The National tribune., 1908-07-30
CAPTURE OF COLUMBIA. s. C.
oftciai Report of the Officer In Command
OF the Advanced Troops.


Iowa, commanding Third Brigade, of
the capture of Columbia. S. c.:
Headquarters Third Brigade, First
Division, Fifteenth Corps.
Near Columbia, S. c.. Feb. 10, 1865.
Captain: / respectfully report the
action taken by my command in the
caputre of the city of Columbia:
ION the evening OF the 10th inst. !
received orders from Breyet Maj.-Gen.
Wood to have my command in readi-
ness to cross Broad River in the boats
of the pontoon train at a point to be
designated by Col. Tweedale, of the
LIST Missouri Engineers, and so soon
as crossed TO move at once on the city.
The point of crossing designated was
about half a mile above the wreck of
the bridge and about two miles above
the city of Columbia. We expected to
have effected a crossing and to have
moved on the city by daylight, but the
current of the river was so strong. the
engineers did not succeed in getting a
line across until O'Clock in the MORN
ing of the Eth At $3.50 o'clock 1 sent
over TWO loads of sharpShooters under
Capt. Bowman of my staff, with in
structions to put them as pickets or
skirmishers, the center of his line to
be opposite the crossing at least IS
yards distant, with the TANKS resting
on the river. He had particular in
structions to keep his men quiet. and
not to reply to any firing of the enemy,
unless satisfied they meant an attack
on him. / went over with the advance
of the first regiment, the 30th Iowa,
Lieut--Col. Roberts, and made a per-
sonal reconnaissance of the ground. /
found / had landed on small island
about 200 yards in length and 25 in
with in the shape of a crescent. / at
once put up line of works and by this
time four regiments had crossed. The
enemy was now discovered to be very
active, their skirmishers annoying US
considerably. From a movement of
the troops toward his right, was sat
isfied the enemy was endeavorfng to re-
inforce his line, and that to insure sue
cess l should at once attack without
waiting for the remainder of the bril-
gade. Accordingly. I made the follow
ing disposition of my troops for the
attack: The 31st Iowa, Lieut.-C
Jenkins commanding. was moved across
the island toward the north, nearly
parallel with the river, until 1 found
his left about opposite the enemy's
right I next ordered up Maj. Aber-
nathy, commanding the 9th Iowa, with
his regiment, his right resting on Col
Jenkins's left, and Maj. Abernathy's left
towards the river, with directions that
when the assault was ordered he
should change directions to the right
on the double-quick. in order to turn
the enemy's left, and also strike him in
the rear. The disposition being made
to my satisfaction 1 returned to the
island and ordered Lieut-Coi. Roberts
TO assault directly in front of us. The
25th Iowa, Lieut.-Col. Palmer COM
manding, was ordered to follow as re-
serve, and sent word to Lieut-Col.
Nighols. commanding the 4th Iowa, to
~, r II 0aI, e. /, sr
men had crossed. Everything now be-
ing in readiness, the signal was given
and the assault was made by all the
regiments at the same time. The re-
suit proved no mistake. either in the
planning or the execution. Before the
enemy was hardly aware of it we We're
right onto his skfrmish line. The Goth
IOWA here captured 30 prisoners. I
accompanied this regiment and can, by
personal observation, testify to the gall
fantf manner in which they made the
assault In front of the island We're
a number OF small bayous running
parallel with the river about 30 feet
wide and some of them waist deep.
Few stopped to find logs on which to
cross. but plunged in, holding guns
and cartridge boxes above the water
I found Col. Palmer's Brigade of in
fantry Of Gen. Stevenson's Division and
apparently regiment of cavalry with
the troops disputing the crossing. Hav-
ing driven the enemy in our front, and
noticing demonstration on his right
to turn my left. ordered a halt, and
commenced throwing up a line of
works. while waiting for the advance
of Brevet Brig. Gen. Woods Brigade to
get over. So soon as I discovered the
brigade had commenced crossing J
moved for the city. easily driving the
regiment of cavalry that disputed our
advance We had arrived within about
a mile of the city, when a carriage, dis
playing a flag Of truce, approached.
containing Mr.. Goodwin, Mayor of
Columbia and the city Aldermen, who
came TO offer terms Of capitulation. I
refused anything but an unconditional
surrender, which after few words he
consented to an unconditional surrep-
der of the city of Columbia. ] Joined
the party in the carriage with Mai
Dreamer. Of the goth Iowa, and Capt
Pratt, of Gen. Logan's staff, and left
the brigade under the temporary charge
of Leut.-Col. jenkins. of the 31st Iowa.
and preceded the column about half
a mile. When near the suburbs Of the
city / noticed some of the advanced
skirmishers. say Is in number being
driven back by apparently a Corporal
and three men who happened to be
near me. and put the Mayor and the
Aldermen in the Corporal's charge. and
Mai. Anderson took about 40 of my
fiankers and advanced on the cavalry
The Corporal was instructed that in
case one man was killed or wounded he
should at once shoot the Mayor and
his party. Joining the retreating Skin
mishers. with the 40 fiankers, we speed
lily dispersed the rebel cavalry, having
no more trouble in gaining the city. ]
proceeded TO the State House with Capt.
Pratt and Mai. Creamer and Lieut.
Riffiey. of the Both Iowa, and the Color
Sergeant, and put the first United States
flag on the building. During the en-
gagement the regiinental commanders
did their duty well. Mai Alternately
and Lieut--Col. Roberts on the right
and Lieut.-Col. Palmer, of the 25th
Iowa. followed by Lieut.-Coi. Nichols.
of the 4th Iowa, supporting the assault
in handsome manner. Lieut.-Col.
Roberts and mis- Adjutant, First Lieut..
James NJ. Smith, deserve notice for the
gallant manner in which they pushed
their line forward. Capt A b. Smith,
of Gen. Woods staff. accompanied me
in the assault and also deserves notice
for his gallant conduct My thanks
are due all my staff officers, Capt.
Bell. Capt Bowman. Acting Assistant
AdJt-Gen. Snow, and Lieut.. Crane; for
doing their duty well. / was absent
from the brigade about half an hour in
placing the flag on the State House,
and when / rejoined my command 7
found. a great number of the men
drunk. 1t was discovered that this
was caused by hundreds of negroes who
swarmed the streets on the approach
nj l.