The New York Herald Newspaper, February 28, 1865, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 10,410. OHARLESTON. Our Special Account of the Oc- cupation of the City. ‘xclting Scenes in the Harbor on the Unfarl- ing of the Old Flag On the Forts. ‘The City Surrendered by the Mayor and @ Large Number of Citizens. “nthusiastic Reception of Our Troops by the Citizens. CAPTURE OF ANOTHER BLOCKADE BUNNER. The Bue de Chartres, with a Valuable Cargo, Secured. {HE CITY A COMPLETE WRECK. Extent of the Damage Done by Gillmore’s “Swamp Angel ov. Aiken, Dr. Mackey and Other Union Men Found in the City, &e., &e., Sees ‘The United States steamer Memphis, eleven guns, left Marleston bar at seven o'clock on the morning of Tues- day, 21st inst., and arrived here on Sunday. ‘The following is a list of the officers of the Memphis:— Acting Masters—R. ©. Patterson, commanding; J. B. Acting Assistant Surgeon—W. H. 5 yreress Assistant Bogmior™ Franko Arog ——— . Cowing, B. D. Reed, Geo. Cham- i Acti yn . H. ; Acting Third Assistant, John E. Conner. ‘The Memphis brings as passengors Commander Win. Reynolds, commanding naval depot, Port Royal; Acting Bosign P. Fagan, Acting Ensign A. A, Franzen, and #ywen of the officers and crew of the blockade runner Deer. ‘The Deer was a new steamer which was captured while nite, g to run into Charleston on the night of Febru. sry 18, by the Camelia, She had got part of the way in ‘when, discovering the fleet to be so far up the harbor, the officer suspected something, and attempted to run the vessel out again, when she ran ashore. It was her rst trfp. Her cargo consisted priucipally of liquors. The Memphis has been out about twenty months, and ‘as had steam on for 390 consecutive days. She will probably go into dry dock for repairs. ¢ ‘When the Momphis left Charleston the American flag was flying on all the forts in the harbor, and in the city ‘self General Gillmore had located his headquarters in ‘he city, having taken possession of the old Citadel Academy building. Admiral Dablgren’s flagship was ying in the Cooper rive Mr. Oscar G. be. wyer’s Despatch. Cranixstox, 8, C., Feb. 20, 1866. BARDEE’S MOVEMENTS ON EVACUATING THE CITY, ‘The glorious intelligence of the evacuation by General Hardee of this city, and its occupation by General Schem melfinnig’s forces, has doubtless reached you before this, wither through rebel sources or by the Fulton. The de- parture of the Fulton was go quick after the occurrence of the great event that it was impossible to give more ‘aan a brief announcement of the fact, and to postpone a @etailed account until the departure of the next steamer. General Hardee, who had watched with increasing un- easinees the operations of General Potter at Bull's bay, Yareatening the only line of communication left him to withdraw his forces upon, hurriedly prepared to evacu- ete. His preparations for the movement wore detected y our vigilant scouts, lookouts and signal officers, and *beir purport rightly divined by General Schemmeifinnig, who had watched every movement for a long time with » sleepless vigilance. On Friday night Hardee's movement began, the garri- eon of Sullivan’s Island and Point Pleasant quietly with- “drawing and retreating over the road by Christ's church, just in time to escape Pottor’s advance cutting them off. ‘fhe troops in the city moved out on the Northeastern Railroad, as did the garrison on James Island, which was ‘Smally evacuated on Saturday morning. HOW THE OLD YLAG WAS UNFURLED ON SUMTER. Bhortly after daylight it was discovered that there were Bo troops in and about Sumter, or Moultrie, or in ‘tae works on James Island. Lieutenant Colonel Bennett, of the Twenty-first United States colored troops, com- mending Morris Island, immediately despatched Major ‘Hennessy, of the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, © Fort Sumter, in asmall boat, to ascertain whether the fort was evacuated. Major Hennessy procesded to Sum- er, and soon waved the old Stars and Stripes over the battered battlements of the work, from which they bad been torn down in April, 1861. The sight of the old flag a Sumter was an assurance that the enemy had evacu- weed all their works, and it was hailed by every demonstration of joy by all, on ship and ashore. Another boat, in charge of Lieutenant Hack- #% of the Third Rhode Island artillery, was immediately sent to Fort Moultrie to take possession of that work, and raise again the national colors upon its® parapet, fhe navy, anxious to share inthe honors of the day, sigo launched a boat, and strove togain the beach of Sallivan’s Island before the army, and an exciting rece ensued betwgen the bonis of the different branches of sve service. Each boat’s crew were urged on to the ut- vost by their respective commanders, and every nerve ead muscle was strained to pull the boate to their ut weost speed. Itwasa friendly but earnest trial of en- @rrance and skill, Every man felt that the credit and honor of the service rested on himeelf, and redoubled is exertions to attain success, The race was a close we, the boats being evenly matched; and when one forged a little ahead; it was recognized by the cheers of tte friends, who watched with intense intoreat the pro. reas of the contest, Fine!!y, after a hard pull and as fast a race as Charles. ton harbor ever witnessed, the army boat, under Liew tenant Hackett, reached the sbore in advance. As she wuched the officer and crew sprang out on the beach, trough the surf, and rushed for the goal, The parapet was soon gained and the flag given to the breeze, amid the cheers of the soldiers and sailors, who had come o 4 moment or two behind him, The fort was found completely evacuated, as, were all the works on the tland, The guns were all spiked and some of the car. riages somewhat damaged. A large quantity of muni fons was found in the magazines, which the enemy had aot found time to destfoy. ROW TUR OLD TLAG WAS DRPLAYED OVER IEE “‘AooURMZO vy” ‘Whon the fing floated over Moultrie Lieutenant Colonel Demnett, Major Hennessy and Lieutenant Burr, of the rifty-eecond Pennsylvania, started out for the city, wving orders to have troops follow. They pulled p tho bay, while the rebel iron-clads and vessels wore in flames and the ity itself was