Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/166

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Times have changed since 1866. General Sherman, in his Memoirs published in 1875, maintains that Columbia was burned by accident and not by design, and makes this most remarkable admission [Memoirs, volume II, page 287]: "In my official report of this conflagration I distinctly charged it to General Wade Hampton, and confess I did so pointedly to shake the faith of his people in him, for he was in my opinion a braggart, and professed to be the special champion of South Carolina."

In other words General Sherman coolly admits that he deliberately made in his official report a false charge against a soldier opposed to him in order to injure him with his own people. We expect at the proper time to show that this admission is fatal to some other statements made by "the General of the Army."

But, fortunately, the character of Wade Hampton was always above reproach, and now, after a career which has made him the idol of his people and the admiration of the world, he goes to take his seat on the floor of that Senate which in '66 denied him the simplest justice.