| Columbia, April 1st 1865 |
| |
| Brig. Genl. J. Gorgas |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Genl, |
| Learning that the Express Company will
take letter to Chester & then mail them, I write by that opportunity.
The pig iron is all safe. Shall I also take charge of that sent here
from Charleston Arsenal? The machinery of that Arsenal is a wreck, the
sledge hammer completing the ??? begun by the fire. Col Burton's
machinery was fortunately under a light shed, as I had no other cover
for it; and it is not much damaged, as the shed was speedily consumed. I
learn that the negroes & poor population entered the Arsenal on friday,
& as the enemy did not fire it till sunday, nearly every thing in it was
carried off. Lead, nails, steel, shoe thread, sugar, coffee, & all
stores were pillaged at will. I am getting up all I can; but all in a
damaged state; and most of it will never be heard of again. |
| The Prest. of the Charlotte R. R.
{Charlotte & South Carolina RR} informs me
that he cannot run cars into Columbia before August or Sept, as the Road
is thoroughly destroyed. The trains pass through here from Augusta to
Charleston. Teams could find no food on this route so devastated is the
country for twenty miles in breadth. The trains go by Newberg 40 miles
north of here. |
| I have to pay $10 pr day for laborers,
food being so scarce & high, and there is no prospect of its becoming
more abundant, as the planters are all busy now putting in their crops,
and can spare for trains to bring any thing to market. The supply of
provisions is becoming so low that the Mayor has notified all who can
leave, & who depend upon the City for food, to find quarters in the
country, as soon as possible. All comers bring food with them if the
intend remaining a week or so. I bought my bag of flour & middling of
meat, & am living in primitive style. |
| Respectfully |
| J. T. Trezevant |
| Maj. &c |
|