4k. Realistic. Civil War. As the Union Army approached Columbia on February 14, 1865, panic gripped the city as citizens and officials scrambled for safety. Without any organized plan or priority system, chaos reigned supreme as people desperately sought space on outbound trains. In the tumultuous scene, families clutching belongings rushed through the streets, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. The sounds of frantic footsteps echoed against the backdrop of distant cannon fire, a haunting reminder of the impending danger. Amidst the chaos, Confederate authorities struggled to maintain order, their attempts at evacuation hindered by the lack of foresight and planning. With no clear direction, the evacuation efforts devolved into a frantic scramble for survival. Tragically, the oversight proved disastrous, as the vital cotton reserves, intended for destruction as part of Confederate strategy, remained untouched. The failure to carry out this crucial mandate would have far-reaching consequences for the city and its inhabitants. In the wake of the chaotic evacuation, Columbia stood vulnerable, its fate hanging in the balance as the Union Army closed in, poised to seize control of the strategic city. --ar 16:9