Who Burnt Columbia?

Join us for a captivating LibriVox reading that delves into the depositions from a post-Civil War lawsuit brought by Southern businessmen. This narrative centers around the sworn testimonies of General William Tecumseh Sherman, who led the Carolinas campaign, and General Oliver O. Howard, one of Sherman’s key commanders. The discussion revolves around the contentious burning of Columbia, South Carolinas capital, as the Civil War drew to a close. These official depositions provide a unique perspective on the events of February 1865, when Union forces took control of Columbia amidst chaos and destruction. As soldiers celebrated their victory, fires erupted across the city, leading to widespread devastation. Was this fire an accident, an act of vengeance, or the result of retreating Confederate soldiers? The burning of Columbia remains a topic of heated debate, and this reading invites you to explore the complex narratives behind it. - Summary by Book’s subtitle, Wikipedia, and David Wale