The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-08
THE BoMBARDMENT OF CHARLES
TON

IL was summoned to the bedside of an old gen.
tieman and his sister, both in the neighborhood of
seventy years of age, who were at their 6reside
when she'll entered the apartment and struck
them They soon died in great agony, especially
the lady, and buried them. Fit subjects for the
malignant n, fury OF people who profess purcr
Christianity than ours!
These messengers of death have been passing
thick and fast among the inhabitants of the city,
tearing up the streets; cutting gas pipes and plung-
ing US into darkness; laundering against churches
and dwellings, and creating great tumult; but,
how few OF the citizens have been harmed in their
persons Yet, what hair breadth escapes have
been made!
L saw, but few days since, tho interior of
gentleman's residence which she'll had entered
cutting the tester and passing through the payil-
hon OF his bed it penetrated the opposite wall and
lodged In the adjoining room Both himself and
his wife were In the house at the time, and he re-
mains there stiH. In another instance similar
missile entered a chamber, and passing between
the slabs and bed-clothes of crib in which an in
lent was lying, left the little creature unhurt, bu:
lost IN the convolutions of its bedding!
Some months ago whilst our intrepid fremep
were making every exertion to subdue the fast
spreading flames in one of the lower wards, the
Yankees opened as usual upon the locality; she'll
In Its parabolc descent entered engine which
number OF hremen were working and which was
surrounded by large coDcourse of others The
mute friend ofour homes was blown to atoms, the
men were dashed to the ground, and with the ex-
cepton ofa negro who had just taken the place of
white man and who lost an arm, resulting after
ward IN his death, and very slight wound nfct-
ed on one or two others, none were injured. Meet
ing our worthy Mayor some time subsequently, and
III conversation with him in reference to this cir
cumstance and the general deyerance of our citi
zens from ghastly wounds and horrid deaths, he
threw up his hand and exclaimed, at is the work
OF God! The history of Charleston for months
past has most wonderfully illustrated Divine Prov
ldence. There never anything like it!'-and
this, at that time, was very general sentiment.
1t is hoped that it may yet be said to be the case
The Yankees it is believed burst those immense
guns. My own impression is that they were ex-
permenting, first with time fuse shells, which for
week or two, preceded the heavy shelng alluded
to, for the purpose Of ascertaining the accuracy
With which they could calculate upon exploding
them in our midst, but, alas. these, like beautiful
rockets, invariably burst high in the air. making
startling and portentous noise, scattering their
harmless fragments and ilumnng the heavens
with brilliant coruscaton. Then, they under
took to cover the whole city with their guns Guns
were doubt manufactured for the express pur-
pose and mounted in the most scientific manner,
but there is reason to believe that after having
been strained to their utmost capacity, they eth
er burst one after the other, or became otherwise
disabled and useless; and, by the grace Of God, we
are here yet with enough TO eat, enjoying undis-
turbed repose and permitted to wait upon Him in
His sanctuary where very large crowds of our citi-
zens OF all denominations meet to worship. This,
however, may be but brief respite. Madame Ru-
NOR says thunder-storms are gathering
Passing through the lower wards of the city you
would be particularly struck with two things: first,
the sad desolation The elegant mansions and
familiar thoroughfares once rejoicing 10 wealth and
refinement and the theatre of busy life-the we'll
known and fondly y-cberished churches-some of
them ancient landmarks-where large assemblies
won't to bow at holy altars, and spacious halls
that once blazed with light and rung with festal
songs all deserted, sombre and cheeress; and
this is enhanced by the forbiddng aspect of that
vast district of the city which was laid in ashes
three years ago, and which remains in unmolested
ruins as the monument of Charlestous long and
dresry pause in the grand march of improvement
Here, you perceive her humiliation. Bnt move
on and from her lonely wharves and once beauti-
ful White Point Garden, you will see her head
lifted in proud defiance, she every day challen-
ges her vaunting foes to attempt the dissertation
of her sacred soil with their poluting tread! This
is her glory.
Strange to relate, families have all along con-
tinued to reside sporadically amid the desolaion,
in the most exposed regions, even as far down as
Queen, near Church street, some of whom have
had the ground plowed up around them and their
dwellings struck several times. They must have
supreme contempt for Yankee .barbarity or impIic-
it faith in particular providence or else have yiel
ded to stern necessity. AT all events they have
fare6 about as well those who consider them
solves "out of danger" The streets in this part
of the city overgrown with grass and in some
places with long fennel, waist high. a few days
since friend on a visit from the Army having
been told that rabbit was seen somew here in the
vicinity yf Broad street, went down to take hunt,
but fearing snakes, he returned before he could
sort his game
You would, in the second place, be disappointed
in not beholding the ruins which might be sup
posed to have resulted from bombardment that
has cost the enemy about ffty-fve guns, the
mains of which have been seen near their batteries
on Morris bland. 1t must be admitted that the
city has suffered. Brick and mortar and broken
glass along the attest the severity of the
deal TO which it has been and still exposed, but,
when peace comes, it will no: by any means have
to rise out of its ashes.
Whilst the shelling has been of the character
above stated, another enemy more formidable and
more to be dreaded has been invading our dom-
ellis. Army officers, surgeons and unaccimated
persons of high character and eminent usefulness
have fallen victims to this bane o. our seaport
h,,t raveoos have haen chienv arroro