The National tribune., 1903-08-13

The Twentieth Corps skirmished with
the enemy's cavalry ar the crossing of the
North EdistO River, where the bridge was
found destroyed but it was rebuilt during
the night.
On the morning of the 18th, the Third
Division relieved us of the care of the
wagons. We waited until II a. IN. for the
completion of temporary bridge, then
crossed the South Edisto at Gumards,
and hObbled over n half mile of corduroy,
through dreary swamp, encampmg a
few miles beyond early in the afternoon,
the remainder of which was devoted to
foraging. While engaged in this very
necessary duty of hunting something to
eat, small party of us were crossing 4
field, and were fired on from the conceal
ment of clump of trees and brush. We
charged Immediately, capturing country
wagon loaded with meat, tobacco and
cooking utensils. The driver had disap-
peared with his animals, so we helped our
selves to the spoils, with feeling of graf
itude TO the owner for thus calling our at
tentiOn to his goods, which we would
have overlooked if he had kept quiet.
Moral: Advertise your goods, and Gus
toners will come flocking.
On the following day we crossed the
North Edisro at Horsey's Bridge during
the next day crossed Congaree and Beaver
Dam Creeks, where the enemys cavalry
offered some resistance, as we were now
nearing Columbia.
This resistance led us TO believe that we
should have to fight for possession of
the Capital, but it did not delay our
march, for we accomplished 20 miles and
encamped near Lexington. Next morn
ing. Feb. 16, our corps marched rapidly,
and without opposition, directly toward
Columbia, and we fully expected to enter
the city.
Our entrance to the Capital of South
Carolina, we considered would be an i'm
DOrtant event in our career, and as the
distapce was lessened by our rapid strides,
our tongues wagged the more vigorously,
in the discussion of our varied expert
ences, which seemed about to eliminate in
the fall of n city that was the first to eel
ebrate, with tumultuous joy, the birth of
Secession at Charleston.
We were destined, however, to be dis
appointed, for, when we came within three
miles of the city, we We're turned to the
left, and proceeded as far as the Saluda
River, where we halted to await the con-
struction of n pontOon bridge. Our dis
appointment in thus failing even TO see the
city, gave place later to satisfaction,
when we learned that the hapless city had
become prey to devOuring flames, on the
night of the 18th, which reduced so
squares to ashes. 1t was a night of hor-
ror to women and children driven from
their homes in terror and destitution, and
of modification to sober and humane Off
GERS and soldiers, who worked Zealously to
| arrest the progress of the fire, and rem
dered assistance to helpless sufferers.
But to the revengeful spirits, who for
nearly four years had cherished the desire
to inflict upon the prime instigators of Sc
| cession the dreadful consequences of their
act. the night was brilliant. exhiIarating
and glorious. Fortunately, the latter were
not numerous in our army, but their ca
pacity for mischief was almost unbounded
when discipline was relaxed. The burn
ing of dwelling houses was distasteful to
the rank and file, and was not perpetrated
openly by the few who loved such sport.
As an evidence of the secrecy main
tanned by the actual incendiaries, the
writer can say that he never saw a torch
applied to any dwelling, nor does he know
of any of his comrades who did so.
When such fires did occur along the
line of our march, and the inmates-wo-
men and children-were seen rushing out
shrieking with terror, there We're always
soldiers in the ranks who responded TO
| the dictates of humanity, and would risk
their lives, even, to carry out needful ar
| ticles for the comfort of q homeless fam
lily.
lT0 be cOntinued)