It had been the practice of the rebels to burn any cotton to keep it out of the hands of Sherman’s army, but that had not taken place in the city. Between the time the last Confederates left Columbia, S.C., and the first Federal troops entered, the city burst into flames and was nearly totally consumed.
The likely culprits might seem the zealous federal troops who entered the capital of the first state to secede, but that is not the case.
In this video we look at the various reports and put together the real story of who burned Columbia.
Credits:
Music – Ralph Vaughn Williams, “London Symphony.” Used by permission.
Pencil illustrations – Alfred R. Waud, Civil War correspondent for the Illustrated News.
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