The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-06-29
SHERMAN IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Bamberg Was i'm Line of March to
Columbia in 1864.

before the John c. Calhoun chapter,
Clemson College.)
In order to get a thorough under
standing of Shermans march
through South Carolina we must
know something of his work previous
to that time. 1 will endeavor, there
fore, to give a brief outline of it.
At the beginning of the year 1854
there were only two Southern armies
of any strength left in the field
Lees forces upon the Rapidan and
Johnston's in Daltan, Ga. Gen.
Grant determined to strike both
armies at the same time. He accord
ingly ordered Gen. Sherman to 60
into the South and break up John
ston's army and to destroy as he
went anything that could aid in the
carrying on of the war. And he,
with the forces of Gen. Meade, was
to advance against Lee.
On May, 4, 1864, Sherman, with
100000 well equipped men, began
the southwark march. His objects
were to reach Atlanta and to destroy
Johnston's army on the way. After
months of fighting, plundering and
burning he reached Savannah on De-
cen Der 21. Here he remained i've
weeks in order to give his soldiers a
rest.
On February 1 he crossed into
South Carolina. Soon after his ar
rival the heavy winter rains began
and delayed his march for about two
weeks. For a time it was thought
he was going to advance either upon
Charleston or Augusta and troops
were sent to guard both places. Sher-
man had played upon the fears of
the people for the express purpose of
drawing the troops away from Co.
lunbia, and as he soon saw that it
was practically without defenders he
turned his army in that direction.
At that moment began march
which has never been equaled in his
tory. The men were given unrestrict-
ed license to burn and plunder. The
empty granaries, barnyards, poultry
houses and the number of blackened
chimneys along the march told only
too well that they had not let their
opportunities pass.
This State Worst Sufferer.
Susan P. Lee, in her history of the
United States, says:
.All that the armies had done in
Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and
even in, the valley of Virginia was
merciful compared to the outrages
perpetrated in South Carolina. The
course of the invading army could
be marked afar off by the wide
spreading columns of smoke which
rose wherever it went. Dwelling
houses, granaries, negro cabins, resin
factories, the pine forests themselves
were all set on fire. The sun was OBJ
scured by clouds Of smoke and the
night made light by the widespread
conflagration. Before burning the
soldiers rif1ed the houses of their
contents. What took the fancy OF
the thieves was carried off, the rest
destroyed. Costly furniture and
pianos were hewn to pieces, rich car
pets, curtains and libraries were
dragged through the mud and dust
or scattered to the winds. Plate,
watches, jewelry and, clothing were
taken, rings and earrings were torn
from the fingers and ears of the help
less, terrified women. Resistance and
remonstrance were met with oaths
and threats of still worse treatment.
Old men were tortured to make them
tell where money or silver was hid
den. The negroes were plundered as
quickly as the whites. The gardens
were dug up. with Dayonetts 10 proDe
for concealed treasures. One party
followed another until the defense
less people were left without shelter
or food. And these things were seen
not only without hindrance by the
officers, but were considered as COM
ical. They even Joined the privates
in these expeditions, but put on citi-
zen's dress in order to rob without
forfeiting their shoulder straps"
Little resistance was offered to all
this. It is true that Sherman met
with some at Rivers Bridge, in Barn
well county, on February 3, and at
Aiken on February 10, but it had no
effect in staying his progress. On he
swept towards Columbia, partially de-
stroying on the way Barnwell, Black
vile, Midway and Orangeburg.
On Wednesday, February IS, he
reached the western banks Of the
Congaree river. but the bridge had