Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 7.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[157]

I deny that the citizens “set fire to thousands of bales rolled out into the streets.”

I deny that any cotton was on fire when the Federal troops entered the city.

I most respectfully ask of Congress to appoint a committee, charged with the duty of ascertaining and reporting all the facts connected with the destruction of Columbia, and thus fixing upon the proper author of that enormous crime the infamy he richly deserves.

I am willing to submit the case to any honest tribunal. Before any such I pledge myself to prove that I gave a positive order, by direction of General Beauregard, that no cotton should be fired; that not one bale was on fire when General Sherman's troops took possession of the city; that he promised protection to the city, and that, in spite of his solemn promise, he burned the city to the ground, deliberately, systematically and atrociously.

I, therefore, most earnestly request that Congress may take prompt and efficient measures to investigate this matter fully. Not only is this due to themselves and to the reputation of the United States army, but also to justice and to truth.

Trusting that you will pardon me for troubling you,

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Wade Hampton.

We add the following brief report of the proceedings of the Senate on the presentation of the letter of General Hampton, as showing the spirit of the times:

Mr. Sherman said he could not allow this charge of this most impudent Rebel against the whole army to be entered upon the records without some answer. The charge of General Sherman in relation to the burning of Columbia was in an official report, and was fully sustained by reports of other officers. General Sherman did not charge that Wade Hampton gave an explicit order on the subject, but simply that his previous order in relation to the burning of cotton, &c., led to that result. Mr. Sherman read from various official reports to confirm the charge against General Hampton.

Mr. Fessenden objected to the practice of taking up the time of the Senate in reading letters addressed not to the Senate but to individual Senators, and especially on matters pertaining to private controversies between persons not members of the Senate.

Mr. Johnson moved the reference of General.Hampton's letter to the Committee on Military Affairs, or he was willing to have it lie on the table.

Mr. Fessenden hoped it would not be referred or ordered to lie on the table, but that the Senate would refuse to receive it.

Mr. Conness said that a man who would attempt to destroy the Government of the United States would certainly not hesitate to