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to leave immediately, as, before the next morning, everything around them would be reduced to ashes.1 The signal at which the conflagration was to begin—three rockets, to be fired, at about eight o'clock, in front of the Mayor's residence—was also spoken of and distinctly described, at times with jeers and threats, occasionally with an appearance of compassion for the unfortunate inhabitants.
At the appointed hour these rockets shot upwards, attracting the attention of the whole city, and shortly afterwards the troops scattered down the streets; suddenly fires broke out in every direction, at points distant from each other, and the flames spread on all sides.
Citizens, with their fire-companies, at first rushed to the burning houses, attempting, as best they could, to save them from destruction; but they were unable to effect any good, not only on account of the extent of the conflagration, but because the Federals, wild with joy at the bonfires they had lighted, pierced the hose and disabled the engines.2
Before morning, on the 18th, the greater portion of the city was a heap of smouldering ashes.
Most of its inhabitants—old men, women, and children—passed that winter night unsheltered from wind and cold.
And General Sherman rode through the streets that night and looked on.
That General Sherman did not issue direct and open orders for the destruction of Columbia we are willing to admit; but that he knew what work would be accomplished by his army, ‘burning with an insatiable desire to wreak vengeance upon South Carolina;’ that he countenanced the vandalism of his troops, is undeniable.
Otherwise, not only would there have been no ambiguity about the order to burn, but a positive order not to burn would have been issued.
Invading columns, such especially as composed the notorious 15th Federal Corps, require no prompting to be aware that, in military discipline as well as in law, what is not prohibited is allowed.
Among the witnesses summoned—so to say—by General Sherman in support of his allegation that the Confederate cavalry, and not his troops, caused the destruction of the capital of South Carolina, is General O. O. Howard, who commanded the right wing
1 See testimony of Mrs. L. S. McCord and William H. Orchard before Investigation Committee.
2 Report of Investigation Committee.
1883. Harper. New York.
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