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

Sherman's Headquarters

Photographed 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.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 1912.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 0.234′ N, 81° 1.585′ W. Marker was in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It was in Midtown - Downtown. Marker could be reached from Gervais Street, on the right when traveling west. Located between Henderson and Pickens Streets at Clarion Town House Hotel Driveway. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Henderson Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); S.C. Education Associaton (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); Alston House (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Carolina State Library (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding Sherman's Headquarters.

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On February 17, 1865, during the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by fire while being occupied by Union troops under the 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

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 28, 2010

2. Sherman's Headquarters Marker

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.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 28, 2010

3. Sherman's Headquarters Marker

Burning of Columbia image. Click for full size.

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

4. Burning of Columbia

Sketched by W.Ward

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,509 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.