Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to John A. Lynch
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09035 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1873 Pagination: 3 p. Order a Copy
Denies he ordered the burning of Columbia, South Carolina. "The only interest I have in the burning of Columbia is in its true history... the firing was not done by the Authority of the US. The fire once begun the prevailing wind accounts satisfactorily for its Spread. There were enough Causes for the beginning of the fire, in the Acts of the Enemy in firing cotton in the streets, in the burning of the bridges & depots all of which is Known to have occurred before we entered the town...Also the Negros, whose angry feelings were manifest and ... the Public whipping Post near the Market house... may have been the real Cause..."
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