Civil War Letter Burning of Columbia, Slave Content from 30th Iowa Inf. Soldier

Civil War Letter Burning of Columbia, Slave Content from 30th Iowa Infantry Soldier John C. Lockwood dated March 30, 1865.
 
Transcription:
 
My Dear Nephew,
 
Your truly welcome letter of the 21st July came to hand yesterday, and rest assured I was very glad to hear from you. Over months is so long an interval. I think I last wrote you while I was at Chattanooga, to which I received no reply. I exceedingly regret your impaired health, which I hope has improved ere this, praying that you may be favored abundantly by God’s sustaining grace, granting you patience and meek submission to His will, who “tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.”
 
I had heard indirectly of Susan’s marriage and wish her years of happiness.
Well, I suppose you have watched with interest the progress of our army since swinging off from Atlanta to brave the certain danger and untried dangers and uncertainties of a raid through the heart of rebellion without a base, which you notice was successfully accomplished upon reaching and capturing Savannah. Then again our division into South Carolina, within whose borders we traveled some three hundred miles, subsisting mainly off the country through which we passed, leaving little or nothing upon which to subsist the Rebel army. Continuing our onward course into North Carolina thus far, where we have a base for supplies via Wilmington, New Bern. We arrived here and went into permanent camp on last Monday. We may possibly remain here a few weeks—sufficiently long to reclothe and equip the men and fit up anew for other and untried dangers of another campaign. So you notice by what we have already accomplished and our present intention that we are terribly in earnest in the great work of putting down the rebellion. The prospects brighten as we progress, and we hope will ere long terminate in the establishing of the long-wished-for peace and restoration of us, who are struggling for it, to our homes and friends again. Of the incidents—numerous, varied, and interesting—which have presented themselves during our recent raids, I have not time or space to particularize. One, the most impressive, was the burning of Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, where, I think, was passed the first ordinance of secession. It was truly an awfully grand scene to behold, and as I stood in the midst of the shower of falling sparks and flakes of fire, I felt sad to witness the destruction of so much valuable property and so many helpless women and innocent children so summarily turned out of their comfortable and luxurious homes. As sometime I could but reflect that those guilty Rebels who had formerly luxuriated there, concocting and forming their evil plans against the best of governments, were then receiving their rewards. Our regiment, with our brigade, was the first to enter the city after driving and capturing the few remaining defenders. The mayor meeting and surrendering the city to them… The scenes upon entering the town were exciting and ludicrous. The negroes in droves blocked the streets, gathering around our troops, running and shouting and clapping their hands in ecstasies of joy, bidding welcome a thousand times to the long-looked-for Yankees.
 
As to the blame attaching to any participating brigade, division, or corps for firing Columbia (for it was not done by order), it cannot be justly done. As I believe that the perpetrators were divided among various corps—the liberated prisoners (who had been incarcerated there), the negroes, and possibly other citizens—whiskey infusing and inflaming the whole…
Ed and I have stood the late campaigns remarkably well; my health continuing good. Ed is camped about a mile distant; we meet only occasionally. You have probably heard of his marriage to a Miss Barnes in Fort ? last spring, being blessed with a fine daughter on New Year’s Day.
 
Alf is also married to Miss Brown near Fort Louise. They are now living at Odessa, intending to make a start at farming this spring by renting some land nearby. Her Paul and Sarah were intending to return to the farm in Henry Co. this spring, and I suppose have by this time. Don’t know whether Libbie remains with Alf or goes with Sarah. I want to have her at school, but don’t know whether they can make the necessary arrangements or not. And how glad I’ll be when the time arrives for me to take her under my protection again.
 
Oh poor unfortunate Johnny I can only speak in pain. Probably you have not heard of his becoming insane. The exposure, loss of rest, and intense excitement during the latter part of besieging Atlanta last summer was too much for his excitable temperament. His mind gave way and has continued deranged alternately ever since. Was lost from me for 2 months that I did not know his whereabouts. Made his way back to Nashville where he was placed in the hospital, finally got to St. Louis. Rich John feeding him through November. Greatious, the sanitary agent, and Rich sent him to his uncle Ebins, who was taking care of him, but he got so much worse that they have placed him in a hospital for the insane in St. Louis. So you see my troubles have not been singly lived since you last heard from me. Bereaved of my dear and most devoted companion, your loving aunt, in January of ’64. My dwelling house (recently put up in Odessa) with most of our furniture (including Mr. Paul’s) was burned down last Oct., and Johnny’s derangement—all together requires as much grace and philosophy as I am possessed of to bear up under. But I remember the good Book says, “Trust in the Lord and do good and verily thou shalt be fed.” Don’t know where I shall pitch my tent or what I shall get at when relieved of present engagement. With much love to you all from
 
Your affectionate Uncle, J. C. Lockwood