26, which contemplated the passage of his army across Broad River at Alston, fifteen miles above Columbia.

Riding down to the river-bank, I saw the wreck of the large bridge which had been burned by the enemy, with its many stone piers still standing, but the superstructure gone.

Across the Congaree River lay the city of Columbia, in plain, easy view.
I could see the unfinished State-House, a handsome granite structure, and the ruins of the railroad depot, which were still smouldering.

Occasionally a few citizens or cavalry could be seen running across the streets, and quite a number of negroes were seemingly busy in carrying off bags of grain or meal, which were piled up near the burned depot.
Captain De Gres had a section of his twenty-pound Parrott guns unlimbered, firing into the town.

I asked him what he was firing for; he said he could see some rebel cavalry occasionally at the intersections of the streets, and he had an idea that there was a large force of infantry concealed on the opposite bank, lying low, in case we should attempt to cross over directly into the town.