The Burning of Columbia: How Sherman's Army Set Fire to the South Carolina State House on February 18, 1865

On February 18, 1865, as the Civil War neared its violent end, Union Major General William T. Sherman's army entered Columbia, South Carolina, and unleashed one of the most controversial episodes of his Carolinas Campaign. By the next morning, much of the city lay in ruins. Among the structures damaged in the inferno was the South Carolina State House-symbolically the birthplace of secessionist resolve and a prime target in the Union's effort to break the Confederacy's will.

The burning of Columbia remains one of the most debated events of the war. But the timeline is clear: as Union troops moved through the city, fires spread rapidly, and the unfinished State House-already a symbol of Southern defiance-was struck by flames and artillery, leaving scars still visible today.

A City Already on Edge

Columbia was the first state capital to fall to Sherman after his devastating March to the Sea. South Carolina, the cradle of secession, held deep symbolic value for the Union commander. Sherman later wrote that he considered South Carolina "the cause of all the war," and his troops entered the state with a reputation for harsh retribution.

By the time the Union army reached Columbia, the city was already vulnerable:

- Confederate forces had evacuated hastily

- Cotton bales were rolled into the streets and set ablaze by retreating troops

- High winds whipped through the city

- Civilians were panicked and disorganized

This created a combustible environment even before the first Union soldiers marched in.

Sherman's Entry and the Night of Fire

Sherman entered Columbia on February 17, promising protection for civilians and property. But as night fell, chaos overtook the city. Multiple sources-Union, Confederate, and civilian-describe a perfect storm of factors:

- Burning cotton ignited and spread

- High winds carried embers across rooftops

- Looting and drunkenness among soldiers (both Union and Confederate stragglers)

- Collapsing fire brigades unable to contain the flames

By midnight, Columbia was engulfed.

Sherman denied ordering the destruction, blaming Confederate General Wade Hampton for setting cotton fires before retreating. Confederates, in turn, accused Sherman of orchestrating deliberate arson. Historians today generally agree the destruction was not a single intentional act but a convergence of military occupation, environmental conditions, and wartime fury.

The State House: A Symbol in Flames

The South Carolina State House was under construction in 1865, with only parts of the structure completed. Still, it stood as a powerful emblem of the state's political identity and its role in secession.

During the burning of Columbia:

- Union artillery struck the building, leaving visible pockmarks that remain today

- Fires spread to the grounds and scaffolding

- The interior suffered smoke and structural damage

- Statues and decorative elements were toppled or defaced

While the building did not burn to the ground, the damage was significant enough to delay construction for years after the war.

The scars on the exterior-small circular impact marks-are preserved as historical reminders of the bombardment.

Why the State House Mattered

To Union soldiers, the State House represented:

- The birthplace of secession

- The political engine of the Confederacy

- A symbol of the rebellion's legitimacy

To South Carolinians, it was the heart of their government and identity.

Its burning, therefore, carried enormous symbolic weight. The damage was not just physical-it was psychological, signaling the collapse of Confederate authority.

Aftermath and Legacy

By February 18, the fires began to die down, leaving Columbia devastated. Two-thirds of the city's commercial district was destroyed. Thousands were left homeless. The State House, though still standing, bore the marks of war.

In the decades that followed:

- Reconstruction funds helped repair and complete the building

- The scars from Union artillery were intentionally preserved

- The event became a central memory in South Carolina's Civil War narrative

Even today, visitors to the State House grounds can see bronze stars marking where Sherman's artillery struck the walls.

A Moment That Still Sparks Debate

The burning of Columbia remains one of the most emotionally charged episodes of Sherman's campaign. Was it intentional? Was it the inevitable result of war? Or was it a tragic combination of military occupation, Confederate missteps, and uncontrollable fire?

What is certain is that on February 18, 1865, the South Carolina State House-symbol of the state that led the South into secession-was set ablaze during one of the war's most destructive urban fires. The event marked the symbolic collapse of Confederate political power and foreshadowed the Confederacy's final defeat just weeks later.