The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-20
Great Fire at Charleston.

\ dispatch to the Norfolk Day Book OF
Fridav, from Charleston. states that a fire
broke ont there "Wednesday night, supposed
to nave been caused 10y an incendiary. II
live o'clock Thursday afternoon the fire was
still raging. The Round church, the theater
On Broad street, the institute and other pub
lie buildings were DESTROYED. Assistance was
sent for to Augusta.
Outside reports state that the fire in Charles
ton originated in mill on Broad street. and
that the Mills House and Catholic cathedral
are destroyed.
The New York 'rribune's special says the
lire was set by the negroes, and rumors are
rife of 4 negro insurrection in the city, bat
lothing definite can be ascertalned.
The Tribunes special report adds in rela-
ion to the Charleston fire: Nearly all that
part of the city from Broad street on the
southeast. bay OF the east and King s'eet Oh
the west. is said to be destroyed. including
he Catholic cathedral. the Circular church
institute. st Andrews hail, the theater, and
he executive rooms. An extra train had
eft augusta with supplies for the sufferers
thousands of whom roamed the sheets, ant
assistance to fight the fire.
| \ dispatch from Baltimore SAYS the fire a
, Charleston broke out in sash factory, ant
hat engines were sent from Savannah, Co
iumbia and Augusta to subdue it,but arrivc(
100 late to stay the contlagration.
IATER-A NEGRO INsJ FRICTION.
Later dispatches confirm the accounts o
he fire at Charleston, and say it was one 0
! the most destructive coniiagrations ever ex
perienced on this continent The whole O
me side of Broad street is destroyed, from
Iol Gadsden's residence to Magick street.
The fire commenced "Wednesday evening
md was still raging Thursday afternoon d
i've o'clock, and a thousand homeless person
were huddled in the streets. The telegraph
wires at Charleston were destroyed, and thu
dispatches were sent to the Norfolk Da
Book from Branchville on the South Carroll
IA railroad, sIxty-two miles northwest o
Charleston.
The Old Point boat to Baltimore, on Sun
day. brings report of the discovery and sup
preston by the military authorities of ne
gro instruction at Charleston. The plo
was disclosed by a )dy servant ofa militia
fy officer, no said the negroes of the cit
were to be joined by large bands Of negroe
from the country, who were to come in arm
ed at night. He said the sash factory wa
fired by free negro, whom he designate,
and VINO has been arrested. \ small quaint
ty of arms were found under the floor of
negro cabin. They were all new and
good order. In other negro cabins knive
and hatchets were found secreted. The grea
est CONSERVATION prevailed, and tamiie
: were closing and barring their windows
The fire companies being composed of me
who are engaged on military duty elsewher
The fire engines were worked by negroes, VII
broke and rendered useless two of the be-
ones. The offices of the Courier and Merct
~ are said tc be destroyed.
Another account states that a negro insu
rection broke out in the interior of Sout
Carolina two days before the fire at Charlie
{ ton, and was still raging unchecked, b.
this report is not we'll authenticated.