The National tribune., 1907-07-11
THE BURNING Oh COLUMBIA.
An Iown Veteran supports His Memory
Ey Ifs Dinry.

r
Editor NationalSTribune: There have
been several articles written lately in
regard to the burning fof Columbia. but
the one in May % comes the nearest
to filling the bill of anything l have seen
yet. Gen. Sherman in his report gave
the facts as they existed after he and
Gen. Howard rode into the city. There
was a very high wind prevailing all day
on the nth of February, continuing all
night. Now, as have my old diary be-
fore me | Will quote some extracts from
it. | shall go back to Feb. Is: Still
raining on till noon. 20 Second Brigade,
First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps.
Skirmished with rebel cavalry for four
or five miles. when we found the enemy
in force and with good line of works
commanding n bridge across Congaree
Creek. Our division formed line of
battle with the 9Th Iowa as skirmishers,
hanked the works and the Johnnies
skedaddled as usual. We got several
prisoners. After retreating about two
miles they formed again. took position
on the crest of hill. Four companies
of the 25th Iowa formed as skirmishers
and routed them again. The troops
camped for the night.
FEB. 16. Marched out to support a
section of artillery that shelled the city
of Columbia; lay in sight of city all day;
crossed the Saluda River and marched
over to the Santee River. The engineers
worked nearly all night to get the pom
toons down, but the water being so
rapid they only succeeded in getting a
cable across, and fixing some boats in
position they ferried the Third Brigade,
composed OF Iowa troops and command
ed by Col. George A. Stone. across the
river. There being very heavy fog at
the time and only being able to take
about one company at time, it took
all night 10 get the brigade across. and
after capturing number of prisoners
we marched up toward the city, and
were met by the Mayor and several 9TH
er city officials with flag of truce sur
rendering the city. The 25th Iowa, OF
which | was a member, was put on
guard in houses and on patrol, as were
also some OF the other regiments of the
brigade. We got into the city between
8 and 10 o'clock Feb. II. Two other
members of Co. A and myself were
placed on guard at house containing
three ladies, who had letters from Off
GERS and men who We're prisoners con-
fined at Columbia and to whom they
smugEled provisions. and they were told
to show these letters and claim protec-
ton. After we We're at this place a short
time they went out thru the city to see
how some of their friends We're faring
When they came back they said that
ton in the warehouses to be rolled out
and upon the streets to make
breastworks against the Yankees
The cotton was rolled out by
negros, troops and others. and
when the Yanks came they just
quit and skedaddled The fire was start
ed down at the lower part of the city
by Hampton's men before leaving the
city. AS the day wore on and the fire
got rekindled and with the help OF
applejack and whisky, drunken negros
and bummers and the very high wind
that was prevailing that day and night
the flames got Beyond the control OF
the brave fellows Hho were fighting
manfully to save Wat property they
could, for there GereMsome good people
who lived in Columbia. if it was the
nestegg of secesst6nsh There are plenty
of the old Iowa Brigade still living.
would like to hear from some of them
and hear what they have to say abou,
the burning Of HCoipmbia-
Pa rtOT