burning at va- we points, Reaching Fort Ripley, or what is known the Middle Ground battery, the tag was displayed over ‘6 work, and waved for afew moments, The party on pushed on to Castle Pinckney, when the same cero ony of taking porseneion was observed, and then the as was pulled cautiounly, but direetty, toward tho city % hostile foree wan observed, but a large nunber of ne ees apd eqwe whiER Ware FOO ONAL oy the dorky Se watching the approach of the ‘Yankee boat.” Colonel Bennett immediately landed, and “Old Glory” was dis- Played again in the City of Charleston, amid the cheers and cries of joy of the crowd assembled about it. It was perfect storm of applause and outbursts of unfeigned Joy and satisfaction. The negroes, with all their impul- siveness, were equalled by the whites in their exhibition of satisfaction and pleasure at the great event. -They in the loyalty of a certain partion of the citizens of their Thave the honor to be, Mayor, Very respectfully, your obedient A. G. " Lieutenant Colonel Commanding United States f ng forces, ‘MAYOR MACBETH’S SURRENDER, To this demand Colonel Bennett was subsequently handed, by a committee from the Mayor, consisting of Aldermen Gilland and Williams, a letter which he was about to despatch to Morris Island:— To the Gewgrat Commanpina the Army of the United ‘States at Morris Island:— Sm—The milit authorittes of the Confederate States have evacuated this city. I have remained to enforce Jaw and peers order until you take such steps as you arr tape bedient servan r. Yi YOCCHARLES MACBETH, Mayor, After a brief interview, in which the Aldermen in- formed Colonel Bennett that the city had been ared by the rebels in various places, and that the town was threatened by a total destruction, as the firemen were all secreted, in consequence of the operations of the rebel cavalry, who were impressing them end driving them from the town whenever found; and they desired pro tection from the rebels, in order that the firemen might perform their duty without fear of being seized. To this application Colonel Bennett returned to the Mayor the following communication :— Wu. ‘Unirgp States Heanq Forczg, A Near Attantio Warr, Feb. 18, 1865, Mayor Cuarues Maceers—I have the honor to‘ ac- cp yiedae the receipt of your communication of this Thave in roply thereto to state that the troops under my command will render every possible assistance to your Well disposed citigens in extinguishing the ‘fires now irhing. I have the honor to be, Mayor, ver 1» ey Lieutenant Colonel commanding United States’ ‘s0rbes, Charleston. rie 4 CHARLYSTON VEACE COMMISSIONER'S ADVENTURES, Alderman Williams, who happened to be mounted on a fine horse, rode back to the Mayor to deliver the communi- cation. He had not proceeded more than a block or two when he came upon fifty rebel cavalry, who were watchg ing affairs. The; bene ag’ doar the 'e commissioner, and blandly observed they thought they should be compelled to dismount big, a they were under the impression that they would the horse in the coun- try. He reflected an iustant, and then observed, in a careless way, that perhaps the Yankees, who had just landed five hundred strong, might object, and he would think of the matter. The announcement of the arrival of five hundred Yankees was quite enough for the bold troopers. Without taking his horse Ce farther palaver they wheeled, and rode wildly up Meeting street, an- nouncing the aj of the Yankees to ‘au stragglers, and there was instantly a great commotion and a hurry- ing off of trains. > leunwhile the fires were spreading with groat ra- pidity, and threatened to sweep over the ew (f until fifty men from Morrig Island reinforced Colonel’ Bennett's httle bandful of men, when he instantly moved up into town with twenty-five men, smail detachments to take charge of the public buildings and depots. RECEPTION OF OUR TROOPS BY THK CITIERNS. His march up Meeting street was one continued ova- tion. Crowds thronged the streots, and cheered, hur- rahed, waved handkerchiefs, and in other ways mani- fested their delight at the arrival of our troops, and at the sight of the old flag, borne ahekd of the little com- ny of colored 5 ¢ officers were mounted on orses, borrowed for the occasion, and could hardly kee) their saddles, so many enthusiastic individuals, of bot sexes, were at the same time shaking them by the hand, ching hold of their garments, hugging their horses, and’welcoming them in other violent styles. Charleston never witnesved such a scene before, or echoed so loudly tothe cheers for ‘President Lincoln,” the “Stars and Stripes,” the “Yankee army,” and other patriotic sub- jects, as it did on that memorable day. One would sup- poze that the people had gone mad with joy. It was a universal outburst of joy, amd the little band of Yankees moved on with’ all the éolat of most honored friends, instead of successful enemies and conquerors. Was this, deed, the hotbed of treason—the v home of disloyalty and rebellion? None would have dreamed of it had they witmessed the reception of our flag and troops that day. It was a most wonderful display of loy- alty and patriotism. SAVING THE ARSENAL. Colonel Bennett took posseasion of the Citadel, and sent a detachment at once to the Arsenal, which was saved from destruction, and with it the city perhaps, by the timely arrival of our men. The rebels had prepared a train for its explosion, but before they could fire it they were driven away by our troops. The report that the Arsenal was to be blown up at nooa produced the great- est consternation among the citizens resid! in the neighborhood, It contained a large quantity of Ponder we re- and fixed ammunition, and its explosion would peated the Savannah catastrop! with more horrible results, It was saved, however, and the citizens began to return to their deserted residences. At about one o'clock the last rebel who pro, going away had left town, and the deserters and rebel firemen began to emerge from their places of secretion and ap- pear on the streets. The firemen got out their apparatus and devoted themselves to the extinguishment of the fires now raging with violence at various points in the city. They were aided by our troops, who began to arrive in numbers, and ‘a long struggle