was only that one brigade.
We were ahead OF all the rest; near the
brigade was an immense pile of cotton;
bales were broken open in the middle of
the streets, and were on fire; an engine
was playing upon the fire, and soldiers
and citizens were engaged apparently III
extinguishing it; Gen. Sherman was met
with much enthusiasm by company o
soldiers; observing them closely. saw
that some of them were under the in
fiuence of drink.
Mr.. @. K. Walker (for the claimants):
@ How do you know that?
A. Only from the testimony of a
great many who saw it. The statement
of the witness as to the rebel soldiers
having set the depot on fire is objected
to by Mr. Walker, on the ground that
the witness does not know it of his own
personal knowledge.
THE CITY OK FIRE.
We rode to a foundry where guns had
been cast, and observed that, and went
sfterward through several streets to-
geiher, when | separated from Gen.
Sherman, selected my Headquarters, and
gave the necessary orders for tie
thorough care OF tie troops and Of the
city for the night Gen. Sherman took
his Headquarters at the house of Blan-
ton Duncan, and ! mine at a house near
the University, belonging to ore of the
Professors; after this disposition | lav
down TO take a little rest, and was
awaked first about dark by one of my
Aids, who said the city WAS on fire.
tnoI sent tiaeu1Aid, Capt Gilbreth,
immediately V TO ascertain where the fire
was, and to call upon Gen. Charles Il.
Wood, the division commander, who had
the immediate command OF the city, to
prevent the eXtensiun of the fire.
then at once dressed myself and went to
the scene. There Imet Gen. John a. |
Logan, who was my next in rank, and
who commanded the corps. We con-
suited together, and took every pre-
cauuonary measure We could think Of
to prevent the extension Of the flames,
sometimes ordering the tearing down OF
sheds and small buildings, protecting
eIiizeus. assisting them in the care of
their property. and guarding it.
Much of the pro- eny was thrown into
the streets Personally / set a great
many soldiers during the night TO ex-
tlnguish the flames from the houses, and
they went 10 the tops of the houses, where
water was passed up to them. Nearly
everything ia my INN ed ate vicinity was
saie. a perfect gale from the north
west had commenced about the time we
crvssed tie bridge, or before that, and
continued all night or until. / should
Say, between a4d s O'Clock III the
morning. lt seemed al first utterly USE
less TO attempt to stop the flames they
were 80 hut that manv of our OWN sol
diers were burnt up that night When
the wind changed, however, it was easy
to prevent amy further extension of tie
fire. Ii was done. Some Of our men
behaved badly, on account Of being un-
der the influence OF drink, but thew were
replaced ty fresh men as soon as their
conduct Game 10 the knowledge OF the
officer ia charge.
Tie FInt Brigade e-Stone's-was re-
lieved by another brigade OF Gen. " ood's
Division, aud finally the entire division
OF Gen. Hazen was brought into the
city 10 assist. All the men who mis-
behaved that we couli seize upon were
kept under guard until the next day
and punIshed. There we're quite a num-
Der OF our men who had been taken
prisoners and were held by the Conied-
erates- They appeared in the streets of
COLUMBIA soon alter our arrival. 30
not 4 ffw fftAself "a hove tha,y ,,era o,p-