Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-12-17
Great Fire In Charleston.

From Norfolk we have intelligence Of q most
disastrous FIRE at Charleston, s. G. A despatch
to the Norfolk Day Book oil Friday, from Charles.
ton, states that fire broke out in that city on
Wednesday night, which was supposed 10 have
been the work Of an incendiary. The fire ragged
for two days.
The captain of the United States transport
illinois, arrived at Fortress Monroe from Port
Royal, states that he passed within six miles of
Charleston harbor at ten o'clock on Thursday
night and that a tremendous conHagraton was
evidently then at its height in that city. The
reflection on the clouds exceeded anything he
ever saw, and the whole bay, with the dark out
lines of Fort Sumter, was brightly illuminated
1t did not appear like the reflection from smoul-
dering ruins, but from raging, uncomfortable
conhagratiOn. This is FIVE hours later than the
date of the Norfolk Day Book despatch.
The portion of Charleston destroyed comprises
the most compact and oil the business parts Of
the city, except some Wholesale houses north
ward. Nearly all the public buildings were con-
sumed and should the fire extend in the direo-
ton in which ii was moving at last accounts, it
would sweep the entire of the fashionable resi-
dences down to Ashley river. 1t appears that
the docks and warehouses along the Cooper river
had not been touched, owing TO the wind blowing
from that direction But the fire had crossed
the eastern side Of Broad street, and should il
proceed in thai direction the destruction would
be immense, as very many Of the buildings in
that quarter are frame. The city generally
contains SO many frame buildings as 20 partly ac-
count for the extensive nature of the oonHagra-
tion. The high wind did the rest. Among the
buildings included in the burnt district are two
iron foundries, one of them lately employed in
the manufacture of cannon, aud the other in
making cannon balls and shells. Several
churches aud nearly all the public buildings,
banks and insurance oiiceB became q prey to
the flames King street is the chief street of
the city, aud was the Broadway of Charleston
though not much improved in its buildings -
Broad street was very important street,
containing newspaper Offices, banks, insur-
ance Offices, stores, &c. There is no evidence
of the fire having extended south of the post
office, in Broad street. East Bay street con-
tanned all the offices of the cotton factors and
leading commission merchants. Ii is the near
est street to Cooper river, running parallel with
it. The short streets which run down from it
to the docks also contain important offices and
warehouses. Meeting street contains the Mills
House. Charleston Hotel, Institute Hall, the
market, and the theatre.
Meeting street presents many other fine pub
lie and private edifices, interspersed among many
buildings Of early date. Meeting and King are
the longest streets in the city, running from the
South Battery, north and north westerly, through
the entire length of Charleston.
In incti these anu the adjoining streets COM
prsed the very heart of the city, which is now
burned out.
The N. Y. Herald, in commenting upon the
fire, says:
1t is worthy of remark that Institute Hall,
where the Democratic Convention was held,
which split the party, and split the nation the
theatre to which the Secessionists retired to hold
a separate convention; ST. Andrews Hail. where
the Mozart faction figured; the Charleston Hotel
and Mills House, where the warning factions
respectively held their headquarters lliberniau
Hall, where the secession ordinance was passed.;
the cannon and ammunition foundries, the treason
shops of the Mercury and Courier and the head
quarters of Governor Pickens have been all laid
in ashes. Does it not look like a retrbulion of
Providence, and an omen and type of the flu
| turo destruclion of the rebellion.