the flames were checked in their headway; but not until 8 number of buildings were destroyed. A large quantity of cotton, probably two thousand bales, was destroyed, together with a considerable amount of supplies. THE CATASTROPHE AT THR WILMINGTON DEPOT, The city during these conflagrations was in an agony of fear. A most horrible cata#trophe had occurred in the morning, which had terrified all. The depot of the Northeastern Railroad had been biown up and @ large number of itves lost. In this building a quantity of cartridges and kegs of powder bad been stored by the rebels, and as they had not time to remove it they left it unprotected. A number of men, women and children had collected to watch the burning of @ quantity of cotton i the railroad yard, which the rebels had fired, and during the conflagration a number of boys, while running about the depot, had discovered the powder. For the fun of the thing, and without realizing the danger they incurred, they began to take up handfuls of loose der aud and bear them from the depot to the mass of burning cotton on which they flung them, and enjoyed a deal of amusement in watching the flashes of the powder and the strange effects on the cotton as it was blown hither and thither by the explosion of the cartridges. Quite a number of boys soon became eng! in this dan- gerour pastime, and speedily the powder running from their hands formed a train upon the ground leading from the fire to the main supplies of’powder in the depot. The result is easily conjectured. A spark ignited the powder in the train, there was a leaping, runting line of fire along the ground, and then an explosion that shook the city Lo its very foundations from oue end to the other, ‘The building was tn a second n whirling mass of ruins, in atremondous volnme of flame and smoke. A report rivaling Heaven's artillery followed, and then @ silence ensued that made every one tremble and hold his breath, The cause of the tremendous explosion soon became known, and a rush was made for the scene of the catas- trophe. Such a sight is rarely witnessed. The building was in ruins, and irom the burning mass arose the ago- nizing cries of the wounded, to whom little or no agaist ance could be rendored by the paralyzed spectators, Many, wounded by the flying fragments of the building were removed from the additional danger of the fire, but those in the depot or immediately about it wore irretrievably lost, One by one was roached by the furious flames, the supplicating voices and the fearful, Le eye Kroans that appalled the stontest heart died ‘away and coused, and charred remains only were left by the devouri @loment as it moved on to new victims, who soon paseed amid that horrid scene from life to death, Language cannot adequately describe the terrible nature of the scene, The cries for aid and rescue from the wounded withia fell re illing ears; but nothing could be done to assint thent or even to alleviate the final pangs. The flames, like a fabled movster, strode on, licking up everything inflammable and enveloping its victims in its fiery and deadly embrace. Fortunately the sutferings of the unfortunate creatures were not prolonged. The work was dono quickly, and soon every voice was si- fe coker yen hushed and every spirit gathered to 118 maker horrors of the scene will never fado from the minds of those who were so unfortunate as to witness it, Over one hundred and fifty mre said to have a ae A! sha fery furnace, and a hundred men ot 4 more or r were burned by the ~ seriously by the esploeion or OTHE OTE VONV® FERRE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THR CITY. Frum the deat the Org muveud raukily, apd oampunt- HE NEW YOR fcr tT awhak AE ATOAA ME NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1865: a ing ei the buildings threatened de- ion to that of town. Four squares, em- braced in the area bounded jon, wpa net poner ruanets, I pee. age siete hes el Gyde steel paddle-w! eweamer, the Duc de came in last nig! ‘and was quietly of off Fort Moultrie, where she had the ut a up to She is a valuable and ‘tee inden, b ith what I was ‘imable to barn, The nts a also side-wheel steamer, of six or seven hi tons, anda joted and successful runner. One steamer ran out the night of the evacuation, and will bear to our English friends at Nassau the agreeable and joyful intelligence that their last port fs finally blockaded, and that they must hereafter attempt to earn an honest penny in some other loss congenial manner. Three blockade runners are now due at Charleston. When they come they will probably get through the blockade, which is just now somewhat easy, and will be bagged at the city. We trust our cousins will hurry out @ great fleet of their boat steamers and send them to thia pee We shall receive them mogt cordially, We like to ave them come now-a-days. PROPBRTY CAPTURED IN THR CITY. Al quantity of property was captured in the city by our forces, 6 rebels burned a great deal that could be got at; but we are informed that at least ten thousand bales of cotton are in the city, secreted in various places, which the rebel authorities could not reach and destroy. A large quantity of rice also remains in private hands. Over two hundred thousand pounds have already been found and have been turned over to Captain Fowler, As- sistant Commissary of Subsistence on General Schemmel- finnig’s staff. A ion of this will be given the poor. Then there is quite a quantity of manufactured tobacco already in our bands, and more is coming to light daily. Some supplies were captured which could not be de- stroyed or carried off by the retreating rebels. This will also be given to the needy. Seven locomotives in pretty good order, and quite a number of cars of various kinds, were taken, and will be repaired and made available for future use. in the fortifications of the -, over two hundred | od of heavy calibre were}found, spiked, and rendered tem- Porarily useless, An immense quantity of ammunition also fell into our hands, and al! of the best quality. Pre- cisely how much has not been ascertained, as searcely all have yet been visited, and no inventory has beon taken of their armaments. APPRARANCE OF THR CITY. ‘The reports ¥ the Charleston editors that the city ex- perienced but little damage from our shells, like —- others emanating from the same source, were essentially false. 