The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-02-22
BURNING OF MOSCOW.

We wonder II history ever tslIs the exac
truth, The following article on the burning
OF Moscow, would make us think not. We
clip from the Muscaiine (Iowa) Inquirer:
Coming up to the boat few days ago, we
happened TO fall in company with Senator
Douglas, who came on board at Quincy. on
his way 10 Warsaw. In.lhccourss Of q. rery
interesting account Of his travels 10 Russia !,
much OF which has been published by letter
writer's, he stated fact which has never W,
beon published. but which statincly contra :
diets the received historical relation of ons
OF tie most extraordinary events that ever
Tell 10 the lot OF history TO record. For this
reason, the Judge said he felt deIicacy in
making the assertion, that the city of lloseou
neuer ,cas btpnedi
He said, that previous 10 his arrival at
Moscow, he had several disputes with his
guide as to tho bGfring Of line city, lhe guide
declaring il never occurred, aud seeming to
be neliled at Mr.. Douglass persistency in
his opinion, but ou examining the fire marks
around the city, and the city ITSELF he be-
came satisfied that the guide WAS correct.
The statement goes on to set forth The an
tiquiiy Of the architectural city --psrlicular-
ly of its six hundred firs,-cIass Churches
stretching through .Napoleonic ages 10
pagan times. and showing the handiwork OF
different nations of history--demonsrsl
that the city was never burnt down Cor up).
The Inquirer adds:
The Kremlin is space OF several hundred
acres, in The shape of flat iron, and IS en-
closed by wall sixty feet high. Within
this enclosure is The most magnificent pail
ace in Europe, recently bull, but conarucled
over an ancient palace, which remains, thus
enclosed, whole and perfect, with all lis
windows, Sc.
Near the Kremlin. surrounded by a waf,,
is Chinese town, appearing 10 be several
hundred years old, still occupied by descend
ants OF the original settlers.
The circumstances which gave rise 70 the
error concerning the burning of Moscow,
were these 1t is a city of 45O, 900 inhabi.
tanis. in eircnlar foIm, oooopying . large
space, nv Q miles ACROSS. There the winters
arc six months long and the custom was,
and still is, 10 lay up supplies of provisions
aid wood 10 last six months OF severe and
cold weather. To prevent these gigantic suo.
plies from cumberng the heart of The CITY and
yet render lEem as convenient as praclica.
BILE 10 every locality, Tow of wood houses
was constructed to circle completely round
the city, aud outside OF these was a row of
sranaries, and in these were deposited the
whole of the supplies. Napoleon had en-.
tered The city with his army, and was him
self occupying the palace Of Kremhn, when
one night by order Of The Russian Governor,
every wood-house and every grauary stimuli
saneously burst into blaze. All efforts TO
exlinguish Them were vain, and Napoleon
found himself compelled 10 march his army
through the fire. Retiring 10 an eminence
he saw The whole city ieuvsloped IN vast
sheets Of flames, and clouds Of smoke, aud
apparently all on fics. And so fat as be kas
concerned it might as well have been, for
though houses enough we're lef, 10 supply
every soldier with room, yet without pro.
visions or fuel ard Russian army to cut
of all supplies, he and his army could Lo
subsis, there. During ihis Ere some houses
were probably burnt, but the city was not.
In the Kremlin magazine blew up, crack
ing the church of Ivan more than hundred
feet up, but set nothing on fire.
Mr.. Douglas saw the fire marks around
The city, where wood-houses and granar,es
for winter supplies now stand as Of old, bu,
there appears no marks Of CONGREGATION
within the city. On the CONTRARY, i, bears
tho nnmisakaole evidences of age.