Pocket diary, 1 Jan. - 29 Apr. 1865, of a Union soldier from Minnesota during final months of American Civil War as a part of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's campaign through the Carolinas; entries describe the burning of Columbia, S.C., on 17 Feb. 1865, as well as weather conditions, troop movements, military activities, camp life, and the daily rain, mud, and burned bridges that so often impeded the fifty-day march of Sherman's 60,000 troops, horses, and wagons from Savannah, Ga., to Raleigh, N.C. Rowley's comments often reflect his vacillating emotional response to the horrors of warfare, ranging from pity for the ragged and hungry, "rebs" to vengeful desires for retribution. Overall there is a sense of anticipation, the unmistakable feeling that peace is at hand. Rowley noted the shortage of food and soaring prices in Savannah, yet one month later he recorded that a recent foraging expedition had found "a great plenty of forage through the Country," returning with sweet potatoes, "bacon, and chickens, &c from one Plantation" (5 Feb. 1865). Concerning such expeditions, he wrote, "Citizens say they don't think we ought to forage if Peace is declared [and] they seem to feel confident that it is or will be soon" (10 Feb. 1865). At the same time, he reflected on the sad condition of the captured "Johnnys" - "They are a forlorn looking set - it is almost a disgrace for us to be fighting against them." Entries also contain information on troop movements and military actives, such as maneuvers in the area of Branchville (Orangeburg County, S.C.), a vital railroad junction between Augusta and Charleston, mention the burning of a water tower and the construction of "a Six Gun Fort where but yesterday a Church stood" (8 Feb. 1865). Two days before the occupation of Columbia, S.C., Rowley observed, "we are Marching over ground of the Revolution of [17]76 & 78, but how different our march is now from then" (15 Feb. 1865). The following day, as Union artillery "Shelled the city for a while but Rec[eive]d no reply," he noted "I cannot help but think how soon the Capital of South Carolina is doomed" (16 Feb. 1865). On 17 Feb. 1865 the city of Columbia was surrendered and Union troops "planted the Flag on the Capitol & we fired a Salute." Sherman's forces crossed the river and entered camp; then, according to Rowley, "the town was soon set afire &... such pillaging I never saw" with "a great many of the men getting drunk." At daylight the next morning, Union troops marched through the streets of the burned city, "it was such an awfull sight, whole Blocks burnt down. Such is the effects of War but it is no more than they deserve so they say themselves" (18 Feb. 1865). Diary entries continue until the cessation of hostilities, providing details of the march through Winnsboro (Fairfield County, S.C.), Cheraw (Chesterfield County, S.C.), Bennettsville (Marlboro County, S.C.), and in North Carolina, through Fayetteville and Goldsboro.
