by Augustine T. Smythe
About this book
Who Burnt Columbia? by Augustine T. Smythe throws a glaring light on one of the Civil War’s most contentious episodes, assembling sworn depositions and firsthand testimony about the destruction of South Carolina’s capital. This compelling collection—part legal record, part historical investigation—centers on the statements of Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and Gen. O. O. Howard, framed within claims filed against the United States and reviewed by the Mixed Commission on British and American Claims.
Rooted in the Carolinas Campaign of early 1865, the narrative situates Columbia’s burning within late-war strategy, occupation challenges, and the chaotic aftermath of liberation and retreat. Listeners encounter military perspectives, claimant affidavits, and contemporary dispute over intent, responsibility, and the rules of war. Themes of accountability, civilian suffering, reconstruction-era litigation, and the power of eyewitness evidence surface throughout, making the work as much a forensic inquiry as a historical chronicle.
Perfect for fans of war stories, Civil War scholars, and listeners who favor primary-source audio, this audiobook offers a sober, documentary-style exploration of a disputed moment in American history—essential listening for anyone seeking a deeper, evidence-driven account of Columbia’s fate.
