Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-02-05


I How THEY TAKE THE BosBARnMEsT.-AE
| though the inhabitants OF Charleston -baye
been obliged 70 abandon tbs lsr1,rs po-s.cn
Of the citx alp,cst sat.re.y, owing to the
irssifn' ..i.ng OF oug guns, still, as a general
rule, they appear to take the matter with a
god deal OF philosophy and sang froId.-
FamilIarity with danger has doubtlees de-
tracted considerably from lie terrors but yet
there ore times, opr. inior'rsct s,s.e7, a6ea
THE pcople ere 5hstsl W somewhat by the
Numbering discharges and explosions from
the Union batteries When the bombardment
first began the terror Of all classes, without ex-
ccpti0l, was terrific. 1t was about noon on a
dav in November. The city was In its Usu-
ally quiet condition, and the inhabitants
we're not In the least .apprehensive ~
what was about - happen. Sutie1,y the
shelliTg commenced, ami some OF the prQlcc-
tiles burst in the sky right over the city
One of them smashed through the rOot vi a
house in King street, tore up the hOOrs,
shattered the walls, and finished up It's des-
tructiye career by striking poor negro wo-
man sitting in one OF the rooms, killing her
instantly. The inhabitants, men, women
and children. rushed out Of their houses IN
the utmost dismay, and an indescribable
scene Of confusion and alarm ensued. The
famous Ball run - skedaddle' appears o.
hive cen uothing in ConI ar s)n to thehiglt Il
t echiyalryfrOmCh ariest N 10 the interior and
neignboring towns and villages. The houses
were cmpticd Of their yaluables, animate and
inlnimatc. and conveyed away as expedi-
tiOusly as hOrsehesh could accomplish. Since
thar first grand scare the CharlestOnians have
learned wisdom and the art Of dodging-a
species Of gymnastics in winch they nave be
come quite proficient by long practice.
Gen. Gilmore opened .cfrihc lombard
ment On Charleston On the 9th of last De
cember, no doubt with 4 view TO affording
the Charlestonians an opportunity for en-
lJYIng merry Christmas. According 70 our
informant 1t was the most dreadful shelling
that the city has yet endured. 1t commenced
about midnight. and lasted until noon ON
Christmas day. The shells shOwered down
upon the city in every direction, and burst
with such intense noise and force that the
houses were shaken to their very foundations.
The windows were shattered into atoms, and
the doors and shutters unhinged. Greek
fire at the same time was hurled into the
streets. and striking several houses almost
instantly set them in 4 blaze. The large one
eluFN DulllluE III NuuIti 1t-s LcdA Diodu So
occupied as a cotton press, was set on IRE and
completely burned, together with a large
store of cotton contained within it. \ num-
Der Of firemen were injured during this con-
hagration by the falling Of one Of the walls
OF the building.
The people of Charleston were thrown into
perfect panic by the terrific bOmhardment,
and there was a second stampede for the in
terror OF the State To get out Of the reach OF
the shells The women, VINO generally
throughout the siege displayed an uncommon
amount OF pluck, ran through the streets
shricking m terrified tones and seeking pro-
lection in cellars and other similar places. 1t
Was "a great relief u them when Christmas
noon arrived, and with it brought cessation
of the much rcadeI firing.
Since the commencement of the lombard
ment hremen have patrolled the streets day
and night. in readiness TO put out fires Occa-
stoned by | MON Smelling.