Sherman's Headquarters Marker

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Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sherman's Headquarters

By Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Sherman's Headquarters Marker

Inscription. During the Federal occupation of Columbia February 17-19, 1865 commanding General William T. Sherman had his headquarters here.

Erected 1938 by The Columbia Sesquicentennial Commission of 1936. (Marker Number 40-49.)

Location. 34° 0.234′ N, 81° 1.585′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. Marker can be reached from Gervais Street, on the right when traveling west. Click for map. Located between Henderson and Pickens Streets at Clarion Town House Hotel Driveway. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henderson Street (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Pickens Street (about 400 feet away); Wesley Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Barnwell Street (about 700 feet away); Horry-Guignard House (about 700 feet away); Bull Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Last Home of Wade Hampton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gregg Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding Sherman's Headquarters. On February 17, 1865, during the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by fire while being occupied by Union troops under the

By Mike Stroud, February 28, 2010

2. Sherman's Headquarters Marker

command of General William Tecumseh Sherman. According to legend, Columbia's First Baptist Church barely missed being torched by Sherman's troops. The soldiers marched up to the church and asked the groundskeeper if he could direct them to the church where the declaration of secession was signed. The loyal groundskeeper directed the men to the nearby Washington Street United Methodist church; thus, the historic landmark was saved from destruction by Union soldiers.

Controversy surrounding the burning of the city started soon after the war ended. General Sherman blamed the high winds and retreating Confederate soldiers for firing bales of cotton, which had been stacked in the streets. General Sherman denied ordering the burning, though he did order militarily significant structures, such as the Confederate Printing Plant, destroyed. Firsthand accounts by local residents, Union soldiers, and a newspaper reporter offer a tale of revenge by Union troops for Columbia's and South Carolina's pivotal role in leading Southern states to secede from the Union. Still other accounts portray it as mostly the fault of the Confederacy. Today, tourists can follow the path General Sherman's army took to enter the city and see structures or remnants of structures that survived the fire. (Wikipedia)

Also see . . . Columbia, South Carolina, in the American Civil War. On February 18, Sherman's forces destroyed virtually anything of military value in Columbia, including railroad depots, warehouses, arsenals, and machine shops. (Submitted on March 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

By Mike Stroud, February 28, 2010

3. Sherman's Headquarters Marker

Burning of Columbia Photo, Click for full size

By Harper's Weekly, v. 9, no. 432 (April 8, 1865), p. 217.

4. Burning of Columbia

Sketched by W.Ward

Credits. This page originally submitted on March 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 812 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.