HIGHLY IMPORTANT: Capture of Columbia by Gen. Sherman; The Rebels Retreat as Our Troops Enter the City (2/20/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 2/20/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[The following dispatch appeared in our edition of yesterday:]

[OFFICIAL.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 18, 1865.

Major-Gen. Dix:

The announcement of the occupation of Columbia, S.C., by Gen. SHERMAN, and the probable evacuation of Charleston, has been communicated to the department in the following telegram just received from Lieut.-Gen. GRANT.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

FIRST DISPATCH FROM GEN. GRANT.

CITY POINT, 4:45 P.M., Feb. 18, 1865.

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, War Department:

The Richmond Dispatch of this morning says:

SHERMAN entered Columbia yesterday morning and its fall necessitates, it presumes, the fall of Charleston, which it thinks has already been evacuated.

U.S. GRANT, Lieut.-General.

SECOND DISPATCH FROM GEN. GRANT.

CITY POINT, Va., Feb. 18, 1865.

Hon. E.M. Stanton, War Department:

The following is taken from to-day's Richmond Dispatch:

THE FALL OF COLUMBIA.

Columbia has fallen. SHERMAN marched into and took possession of the city yesterday morning. The intelligence was communicated yesterday by Gen. BEAUREGARD in an official dispatch. Columbia is situated on the north bank of the Congaree River, just below the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers.

From Gen. BEAUREGARD's dispatch it appears that on Thursday evening the enemy approached the south bank of the Congaree, and threw a number of shells into the city. During the night they moved up the river, and yesterday morning forded the Saluda and Broad Rivers. Whilst they were crossing these rivers our troops, under Gen. BEAUREGARD, evacuated Columbia. The enemy soon after took possession.

Through private sources we learn that two days ago. when it was decided not to attempt the defence of Columbia, a large quantity of medical stores, which it was thought it was impossible to remove, were destroyed. The female employes of the Treasury Department had been previously sent off to Charlotte, South Carolina,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Highly Important: Capture of Columbia by Gen. Sherman – 2-3
From the Pacific Coast – 3
News from Rebel Sources – 3-4
The Army of the James: Lively Affair at Bermuda Hundred – 4
From Fort Fisher: Expected Attack on Fort Anderson – 4
The War in the Southwest – 4
From Sheridan’s Army: Distributing Commissary Supplies to Citizens – 4-5
The Exchange of Prisoners: More Arrivals from the James – 5
The Constitutional Amendment Ratified by Nevada – 5
News from Washington – 5
The Overland Route: Affairs at Denver – 5
The Overland Telegraph Line – 5
Rebel Flashings – 5
Editorial: Sherman’s Great Campaign – Fall of the Capital of South Carolina – 5-6
Faithful to the Last – 6
Meeting of the British Parliament – 6
The Franco-Danish Rebel Ram – 6