1t requires no very extended examination in the lower streets of the city-——those near the bay—to satisfy the mort sceptical of the fact that our shells were working most serious injury to the tor and thatthe continuance of the bombardment would it @ mage of ruins, as it had already rendered it untenable to most eous resident. But two persons resided in ‘Shell town,” as some wag named that of the city east of the two poile pot, visited by our shelis, and they clung to thelr firesides with a tenacity of fala that the most demon- trative and aggressive shell failed to relax. Though their beds were torn to pieces while they were in their domestic affairs—both being impertinent shells, and their culinary affairs seriously damaged by projectiles, their roofs per- forated, and ventilators put in fyppt of their dwellings, with ecoolness and eqianimity rarely found. Perhaps a cooiness and equ: rarely fount their love of retirement and seclusion may have had something to do with this plucky exhibition, for they were never beni ee by fi nent visite from idle gos- sips or tax gatherers. Even the rebel officers, who ordered them away from the dangerous ground, fafled to calla third time to ascertain whether or not the ord had been obeyed. They lived through the entire bom-' bardment, became accustomed to the howl of the rush- ing shell and its sharp explosion, and paid ho rent, although the buildings they occupied suggested heavy rents. Now that quiet and safety are insured they pro- to repair and live comfortably once more. ‘anes Iwas about describing briefly the appearance of city. ‘On landing you observe that the wharves are in a very dilapidated condition, tnat tells very plainly that they have not been much in use the past four years. The palmetto logs that form the cribs are covered with grass, and the planking is much decayed, full of man traps, and about worthless so far as cartage is concerned. Ad- vancing up the rickety docks, you come toa of sand, over which poer the muzzles of heavy guns, bear- ing down the channel, for home defence; then around or over the batteries into the silent sti covered with the debris from shattered stores and dwellings, and bearing at points a tolerably crop of grass—the same kind of be nips ged prung up in the streets of New ‘ork when King Cotton exercised his potent sway. Not @ butiding for blocks here that is exempt from the marks of shot and shell. All have suffered more or less. Here is a fine brown stone bank building, vacant aud deserted, with great gaping holes inthe sides and roof, through which the sun shines and ee and sashes blown out by exploding shell within, gore | knocked down; counters torn floors crush: in, and fragments of mosaic pavemi en and crushed,'lying around on the floor, mingled with bits of statuary, stained glass and broken parts of chandeliers, Ruin within and without, and ite neighbor in no better plight. Here a great shell has struck the chimney and ¢rushed a large portion of the roof in; then exploding, distributed its fragments through the ceilings, and burst ‘out great patches of brick and mortar, ‘whieh now lle on the pavement below, untouched since they fell. Every imaginable ‘Of buildings have been damaged by our fire, and not a single house in this portion of the town has escaped. Nota building is occupied, save by the brave women to whom I have already referred, and the front doors or windows gape open, through which you | may gaze upon battered offices, demolished stores and counting rooms in ruin, where commerce once dwelt od active business men pursued their respegtive vocations vomolested and undisturbed. The churché®, St. Michael’s and St. Philip's, have not escaped the storm of our projectiles. Their roofs are perforated, their walls wounded, their pillars.demolished, and within, the pews filled with plastering or fragments of mural tablets, which were to per te the memory of some good inan long asleep in the graveyard near by. You may count up ® round number of shell holes in their steeples, and many upturned monuments in their graveyards. War is cruel, and the howling projectile that takes its start four miles and a half away is indifferent whether it ploughs up the marble that affection has placed over the remains of long buried worth, or crashes into the political balls where treason is plotted or crime against humanity is conceived, The cold iron has been no respecter of pro- perty in Charleston. The and rich and poor, criminal and saint—if there be any of the latter hero— have rece: visits from the Parrott projectiles, and keenly fell the Justice of the vigitation, From bay street, studded with batteries, to Calhoun street, our shells have carried destruction and desolation, and often death with them, Within that limit no hour was safe from their destructive visite; and no one lived there except in @ constant state of alarm and dread. None knew whon the death-dealing shot would come, and none felt easy or safe fora moment. Below Calhoun Btrect but little business was done and but few lived, and this was the most important portion of the town. All the hotels were vacated when the bombardment com- menoed ; stores were closed, offices were moved, churches remained unopened, and an air of desolation soon brooded over that portion of the town, where, in daya of peace the most animation and life were to be found. Ping years will not make the city what it was before the war; and Py we wore told that the town was not damaged by our fire to any great extent, What magnificent liars wore the fugacious editors of the Charleston pros | ‘THE POOR OF THR OITY. Daring the war most of the wealthier classer have left the city and found a temporary home where; but « large portion of the inhabitants, not well aupplied with worldly effects, was compelled to remait are now, perhaps, ten of twelve thousand inhabitants in the city, and ninety-nine one hundredths of saose are in ox. tremely reduced cireumstances. They bave iii ur no monoy available under the different order of things that now oxist, and not a very bountiful supply of provisions Cut off from any means for the present to gain a liveli hood, they