Robert Wilson Papers

Résumé du livre

Unsigned letter, 1 Mar. 1865, Columbia, [S.C.], [written by Robert Wilson] to Robert [Shand] conveying news of the burning of Columbia on 17 and 18 Feb. 1865, following the city's occupation by Union troops; explaining that he will "use only initials for names, and shall not sign my own, as this may be overhauled before reaching you"; noting the well-being of Shand's family and reporting the losses they sustained including the silver communion service from the church, which was stolen from Shand's father [Peter Johnson Shand, rector of Trinity Cathedral]; relaying information regarding the family's African American slaves, "Not one of the servants left ... Many persons have lost everyone. Father's have all stayed ... "; reporting that "Columbia was burned and sacked by the 1st Division of the 15th Army Corps, under [Major] General [John A.] Logan. They were mostly Illinois and Iowa troops"; reporting "150 of the enemy were killed that night, many, too drunk to move, were burned to death"; and encouraging residents of South Carolina's "upper country" to "contribute all they can, clothes, food, shoes, soap, and candles, anything, to aid the sufferers here."