The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1865-03-01

force under Gen. Hatch, which resulted
j in the capture of six pieces of artillery.
i The Tribune's correspondent, who
arrived by the Fulton, gives the follow
ing account:
i CHARLESTON HARsoR, Feb. 18. EARLY
last evening, Brigadier Gen. Schemmil-
fennig, commanding the Northern Dis
trict Of the Department of the South,
discovered some indications which led
him to believe that the rebels were about
to eyacuate Charleston and its defenses,
and he accordingly ordered his pickets
and picket boats to keep bright look
out, and report Immediately any move
ment on the part of the enemy.
About half-past 3 o'clock this morn
ing terrific explosion took place in
Charleston, which shook every ship in
the harbor and off the bar, and almost
instantaneously with the explosion flames
broke out, which could be distinctly seen
in different parts of the city.
ltappears that the first explosion. took
place at the wilmington depot, the fire
from which rapidly communicated with
the adjacent buildings, causing general
conaagration of all the dweling-houses
in the vicinity, and it was while the un-
fortunate inhabitants were trying to
extinguish this Ere that the second
explosion took place, which resulted so
disastrously, causing terrible loss of life
among the women and children, who are
represented as having been horribly mu
tilatsd.
About o'clock this morning General
Schemmilfennig moved his forces, and
occupied the city and its defenses.
The formidable earthworks on James
Island were found abandoned, and the
guns spiked.
At 8 O'Clock this morning detach-
meDt was sent to take possession of Fort
Sumter and raised the flag which Gen
Anderson hauled down nearly four years
ago. AT 8 O'Clock the flag was raised
amid desfening cheers.
As fast as the forces could be thrown
into the city they were set to work to put
out the fire, which, up to the time of
leaving, was raging fiercely in different
parts Of the city.
Old men, women and children rushed
frantically to and fro in an agony of
despair at the loss of their homes, and
the killing and mutilsting of their friends.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount
of cotton destroyed by the rebels. SevA
eral Thousand bales we're collected in
different parts of the city and set on fire
almost simultaneously with all the prin-
cipsl depots and warehouses.
There is no doubt but the rebels in
tended to burn the city to the ground,
despite the misery it would entail on
thousands of women and children and
old men, of which class the inhabitants
of Charleston are chiefly composed.
Itwas the opinion of Gen. Gilmore's
staff that in all probability two-thirds of
the city would be destroyed before the
fire could be extinguished, with the
imperfect means of subduiug it at hand.
The last Or rear guard of the enemy
left Charleston at 4 o'clock this morning,
and there are various rumors and conjec-
lures as to their destination, but the
prevalent opinion is they intend concen-
trating in the vicinity of Florence, to
which point they have railroad commu-
nication from Charleston, unless it has
been recently destroyed by the expedi-
tion sent to Bulls Bay.
Several hundred rebels, who secreted
themselves in different parts os the city
when the main column was retreating,
have given themselves up, and tell the
usual story of being tired of the war,
half starvvd, DC.
They express desire to be allowed to
take the oath of allegiance to our Cow
ernmsnt and remain in the city.
EE Artemus Ward, Jr., travelling
show man, is about investing his sssur-