will suffer for sume time to come for the eom. mon ‘nocorsaries of life, Recogniving this state of fact Colonel Bennett, commandant of the city, has had al the rice and such other subsistence as has been found tarned over to Capt. Fowler, Commissary of Sub. sisience, who, conjointly with Governor Aiken, Hon, G’orgo KF! Williams and Dr. Albert G. Mackey’ a committeo appointed by Colonel Bennett wiil distribuce them among the poor, and alievinte, i a menwure, the gufiering that most ensue. Governor Aiken and Dr Mackey are prominent and woll known oitizens of this city, The former was the candidate in the memorabl vontoat fog Speaker against Goueral Danke over, Bir Wien tage hg CB Rea Mackey are men Whose Union sentinients have been war began. They have known in Charles; sin inning, until opposition ‘toned, gen- opposed secession from ceased to be of Bothate high 4) = - rat peas to be under martial lew, All by the Meyor, Common- courts, police authorities and 8 com! otherwiee organized, will be pees to pérform duty under their existing regu- Citizens who are well disposed toward the federal gov- ernment are assured that adequate protection will be afforded their persons aud rty, and that it is the design of the United States military authorities to restore order, preserve quiet, soar ae government, and pre- vent any further attempt to nullify or to disregard the eS uae ad Willoughby, Twenty-Qret regiment jor ronty- U.8. Cv, ls announced as Assistant Provost Marsbal, and will be obeyed and respected hag, § 4. G. BE) , Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-firat regiment U. 8. €. T., commanding city of Charkeston, and Provost Marshal Northern District, Department of the South. Official:—Jawes F. Havu.ann, Firat Lieutenant One rarer eae Twenty-seventh regiment N. Y. V., and Colonel Bennett has deo issued the following general order, for the government city. ‘Hxanqvarrens U. 8, Force, Cuanuxstontrry, 8. 6., Oaks, Feb. 18, 1865. Hereafter the sale of all malt or aleoholic liquor ts strictly prohibited. An wie found (pe of any vio- lation of this order will be immediately placed in coi 3, Hh finement, ani all proj ig to such mm can- ted.’ The Provost 1 will require his patrol, Police and provost guard tg rigidly enforce this order. By ordor of ‘Colonel A. G. BENNETT, Henry H. Jexxs, Captiiin Fifty-second Penusylvania Volunteers, A. A. A. ‘The order concerning distribution of to the needy I alzo give, as follows :— General “Wo 3. Hfespqvarrers Unirgp States Forces, Cuanvaston, S. C., Feb. 20, 1865. 1. All rice heretofore in the keeping of the city. gov. ernment will at once be taken possession of by the United States military authoritios. 2 Captain E. R. Fowler, Twenty-first regiment United States colored troops, Actiug Commissary of Sub- pistance will immediately take charge of the rice. He will report in person to these headquarters for instruc- tons. & Hon. William Aiken, George W. Williams, Esq., aud Dr. Mackey, are appointed ® committee of citizens who will distribute the rice to the poor of the city. By carder of A. G. BENNETT, Lioutenant Colonel Twenty-first regiment United States colored troops, communding city Provost Marsbal. Jas. F. Havitanp, Firat ant One Hundred and Twenty-soventh ro seco New York Volunteers, Acting Assistant Inspector General. For the present acres eit be tllowed to transact business a8 usual, under stich restrictions as nmy be here- after placed uvon wil. be seen by @ cireular which I berewith give:— mis Circular ~ 1. si sii quanteRe, Uxrrep States Custer, 8 €., Feb, 20, eo} Citizens of the city who Heretofore have been engaged in any logitimate trade are desired to open their reapeo- tive places of business imunt ly. In no case will liquor or intoxicating beverages bo given away or sold to any soldier of the command. By order of A. G, BENNETT, Lieutentant Colonel Twenty-first regiment United States colored troops, commanding city and Provost Mar- shal. James ¥. Havi.ann, First Lieuten: One Hundred and Twenty-sevonth regiment New York Volunteers, Acting Assistant Inspector General ‘y Business will be resumed to some extent in a few days; it I fancy little will be done. The Charbeston Me rue reellence tho fire eatt ton Mer par ex 10 fire eatin, last ditch erof the South, whose editors frantically called upon its readers to die mather than be conquered, ‘and who urged all to make Charleston positively the last ditch—quietly suspended publication one day, when the Jorg aged of its editors being put in that ditch with a mus- ot in their hands became exceedingly bright and favora- ble, packed up its type, press and material, and deserted the town, leaving its deluded readers without any stimu- lus to remain and fight. BR was removed to Cheraw, 8.C., and, like the Memphis ‘4; will doubtless be: come a perambulating sheet in future, and, like the god from whem it derives its name, bo aro) from, place*to Place, and will Mnally find the ditch which it is in gearch of. It isa winged Mercury now, and will proba- bly keep on the wing while Sherman is sauntering about the country. Tho Courier remained and continued publication, mere. ly dropping “Confederate States of America” from its heading, and forgetting to place in its stead United States of America. Its tone was somewhat changed, too, being subdued and neutral. This morning it was taken - sion of by Licutenant Colonel Woodford, Provost Marshal General of this Department, and placed in cb of George Whittemore, correspondent ef the New York Times, and George W. Johnson, of the Port Royal New South, who will issue to-morrow morning @ loyal paper. Both Mr. Whittemore and Mr. Johnson ate gentlemen of talent and experience, and will make a good, live news- per of the Courter. They will achieve a success, I am sure. All the printing material in the job offices in town bave also been turned over to them. PORT SUMTER. General Gilimore and staff anda party of gentieme: and ladies visited Fort, Sumter to-day in the steamer W. W. Coit. The for wast‘found to be in a very strong con- dition fordefence, It had nine in its armament— two ritied thirty-twes, one ten-inch columbiad, two rifled twenyy four inch, {&% casemate, looking toward Moultrie, r mountain howitzers and Dahigren Bowitzers on parapet