The national Republican., 1861-11-29
Alsxandraa.

FrRs.-Four Dwellings, Destroyed-A confla.
grafton, OF an extent very unusual 10 this city
took place on Wilkes street, near Water, abovd
the tunnel, last night, destroying four twostory
frame tenements, and injuring several othets.
The hre broke out In the basement of n terel
ment adjoining the corner Of Water street, and
occupied by Joshua Hall. A barrel Of ashes
containing some hot GOALS, had boen left In thd
cellar. which, about eleven o'cljck blaIed M
| and ,gnited tile woodwork near at hand, from
whence II spread to the other portions Of thd
building, and began to show its glare upon the
streets. slight alarm WAS given, and the two
engines of The Relief Company were carried ID
the spot. Considerable efforts were made I
stay the flames, in which the soldiers worked
with great aiacrity and enorgy. The Efforts,
however, were fruitless for sometime. The
nre spread towards Fairfax street, burning, IL,
turn, an unocoupied house, a frame house &C,
cupied by Henry Baker, and then anothet
| frame house In tho occupancy of Mrs. Ellis.
Here the flames we're stayed, but not until
they had considerably injured brick house
occupied by Mr.. Petit. On the Water street
side, the progress of he Htmes was stopped by
the vigorous use of buckets. The fire, how.
over, seriously injured the back buildings OF
the residences Of Capt John Ratclif and Mrs.
John T. Hill.
Mr.. Halls family lose all their furniture, and
their eatire stock Of clothing, saving scarcely
anything. Mr.. Baker, Mrs. Ellis, and Mr.. Petit,
also lose small amounts vt furniture, but had
time to save the greater portion, which was
properly cared for by a guard for that pur.
pose. q.
Mrs. John T. H,ll, residing on Water street,
near by, had occasion to move a portion of her
furniture, and during the excitement, 4 pack.
age, containing about one hundred dollars, was
abstra0ted from drawer. ..-,.r. ...
During the progress Of the flames, 4 tall chin.
ney In the midst Cf The fre threatened to fall,
The fre-hOoks we're 5000 procured, and BY
some Of the best hre.e ginee ring we have evsr
seen-on the part Of some soldiers--the tai
pile was undermined, and fell plumb to Its base,
not q brick falling hve yards beyond Il.
The hre was subdued about two O'Clock, and
lished, and the citizens retired. .a,r ..l /
Two Of the dwellings destroyed were owned
by Mr.. John 7. Hill, Of this city--the others
belonged to Mr.. A. D. Collingswortb, OF Wash.
ington. The total To- by the fire Is estimated d
at I'VE thousand dollars. y
1.-The alarm caused great CONSERVATION among
the citizens Of the place, who thought that the
rebels we're advancing upon the town, and tina,
the fre WAS caused by the bursting Of a shell
thrown by the rebels into the headquarters nt
Company E, Eighty eighth Pennsylvania regi
ment. A regiment of cavalry stationed some
distance out Of town came In to suppress, II
necessary, any demonstrations which might be
made by the resident secessiOnists. The cav
airy remained IN tho town during Wednesday 3
night and all of yesterday.l
UNION ASSOCIATION MEETING. The. regular
weekly meeting of the Union Association was
held on Wednesday evening, at Lyoe um Hall
The band Of the Pennsylvania Eighty eighth
regiment was present and discOursed some Of
Its finest music. Speeches were made by n
number of gentlemen, and good time had gen
orally.