[653] Q. Do I understand you to say that burning cotton flies in the air? A. Indeed it does. Q. About how many feet high in the air? A. As many as six hundred feet; yes, I saw it fly, probably, from four or five hundred yards—fifteen hundred feet in distance. Q. I do not mean rolling along the ground. A. No, sir; I mean up in the air, like a fire-ball. Q. How about height: does it rise above ten feet? A. Yes, sir; one hundred and fifty feet; whirling round. Q. Balls of what size? A. Probably fifty pounds—forty or fifty pounds. Q. How many feet in the air? A. One hundred, or one hundred and fifty feet in the air. * * * Q. But the police force was from Woods's division of the 15th Corps, save such stragglers as may have strayed in from other commands? A. Yes, sir; all the troops in Columbia were from the 15th Corps, save such stragglers as may have strayed in from other commands. * * *
Appendix to chapter XLVII.
General Beauregard's instructions to General Hardee.
Headquarters, Military division of the West, Charlotte, N. C., Feb. 26th, 1865.General,—The enemy at last accounts having been at Rocky Mount and Peay's Ferry, on the Catawba River, and it being still undetermined whether he will move thence on this place or upon Fayetteville, N. C., via Cheraw, you will please concentrate your forces as rapidly as possible at the latter place, and there hold them in readiness to move at a moment's notice, either on this point, as already instructed, or to oppose his advance as long as possible should he march by the way of Cheraw, in which event Hampton's cavalry will cooperate with you. Should any movement of Schofield from Wilmington threaten to intercept your march upon Fayetteville, and you are not strong enough to give him battle, you will then retire slowly in the direction of Raleigh, doing all in your power to check your adversary's advance at all favorable positions. A line of couriers has been established hence to Fayetteville, via Cheraw or Rockingham, as the movements of the enemy shall make necessary. Please keep General Bragg (who is still near Wilmington) and myself advised of your movements, and of those of the enemy which may come to your knowledge. There is telegraphic communication from Fayetteville with these Headquarters. Your Engineers should repair forthwith the roads and bridges on the route
Lieut.-Genl. W. J. Hardee, Cheraw, S. C.:
