The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-07-03

Cav Cav Swamp. around which the
troops We're skirting to get within striking
distance of the city.
To the left was broad bottom, on
which was Camp Sorghum" the prison
in which were confined the Union officers.
The miserable shacks, mud-chimneys, and
duG-outs still stood in CHASTITY testimony
of what those incarceratcd there had en-
durcd, and the boys shivered at the sight.
But things of such mighty moment were
happening that they had little time for
reflection on the past.
Moving out to u position which gave
them good view, they fastened their
boat 10 a tree, and waited to see what
part they should be called upon TO take
in the mighty drama impending.
Beyond the bottom swept the turbulent
current OF the river chatting with its rocky
shore. brawling against its granite reefs
and islets. Across the raging food, high
and fair, rose the beautiful city of Co
lumbia. with its straight streets. great
buildings spires rising high above the
evergreen magnolias and pines, its impos-
ing factories and warehouses along the
river bank. The shining cupola Of the
old State House dominated in the dis
tance, and not far off rose the granite
walls of the unfinished new State House
\ dense cloud OF smoke assembled from
the burning depot. with it's great stores of
cotton, pork, meal, provisions and house
hold goods. The long lines of cotton
bales stretched through the center of each
of the principal streets. Everywhere were
crowds Of people. white and black, men
and women. but far more women than
men. Most of them seemed to be carry
ing something-ali they could bear. Bod
les of rebel cavalry were galloping back
and forth. and squads could be plainly
seen breaking into stores, and bringing
out stuff to load on their horses.
"a rba-
ed Wash Lambert. Always blasted
thieves and robbers"
cavalry seems to be doing something
else up there" remarked ST, pointing to
where great bridge spanned the stream.
y long line of rebel cavalry stood a little
ways in front of it. and was Immediately
attacked with whirlwind violence by a
line of Union cavalry rushing out of the
woods.
There was at once terrific maefstrom
of galloping horses, flashing sabers,
smashing gunbarrels, and a din of shots
and yels.
Bully boys. Bully boys, Get the
bridge! Go it, Yanksv' shouted the boys.
Now they've got it, The rebel line is
smashed. Hooray for the Union. Hooray!
Hoorayr'
The rebel line was crushed. and rushed
back through the bridge. but just as the
| excited Unionists reached the bridge. IL
the Unionists recoiled. Part Of the rebels.
| unable to reach the bridge, galIOped off to
the left in flight.
"Gosh-alLC hristmas-' muttered the dis
appointed 81, watching the mass of roar
ing fame, they had the bridge soaked
with turpentine. and now it's gone Too
bad. The cavalry made as pretty a fight
for 1t as | ever saw"
There were plenty of other happenings
TO think about, however. The opposite
bank was swarming with sharpshooters,
who kept up vicious fire at such of the
advancing infantry as came down onto the
bottom within range. Farther down q
battery opened upon a division that was
marching up into position.
Union batteries were going into posi-
ton wherever they could find a suitable
place, for miles up and down the banks,
and responding to the rebel fire.
From fine mill with large overshot
wheel. which went on whirling as in
peaceful times, came continual shower
of sharpshOOter bullets. 4 Minnesota bat
terry of three-inch rifles rushed up and I'M
limbered. The first shot stopped the re-
volving of the great wheel, the second
went into the building, and the sharp
shooters began rushing out. 4 few more
shots and the building was in flames
Hello, there comes De Gress, with his
20-pounders,'' shouted Shorty. He must
have a hand in everything Now some
thing will be torn loose
The ear-splittrng of the big rifles was
distinctly heard above the roar and clatter
of the smaller guns Some of the bi.
shells burst around the State House.
n hail came from the south side of the
SaIuda:
Hello. the fatboat. Come over here
and take us across
Hello. you Indiana fellows! Go across
there and get those men, came in Gen.
Sl,s.,.,, Il
them. That's Gems. Howard and Woods
coming up TO see me. Hurry up.'
They labored their clumsy craft across
the river. got the Generals, and came
back
Hello. Howard: hello. Woods" called
ont the impatient General-in-Ch as the
boat neared the bank Glad to see you.
Got your men well up, l understand
Well, there's going to be no battle here.
Beauregards falling back TO the line of
the Santee. Slocum's across the river and
we'll on his way toward Winnsboro.
There's nobody but Hampton's cavalry in
Columbia. Get your men across the river
as fast as you can. and any way that you
can, and take command, clear them out
and take charge of the city. I appoint
yGu in full command of Columbia
THANK you. General responded How
ard with Il salute.
You understand" continued Sherman.
Respect private property, but destroy
everything belonging to the Confederacy.
I'll see you in the city. Goodnight"
Hello. De GreSs: what are you vast
ing all that ammunition on?' called the
General to the battery Captain.
I'm scattering that rebel cavalry over
there, SIR replied the famous artillery
man.
Nonsense! They aren't worth %
pound shells. Stop it."
Let ME drop few shells in to drive
off those niggers that l can see through
the glass carrying of Commissary Stores"
pleaded De Gress.
'All right; do it. But not more than
two or three. Thatll be enough
And the interchangeable General rode off.
\ dense fog rose, hiding everything, and
briE gins quiet on the noisy combat
Tn, boys tied their boat to the tree
again. and sat down to a bountiful sup.
per which Otterbein Kramer had ready.
Go be eontinuedl