to repel assaulting parties. Within it was 90 arranged that if an party got over the iron en- tanylements, abattia and obstructions, gained the parapet and descended to the terreplein of the they would be under a musketry fire from all jnte which they could not reply to. The work could have been taken only by a Leavy lose of life, It is stronger than when we fired the first gum against it, In my next I will ° tg A describe it. Mrs. Dr. Clymer and Mrs. Dr. Peters, of York, Mrs, Lt. Col. Woodford and Mrs. Carmi- chae! were the first ladies to visit the city and Fort Sum ter since they changed flags, REBEL ACCOUNTS. Horrors of the Evacuation of Charleston, {From the Charleston Courier, Feb, 20.) The terrible seenos through which this community has passed since our last issue can only be conceived by those who witnessed the dreadful reality, The saddest part of ail is the loss of life which occurred between eight and nine o'clock Saberéey morning from an accidental explo- sion of powder and the blowing up of the Northeastern Railroad depot. About one hundred and fifty persons— including men, women and children—were either ina! killed or perished in the flames, and about two hun. red wounded. Of the immense destruction of property py van be formed, but it will amount to several millions. Early Saturday morning, before the retirement of General Hardee's troops, every building, warehouse or shed, stored with cotton, was fired by @ guard detailed for the purpone, ‘The engines wore brought out; but with the small force at the disposal of the Fire Department very little else could done than to keep the surrounding butldings from igniting. On the woatern side of the city the conflagration raged with great fury, On the wharf of the Savannah Railroad depot rovers! hundred bales of cotton were awaitin; shipment on the blockade runners; also several thouea bushels of rough rice, On Lucas ‘street, loading to the depot, war a shed containing twelve hundred bales of cotton, which, together with several other sheds and buildings died with eotton, belonging to private parties, fell « prey to the flames. Lucas’ Mill, containing some thirty thousand bushels of rice, and Mr. BR. T. Walker's warehouse ab the footof Broad atroet, hiled with com miseary atores, wero aleo destroyed Shortly after eight o'clock oeourred the terrible ox. plosion at the Northeastern Railroad, The explosion was tremendous, and shook the whole élty. It appears, from all accounts, that this dreadful catastrophe wis eauved from the careless handling of powder by some boys, taking handfulg and throwing. it Into. the co fire at the dopo In doing this they unwittingly laid atran to the apartment in which it was stored, The i, followed was horrible. In an inal . « was enveloped in rmoke and flamer. woundod, the snability of the zpeota “ ‘stone 0 thore rolling and perishing int ouierod it a scone of Indevoribadhe Lorror vad WIN oread rapidity, «@ AIOY Wi build including the fine large reai- on the northeast comer of Chapel and Alexander streets, all of which were de- stroyed. The Lane on the opposite side of the st rect were soon enveloped in and the fre now became All the buildings embreced in the area of four squares on Chapel, Alexander, Washington and Charlotte streets to Calhoun ‘with few exceptions, were ed. About ten o’ fire broke out in the ry brick building of Madam DuRee, at the the adjoining dence of Dr. Another fire broke out of buildings on the west street, next to the Court House. Five ned, ‘the walls only were loft standing, ht, in Ward four, was of the of @ millinery estab- © fires the new bridge from the eet on Ope, and wag still buraing itendeat Thomas explosions were observers, As e full form of the rattle by many as it gradu- three gun! to ‘the Confederate navy went one: river. Nearly all the government stores in jo ety were safely ht off, and the cotton in the place was burn All the citizens who could get out @ame away. There seems to bave been some ly heavy skirmishing, but no fee Bebting before our forces evacuated Columbia. e South Carolina Railroad depot took fire from a Yankee shell thrown into it, and some ammunition ¢: Killing two or three persons and wounding six The Rebel Troops Formerly at ton Gone to Oppose Sherm: the Raleigh Confederate, Feb. We have been informed by a young man (a resident of this place, and whose word can be relied on), who left leston, 8. C., on Friday evening, that Charleston was evacuated by our troops on Friday night last, and it is now, no doubt, in the enem; ion. Before leav- ing government stores of all kinds were removed, as well ag a great deal of the heavy ordnance. All guns left were spiked and otherwise disabled. The tron-clad gunboats were sent up Cooper river, and all other shipping de- stroyed. Our troops had all departed to confront Sherman, Kinggville and Florence wero stlll in possossion of our twoops by the latest account. {From the Raleigh Progress, Feb. 22.) ‘We saw and conversed yesterday with a young gentle- man of this city, vaho left Charleston on Friday, at one riday night, an thou, e enemy posses- sion ‘x the city on Sunday. The throe eiey belong - ing to the Confederate navy thas were in the harbor went up Cooper river. Nearly all the government ‘stores, our informant states, were brought off safely, and the cotton in the city was burned. Many of the citizens came away—all, our informant thinks, that could get away. were piled up at Florence and ail along the road. Our forces fell back to Monk's Corner, some thirty miles this side of Charleston. General Hardee's headquarters, ft was ipa io pod at Kingstree. The evacuation of the city was di On a8 8 st movement, and was not the result of any present to hold it. KEY WEST. Our Key West Correspondence. Kay West, Fia., Feb. 18, 1865. The Steamer Empire City on Shore at Cary:fort Ref— Probable Total Wreck—Troops and Prisoners Taken from Her and Brought to Rey West, dc. The United States steamer Albatross arrived here this morning, bringing intelligence that the quartarmaster’s steamer Empire City is on shore at Carysfort peef, and is likely to be a total wreok. At half-past eight o’clock on the night of the 16th inst., while within sight of Carysfort light, distant ten miles, she struck with considerable