Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-09
THE GREAT TRAGEDY IN CHILL.


LETTER FROM TIE AMERICAN MINISTER
private letter from Hon T. Il. Nelson, Min
lister to Chill, is published in the Terrs Haute
! Democrat. He says:
As soon as the alarm was given hastened to
the spot, which is but two squares distant from
my residence. No eye hath seen or ear hath
heard, and no tongue or pen can describe the
heart rending and appalling spectacle which pre-
sented itself. 1t was horrible beyond desorip.
tion or conception. Within the scope of my
vision were more than thousand women and
children, maniiestng by shrieks, groans and
actions, every conceivable form Of human agony.
The most heart-percug cries pervaded the
buildings which were distinctly heard at the
distance of three squares. Some were wrthing
in the embrace of the flame, stretching out their
eager hands for thai help Thich il was impossi-
BILE to gige-slms standing with upfted arms
some prostraie and insensible--some kheeling
with clisped hands. evidently commencing them
selves to Him into whose presence they would
soon he prec ptated
1t was my good fortune to aid in extricating
numbir Of the victims from the fiery furnace, by
dragging them from the doOrways, and | am
happy 10 staie that all our oountrymen who were
present ablred iearlessly and energetcally until
hope Of further assistance was gone. These
efforts you will perceive by reading he inclosed
'ranslauons, have bsel ferliugly recognized by
the Government and people of Chilli
little after eight o'clock the last tower, con-
tanning chime Of bells, fell with tremendous
crash and it became no longer possible to give
the least aid TO the burning victims.
There are but three fir engines jn the city,
ami they are small, inefficient, aud were b idly
served. They arrived AT the scene soias half au
hour after the beginning of the FIRE, but were ST.
utterly worthless as to afford no assisianea Wy 'at.
ever. The Il ines subsidized rblui mi ..a -t..
mere want OF materials on whIon 10 ie i.
On the next morning | visited the interior Of
the church, and nothing can cyceed, in horror,
the spectacle there presented. The whole pave
ment Of the building was strewn with the swollen
and dis6gured cOrpses of the victims, while near
the doors were heaps of charred objects, ony
distinguishable by the shape as having been noe
human beings. They weie rapidly removed to
the cemetery, where one general grave was dug
| for their reception.
The entire city is shrouded in gloom. The
| best annd some of the most arist0cratic families
( in the city are the greatest sufferers Many of
the most elegant and accomplished ladies in the
city perished. Youth and beauty aud old age
were overwhelmed in one common ruin. la
several instances whole families were swept away
and their unoccupied hou,es are in the custody
Of the civil authorities.
l made repeate efforts to save young lady
friend, who recognized me the moment ap-
peared at the door, aud who, stretching out her
hands, called upon mt to save her. In vain
struggled to reach her over the crowded mass
1t was impossible to gasp her hand In few
moments her hair was in blaze, aud endured
the torture of witnessing the dying agonies Of
| this 10 sely creature; We weTe fortunate enough
to save her sister, But if this spectacle was hor
ribe to me, what must it have been 10 the heart
broken parents and husbands. brothers, sisters,
and children, who looking into the interior Of
nh a., MIN f.n