Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The heavy fog this (Monday) morning, at the hour this is written, prevents any object over the river from being distinctly seen. The flames do not appear, however, to have extended to any dwelling in Wrightsville, although two or three board-yards above the town were destroyed. Another yard below the town still contains sufficient lumber for the enemy to construct as many rafts as may seem desirable, but it is impossible to see whether the rebel guns are planted in its vicinity, or on the hills which come out naked and abrupt, with fields upon their tops, to the very edge of the river. One fact is certain, and the truth may as well be told, Columbia is completely at the mercy of the enemy, who, from the opposite hills just mentioned, can shell every building in the town. Nothing of importance was captured at the intrenchments except about five hundred rations, which have since been replaced.

At the intrenchments the rebel fire was returned by our men to the best of their ability. The adjacent fields, however, were covered with long grain, in which the enemy could hide and fire at leisure. For this purpose some of their cavalry dismounted. During the whole affair the coolness and intrepidity of Colonel Frick were displayed, and to other officers the official report will do full justice.

The three companies of Colonel Thomas's regiment were on the right. The City Troop and Bell's cavalry acted as scouts, aids, and orderlies. The colored volunteers behaved well. After the retreat the troops encamped on a hill back of Columbia, a portion of them, however, being detailed to guard a ford. One negro was killed in the intrenchments, and as many members of the white companies are still missing, it is not possible to give the exact loss. It will not exceed twenty, however; a small number, comparatively, but it must be recollected that the engagement derives its importance more from the fact of its proximity to Philadelphia, and the danger which threatens to the State, than from the mere loss in killed, wounded, and missing. The City Troop and Colonel Thomas's companies suffered no loss.