force. Kedges were im- mediately got out, anda portion of the vessel’s cargo, of quartermaster’s stores, was thrown over- board, with the view of pemng. the ship off by ligktan- ing her and getting a good in On the hawsers, but without effect. At the time sho struck she was running at the rate of nine knots, and hagging the shore as closely as was deemed safe, in order to avold the strong current of the Gulf stream; ‘but a strong indraught drew her towards the shore, causing her to run on ihe rect. The Empire City had on board three hundred and forty- five soldiers, principally reeruite, who were intended to make 4 the required number ot different ar am at New Orleans and adjacent places. She also thirty- eight ers, who were intended for the Dry Tortugas. The soldiers worked all night, endeavoring to get the ship off, but they did not succeed. ‘At half-past one P. M. on the following day the Alba- trosa went to her assistance; but as there was a strong easterly wind blowing and & heavy sea running, causing her to thump heavily, all that could be done was to got the troops and the prisoners, together with the mails, on board the Albatross. A wrecking schooner, too, arrived, anc did al that could be done to assist Che Bmpire City. The troops, prisoners apd mails have arrived safely at this place, The soldi will be landed bere and con- veyed on some government vessal to New Orleans, The convicts will be sent to the Tortugas. ‘The quartermastor’s steamer Reany is about to go to the aseistance of the Empire City, and to bring off the captain and crew, in the event of ‘there being no pose bility af saving the vessel. Several wreokers, also, have gone to the reef to assist the wrecked vesse! and—them- Selves. A soldier on board the Empire City died yester day morning. The place where the steamer struck is an wrecking ground, distant ninety miles from Key West. Five years ago the steamer Menemon Sandford ‘was wrecked on the identical epot now occupied by the Empire City. ‘Phe National Jubilee of Victory. The Committee of Arrangements of the National Celo- bration of Union Vietories, Wm. P. Blodgett, Esq., Chair- man, were in session the entire day yesterday at the Astor House, attending to the preliminaries for the great celebration on Saturday next. The committee is composed of the following ottizons Wm. P. Blodgett, Chairman; Thomas C. Acton, Elliott C. Cowdin, M. Cooper, Josiah Hadden, Mr. Charles © fsb eg Supervisor Wm. M. Tweed and Mr. Douglaas jor. ¢ committee to-day waited pon Mayor Gunther and upon the Presidents of the Boards of Aldermen and Councilmen, and the result of their interview will be re. to the general committee to-day. The committee also waited upon Major General Sand ford, who received them with great cordiality, and who subsequently held a lengthy consultation with them at their rooms at the Astor. From the numerous indications given by our citizens yesterday the celebration will be one of the grandest ever made in this metropolis. ‘The principal feature of the day will be the imposing , which will comprise nearly all the military, fremen and civic societies of this city and Brooklyn To this end the Chief Engineer and Assistant Engineers of the Fire Department have been invited to meet the committee to-day at noon; and all the trade organiza tions, Masonic, benefit and civic societies of this city and Brooklyn are cordially invited tw notify the committee, through Colonel F. E. Howe at once, at the Astor House, in order that the necessary arrangements can be completed and positions be assigned themgn the pro coneion. ‘The different trades will be represented by emblems aries- of their industry. Many attractive and novel features will be presented in the procession, among which will be a complete model of the original Monitor which fought the Morrimac, and a repreeentation of Fort Sumter as tt now appears, after four years battering from Unioa gune, with the old flag again floating over it. The chimes of Trinity will peal out patriotic pwans at sunrise, noon aud suns A full battery of cnn on capturmd from the rebels will form one of the features of the procession, and will be manned by veteraas, who will fire salutes at various pointe, Among (hove invited to participate in the celebration are overnor Fenton, Lieutenant Governor Alvord, Speakor Hasking, membera of tho Loglalature, Major Gonoral Sandford, Mayor Gunther and members of the city government, all oaitora of the newspaper press, Major General Willcox, Brigadier General Hinks, Colone Fowler, Admiral Paulding and officers of the Navy Yard the Judges of the various courts in this city, aud all officers of the army and navy in this cit; Merchants, bankery, factories, workshops, shipyards and all places where large numbers of our people tay be employed, will undoubtedly respond to the request of the committee, and close their places of business before three o'clock on Baturday, to enable (heir employes to join in the procession All public institutions, private buildings and ships in port are requested to display their fiegs from sunriee to sunset, ‘Thia grand ovation by the metropolis of the Union to the gallant poldiors and sailors of our aemy and navy will certainly surpnas any similar occasion of alike natire in this country. ‘The responses reecived from the mechanics and artivans of the city show that all clarses are fully alive to tts importa: and give gratifying evidence of the #t-hea of our community to honor the brav efend ors of ouf country and meeting at Union square will probably be at over by Major Goueral Dix, and bh the > tate, as well ae raany bat will address their fe atulation upon ju and forever Wile agiow. and the route of the procession, MUNIN’ OF Ube mi@euitg, WO, wht Ve furpisbed the public a» x00 es concluded RALD. PRICE FOUR CENTS. SHERMAN. HIS ARMY AN AVALANCHE LET LOOSE. It is Rushing Through the Carolinas, Capture of One Hundred Thousand Bales of Cotton at Columbia. Cheatham’s Corps, of Hood’s Old Army, Said to be in South Carolina. The Safety of Richmond De- pendant on Sherman’s Annihilation. His Defeat Required to Break Up the Plan of the Campaign for the Year, &e., &e., &e, Capture of Cetton at Columbia. By reference to the news which we publish from the Richmond papers, it