The National tribune., 1911-01-12

ing was where the first ordinance of Sc
cession was passed. I was near, and
heard Gen. Sherman's remark. turned
TO Maj. Goodrich, also Of the staff, and
said: Let us make an effort to cross
the river" He enthusiastically agreed.
Belknap granted permission. Lieut.. Col.
Kennedy, brave and daring young off,
Ger. in command of the 18th Iowa, with
squad of his regiment. volunteered
to accompany US.
Cross Over In Leaky Boat.
The bridge, about a third of a mile
below, had been destroyed by the reb-
els, but We found an old, rickety, leaky
fiat ferryboat. We labored all Of that
afternoon and late into the night re-
pairing calking leaks, making oars, etc.
The negros were OF great assistance to
us. They were greatly astonished that
We would attempt the crossing in that
old boat, declaring 1t would not hold
together halfway across that rough
and swift river. The rebel pickets on
the opposite side of the river were FIR
ing on us, and our pickets returning
the fire vigorously. Three of our men
we're wounded on the 18th and one
killed and one wounded on the 18th.
About c. m. Friday morning. Feb.
IT, 1865, all was ready.
We Invested ourselves of shoes and
jump into the river IL the firing got too
not, endeavor to keep the boat between
ourselves and the enemy, and drift, If
possible, back to the south bank. Every
one not at the oars had a gun with sup
ply of ammunition, each keenly watch
ing the other shore, ready for action
When the word was given to "cut loose
we numbered "a, including the three
officers.
As the boat swung out into the stream
three of our number jumped into the
water and waded back. This left our
number p all told. We pulled for a.
small island near the other shore, reach
ing it without much difficulty. Some OF
US crawled up thru the willows, but
could see no one. We knew the Fiji
teenth Corps was to come down from
the west after crossing the Saluda and
Broad Rivers, which form the Conga-
rec short distance above Columbia
We returned to the boat, donned our
clothing, pulled boldly and rapidly
around the point of the island to the
shore. and rushed up the embankncnt
To our delight we found the rebel pick
cts had been withdrawn; we could see
them about quarter of mile down
the river. marching away. We landed
at the loot OF street running north
ana south near an old mill. Arranging
with negroes to return with the boat
Tor more troops. we started Immediately
FOR the State House.
Impress a Horse and Buggy.
At cross street we Intercepted a
man in buggy rushing east, evidently
intending TO escape the Fifteenth Corps
little expecting to meet us. II took but
a moment TO convince the owner thar
we needed the rig worse than he did
dumping him and his effects into
the street. Maj. Goodrell and the color
bearer with the flag banner and a gun
jumped into the buggy. Col Ken
nedy and sat on the cross
bar over the back spring, and literally
hing on" Directing the others of our
party 60 follow, Goodrich put whip TO
the horse Within two blocks of the
state House, in side street half blocI,
ahead, discovered a squad of rebel
caNalrynieil formed in line ready to fire
l shouted, Look oyt!' to GoodreIl but
before ne could stop the horse we had
covered the half block and reached The
cross street where the cayaIr.- had been
Ihey had fired, and were eaIloplng
away frantically. ] sprang TO the ground
snatched The gun from the buggy and
fired. one Of the riders fell on The edge
OF the sidewalk, and his body lay therd
most of the day.
AT this rime we foiir men wers about
half 4 mile from the balance of our
party, the nearest Union troops. and
surrounded by enemies.
= The Mayor was at that tine, rs we
learned later in the day, out making Il
lorna. surrender of thE city TO Col
Stone. OF the Fifteenth Corps. The rebel
soldiers and citizens who .tnessed our
approach undod'3tedly kaew the city
was being formally surrendered, and