With the capture and partial destruction of Columbus by the Federal forces in 1865, ends our continuous history of the city. Much as other Southern cities suffered by the war, the loss of Columbus was probably greater than that of any other, for the reason that the great industrial establishments that afforded work and support to so many of her citizens were wholly destroyed, and all the cotton which the planters of the surrounding country had stored here, and which constituted their only available means of raising money where with to continue their work, was burnt. But her recuperation since that time has, under all the circumstances, been most encouraging, if not surprising. Her cotton manufacturing business--her great distinctive industry--is now larger than it was at the trine of the raid, embracing five distinct factories, running 1,020 looms and about 35,000 spindles. The Eagle and Phenix Factory--an immense establishment, with three large factory buildings and a capital of $1,250,000--alone runs about 800 looms and 25,000 spindles. Besides the Eagle and Phenix, are the Columbus Factory, with 116 looms; the Muscogee, with 80; A. Clegg & Co.'s, with 30; and the Steam Cotton Mill, which has spindles only. These several manufacturing establishments consumed 8,500 bales of cotton for the year ending Sept. 1st, 1875, besides a large quantity of wool.

In addition to these manufactories, Columbus has several foundries, one of them having the largest ironworks attached, south of Richmond; also several sash factories, one gin factory, two furniture manufactories, a very large agricultural implement factory, one stove manufactory, two flour mills, one kerosene oil refinery, and one railroad ma chine shop. Four railroads terminate at Columbus. One of them, the North and South railroad, when completed, will add new business to her trade, and will furnish a new and competing line to the West and the sea. Upon its line and upon the line of the Savannah and Memphis road, are the richest coal fields in the South, and iron beds of superior ore practically inexhaustible. The latter road will be, when completed to the Tennessee River, the shortest line from the northwest to the Atlantic. Arrangements have been effected which guarantee its early completion. When these two roads are built, Columbus will no doubt add to the busy whirr of her cotton spindles the ruddy glow of a dozen rolling mills.

Prosperity Of Columbus

With the advance of cotton manufactories there will spring up industries for the production of every description of machinery used therein, and in a dozen years this interest alone should double the population of Columbus. Its growth will be forwarded by the fact of its excellent health and remarkable freedom from epidemics, which have year after year scourged many of its neighboring cities. Its public schools are annually attracting population. They are justly the pride of the city. Extensive gas works have been in operation for many years. Columbus, already the largest city in western Georgia, enjoys a commercial importance which is annually increasing. From four railroads and her river, Columbus receives an immense business from as reliable a population as resides in Alabama, Georgia or Florida. Her business men have the facilities offered by four banks of deposit�one National and three State, to-wit: Chattahoochee National Bank, Merchants and Mechanics Bank, Georgia Home Savings Bank, Eagle and Phenix Savings Bank. There are also two daily and weekly papers�the Enquirer-Sun, being a consolidation of the old Enquirer and Sun and Times; and the Times, more recently established.

Columbus also has one of the largest and most popular Fire Insurance Companies in the State--the "Georgia Home," which ranks second in amount of its policies, and is justly regarded as one of the most responsible institutions of the kind in the South.

Nearly every denomination has erected houses of worship. The Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic, have each commodious churches and the Methodist three. In addition, the colored people have constructed four comfortable churches. The Fire department consists of two steam and two hand engines, and one hook and ladder company. The city government is conservative, and is economically administered. The police are handsomely uniformed and effective, and law, order and quiet are enjoyed by all classes of citizens.

The population of the city and its suburbs (embracing an area within a mile of the court-house in every direction) is not less than 15,000--all of whom do business or trade in. the city. The immense unused water power of Columbus constitutes one of her great resources of future growth and prosperity. In this respect no city of the Union surpasses her. In his report of an instrumental survey made by Col. L. P. Grant, who is recognized by the profession as one of the ablest civil engineers in the South, that gentleman says:

"The total fall of the Chattahoochee between West Point and the foot of the fall at Columbus, is three hundred and sixty (360) feet. The fall is not uniform, but occurs in successive shoals, separated by stretches of comparatively slack water. About one-third (one hundred and twenty (120) feet,) of this descent occurs in three and a half miles, terminating at Columbus."

The single power available immediately at Columbus, (120 feet,) affords fall and water enough, with improved application of power, and the use of improved machinery, To Drive One And A Quarter Million Spindles, affording employ ment for nearly sixty thousand (60,000) people, and forming a basis for a population of about half a 'million people.

With these great natural advantages, and with the start already secured in cotton manufacturing--taking the lead of any other city of the South in this respect--we may proudly hope that the "new era" of Columbus, which we date from the close of the late sectional war, will be more progressive and prosperous than her career of 37 years before that event.