Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-02-24
HUNDREDS OF CITIZENS KILLED
BY AN EXPLOSION.
Two REBEL lRoN-c -cLADs DESTROYED.
rME sTARs ANp srRIpEs oN FoRr arMrRn
oFFIcIAL DISPATCH

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-To Major
General Dix, New York This Depart.
ment has received the official report of
Major General Gilmore, announcing the
surrender of the city of Charleston, South
Carolina, to the United States forces
under his command. at nine O'Clock on
Saturday morning, the 18th inst.
Among the captured property are two
hundred pieces of good artillery and
supply Of fine ammunition. The enemy
burned their cotton warehouses, arsenals,
quartermaster stores, railroad bridges,
two iron-clads and some vessels in the
ship-yard EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War
ofieiaI Report OF General Gilmore.
CHARLEsToN, S, O., Feb. Is, via New
YoRK Feb 2l Major General Halleck.
Chief of Staff: General-The city of
Charleston and all its defences came into
our possession this morning, with about
30 pieces of good artillery and a supply
OF fine ammunition.
The enemy commenced evacuatinp all
the works last night, and Mayor Macbeth
surrendered the city to the troops of
General Schimmelpfennig, at 0 o'clock
this morning, at which time it was occu.
pied by our forces.
Our advance on the Edisto and from
Bulls Bay hastoned the retreat.
The cotton warehouses, arsenals omar.
termasters stores, railroad bridges, and
two iron-clads, were burned by the
enemy. Some vessels in the ship.yard
were also burned.
Nearly all the inhabitants remaining
behind belong to the poorer classes.
Very respectfully,
Q. A. GILMORE.
Major General Commanding.
-ns Occupation of Charleston.
NEW YORK Feb. 2l.-The steamship
Fulton, from Port Royal and Charleston
Bar On the 18th inst, at 6 p. NJ, arrived
this morning Purser McManus furnishes
us with the following memoranda
Charleston was evacuated by the enemv
on the night of the 18th, leaving the
several Qualifications uniniured, besides
200 guns, which had been spiked. The
evacuation was first discovered at Fart
Moultrie, on the morning of the 18th. at
10 A. M. Part of the troops stationed
at james Island crossed over in boats
and took possession of the city without
opposition, the upper part Of the city
being on FIRE.
Previous to the enemy evacuatinR thew
Tired the upper part of the city, by which
5000 bales of cotton were burned, and Il
is supposed that before they could subdue
it, two'thirds of the city would be de-.
stroyed.
A fearful explosion occurred in the
Wilmington Railroad depot, the cause of
which was unknown. Several hundred
citizens lost their lives. The building
was used by the Commissary Department.
aud was situated in the upper part of the
city.
Admiral Dablgren was the 6rst to run
up to the city, where he arrived about 3
+. NJ. General @. y. Gilmore soon
after followed in the steamer w. w. Colt.
and had an interview with General
Schimmelpfennig be being the first Gen.
eral officer in the city, and for the present
in command.
1t is supposed that Beauregard evac.
uated Charleston In order to concentrate
aud give Sherman battle.
The remains of two iron.clads were
found, which the enemy DESTROYED Inv
blowing up previous to the evacuation.
Raising the Stars aud stripss ON For,
Sumter.
The blockade-runner Cyrene, iutt mr..
rived from Nassau, fell into our bnnds
and two Others were expected to ran in
on the night of February 18th.
The FIRST flag over Sumter was raised
BY Capt. Henry NJ. Bragg, A. D. @. op
General Gillmore's staff, having for 4
stat an oar aud boat-hook lashed together
The houses IN the lower part Of the
city were completely riddled by our shot
and shell, The wealthy part Of the pop.
ulation have deserted the city, and nav
all that remain are the poorer classes
who are suffering for want of food.
1t was reported at Hilton Head tha,
the LETT wing of Sherman's army had
reached Midway, on the Charleston and
Augusta railroad, and that the rebels II
consequence had evacuated Branchyill,
and had fallen back on Orangeburg.
y movement had been made 6y IN,
force under Gen. Hatch, which resulted
IN the capture Of six guns which the rcbs
had abandoned. The carriages were de
stroyed.