will be seen that the Euguirer, of February 25, gives currency to a rumor that Gencral Sherman is rushing like an avalanche through South Carolina, and has captured one hundred thousand bales of cotton at Columbia. Genoral Cheatham Reported in South Carolina. [From the Charlotte (N. C.) Democrat, Feb, 21.] Although we are within one hundred and ten miles of the most stirring scenes in South Carolina, we know but little of what has occurred or is ocourring. Tho rumors from the scene of operations are various and conflicting. All we certainly know here is, that the city of Columbia is now in possession of the enemy, and that the enemy occupied the place on Friday last, after a fight or heavy skirmish with our troops; and that our troops are now concentrating at a point a few miles this side of Columbia, What sort of a battle took place, and the loss on either side is unknown tothe public hero. There are hundreds of reports concerning it, but few if any of them are worth the least credence. Preparations are being made to guard against loss of public property if the enemy should advance on this point. It is reported that General D. H. Hill, cr General Cheatham, attacked tho enemy in the rear on Thursday or Friday last, and captured eight hundred prisoners and a number of wagons. If s0, the enemy will not be much dispored to advance in this direction with a fire both in his rear and front. ‘We learn that the enemy, after getting into Columbia, burned all the depota. The cotton stored In the city was either burned by the enemy or our own people, The government property, or at least a great deal of it, was removed before our troops.evacuated. the place. ‘The re- port about a large number of the women and children being killed is false, P. S.—A gentieman who arrived here tbis (Monday) morning from below, informs us that a cavairy fight took place between Ridgeway and Cclumbia on Saturday or Sunday last, and that the enemy were driven beck. This gentleman also states that only the South Carolina Rail- road depot was burnt at Columbia, and that caught fire from a shell, exploding some ammunition stored therein, and killing two or three persons and wounding five or six others, Another gentleman states that General Cheatham. whipped the enemy at Alston, S. C., and damaged him considerably, We are disposed to believe these report, (General Cheatham commands a corps of Hood's old army. The mention of his name in the above connec- tion is the only sign which we have observed in the rebel papers tending to confirm the report that the army to which he belougs had been transferred tq Sherman’s frout, The indefinite character of the announcement and the uncertainty with which the name is used, lead to the supposition that it is used unadvisedly, and is not to De depended upon as showing that a concentration of forces against Sherman has already been accompiished.— Ep. Hruatp.] The Defeat of Sherman to Secure the Safety of Richmond. [From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb, 25.} Every change of the seat of war begets an uneasiness and alarm, not only in the new sections invaded, whese people, unused to war, magnify its evils and dangers, Dut in the country at large, Noboly seems to consider the relief extended to one section by the removal of the enemy's troops to another, although the section relieved be ten times as extonsive as the country newly invaded, ‘The occupation or temporary invasion of new territory 1s counted for new and additional conquests, Exemption or relief from evil is a negative good, and is nover esti- mated as H should be by mankind. Health is our natoral and normal state, and while we are loud in our com- plaints of sickness we are never duly grateful for our restoration to health. To make another rash and desperate “on to Rich- mond” our enemy has loosened his hold on the whole Miseiseippi valley where he retains posts, but occuptes scarce any territory. He has also given up one-third of Georgia and « large part of Virginia His expanded operations, his mighty anaconda, have dwindled down to an attempt on Richmond, A year ago the enemy's demonstrations against Rich- mond were far more formidable and determined than now, and at the «ame time be was dealing heavy blows at the whole West and Southwest, Sherman's movement 1s the key to the present attempt on Richmond. Defeat Sherman and the echeme is at an end. Defeat Sherman and the war at once wears a new and kindiier front. Ho plays boldly fora high etake. If he fail bis own ruin will be correspondingly complete and frrecoverable. Tis failure will be grand, prodigious; equal to that of a first class New York broker, or that of Phaeton when he attempted to drive the chariot of the sun; and it will entitle him, in the estimation of the Yankee na tion (who vastly adrnire whatever is prodigious, whether ton's: = it be good or bad), to an epitaph like Pb Hic situs ext Phaston; Carrun auriga ps Quem #1 non tenuit, magnis amen e Half condoling with grea adversity, wo leave him and bis mighty army flounder. ing through the bottomless roads, swampe, bogs, forests an: marshes of the South, Just as Milton deseribes Satan {on equal mischief bent) wending hie toilsome eeurse through chaos :— That fnry stay Quenched in a Doggy Sy" either wen Nor good dry land, Nigh foundered, on ho fares, Treading the crude ec neg hall on foot, Hatt tying: behowe h With bend, han And awimk, oF The Rebels Expect Soon to Startle the Country and Astonish the World, Loviewnan, Ky., Feb. 27, 1865, ‘The Journal speaking of Lee's army editorially says;— “We have reason to say that tho rebels are expecting very won to startle the whole country and astonish the world. No matter what our reasou may be, it is @ good one nt Declines One Hundred Days Men, + Ateany, Feb. 27, 1865, On the recelpt of the news of the capture of Wilming- ton Governor Fenton sent a despatch to the Secretary of War offering ten regiments of the State National Guard hundred days service in garriwoning the forte at a, Charleston, Wiimington and other porta The offer wae referred to General Grant, who declined te scorpt the regiments, The Secretary of War sent @ despateb to Governor Fenton thie moruing concurring ig the decision of Genera) Grams Gr General fore Sayan