The New York herald., 1865-02-03
the CONFEDERATION At SAVANNAH,
Mr. Thomas J. Cummins' Despatch.

llr. Thomas J. Cummins' Despatch.
SAVANNAH Ga, jan 20, 1866
savannah has escaped being laid In ashes; stands
Shs has suffered terribly. The nre king has visited her
Dsopls and her dwelling houses, and to-day be wit
usssed Of desolaton wreck poverty and suffering
Had mot allwse Providence intcrposed TO stem the
suent Of destruction there would not now be stone
1e one upon another in the proud "Foest City"
! PREVIOUS TO THE FIRE
Those who happened 10 be In tho city Of Savannah
ss night Of the 9th Of January and the morning Of the
18th will mot forget the events which transpred
during that period. The horrors Of such a time can
scarcely be met with more than once In lifetime.
Notwithstanding the fact that the city lay in the grasp
sfa large army her streets patroled by the Provost
Guard her boundaries pcketed by armed soldery, her
isens subjects for wntchfulness and care yet unver
~ quiet has regned in her midst since the entrance Of
hermans army This peace did not promise to be soon
hroken. The people seemed 10 be perfectly satisfied
With the progress Of events Things looked as II they
were to back into their usual channels. Men
met in the streets, shook hands, talked, jested and
&ughed while genuine content beamed from every coun
tenance. There many 10 be found who predicted
happiness and advancement in the future and few who
supposed that terrible calamity might soon overtake
Ahe city and its inhabitants But these fecitous antci
pations were doomed soon to be dspclled
COMMENCEMENT THE FIRE.
Eleven o'clock struck from the Exchange Building,
end its echoes had scarcely died away when the fire bell
pealed out its notes OF alarm dense smoke from the
western part OF the city indicated the locality in which
the Gre commenced. The fire apparatus speedily
On their way but their onward were quickly
checked In consequence Of events which will appear
hereafter.
Tho are commenced on the north side Of Tubby street.
between Ann and st. Gall streets II broke out in the
stable Of Mrs Ann Morreli Whether this fire was the
work Of incendiary purely accidental has not yet
tssn demonstrated Some assert that rebel hands
which applied the TORCH and may be we'll here TO
mark that strong evidence has been adduced 70 carry out
Shs idea There also many other circumstances
brought forward prove that the re simply the
suit Of accident The general feeling In Savannah Is
That the rebels the parties answerable for this terri
Die disaster.
Mrs Morrels stable and the adjoining buildings
soon enveloped in Of flame, and became ap
parent that there was to hope OF staying the rapid
progress Of the dcvouring element
nxrrssoS FIRE.
Half an hour from the commencement found the
Aames leaping furiousy from building TO building
Tow words might be said 10 the Fire Department o
Savannah In this connection. Their organization and
want o. activity are matter OF much reproach.
The members are nearly all negroes and, IN
eases Of Ore, somewhat tardy In their move
nsnts Had your gallant New York boys becn or
band the hrs would have been checked before /,
such alarming proportions, thereby saving property c
Smmsnss value and preventing death and suffering The
nrsmen came within few hundred yards Of the are bu,
bearing that Of the buildings contained q large
Amouns Of ammunition and shell, they did not deem,
= prudent 70 remain long In the vicinity. Then II was
ehaa the flames, not meeting with any impcdment
arsered wildly their mission Of destruction and DEATH
1hen did the nery fakes flash frem point to point until
one block was enyeioped in single blaze and the Fire
King became truly monarch Of strength and defiance.
Bouss after house became enveloped the embraces Of
hs rssnties fosl dome and pinnacle Jared alike In the
easeh ef tbs ppptying coneueyor Bis reeking srmor