The Portland daily press., 1865-02-22
200 Guns Captured.
THE CITY SET ON FIRE BY
THE REBELS.
Fearful Explosion = Several Hundred
M Citizens Killed.
Nrm Ynnn Eoh 81

New YORK, Feb 81
Arrived steamer Fulton from Port Royal,
via Charleston Bar, 18th.
She reports that Charlest ton was evacuated
ON the night Of the 18th, and all the fortifica-
tions left in al uniDjured condition. We cap
tlred 200 heavy guns, and an immense amount
of material. Our iorcss were moving up to
the city when the Fulton left.
Part of the troops stationed at James Is
land crossed over in boats and t3ok posses
sion of the city without opposition.
The enemy previous to evacuation, fired the
city, by which 5000 bales OF cotton was burn
ed. Probably two.thirds of the city will be
destroyed before the fire is subdued.
A fearful explosion occurred at Wilmington
Depot. Cause unknown, By which several
hundred citizens were killed.
Admiral Dahlgren was the first to run up to
the city, where he arrived at about O'Clock
P. M.
Gen. @. A. Gilmore followed soon after in
the steamer w. W. Colt, and hal an interview
with Gen. STRENGTHENING, he being the first
General officer in the city, and for the present
in command.
1t is supposed that Beauregard evacuated
Charleston in order 10 concentrate his forces
and give Sherman battle.
The remains OF two iron-clads were found,
which The enemy destroyed by blowing them
up previously to the evacuation.
The blockade runner Cyrene, just arrived
| from Nassau, fell into our hands, and two
others were expect ID to run in on the night
| of the 18th.
The first flag over Sumter was raised by
| Capt. Henry M. Bragg, aide-de-camp on Gan.
Gilmore's staff, having Tor staff an car and a
boat hook, dashed together.
! The houses in the lower part of the city
/ were completely ridded by our shot and shell.
| Tho Waa If an mart of 10 p0nulafi0n haVp de
serted the city, and now all that remain are Of
the poorer classes, who are suffering for want
of food.
1 It was reported at Hilton Head that the left
| wing OF Sherman's army had reached Midway,
on the Charleston and August Railroad, and
that the rebels in consequence had evacuated
| Branchville and fallen back on Qrangeburg.
A movement had been made by the force
under Gen. Hatch, which resulted in the cap
ture of six pieces of artillery, which the rebels
had abandoned. The carriages were destroy
ed.
Orr CHARLESTON, Feb. Is, P. NJ.
THE OLD FLAG WAVES OVER SUMTER
MoULTRIE AND THE CITY OF CHARLES
TON.
can see It's crimson stripes aud fadeess
stars waving in the warm sunlight of this glo
rious day.
"Thanks be to God who giveth us the vic
tory
The movement of Gen. Sherman into the in
terror, threatening Branchville and Augusts
with his main column, while General Hatch
moved along the coast, distracted the rebels
and they committed the fatal error Of attempt.
ing to hold a line more than hundred miles
terror. inst his armV with a faraa ereatly 10
He moved not upon Branchville, but upor
the railroad between Branchville and Augusta
By the Charleston Courier of the 18th learn
that he tore up the railroad on the 9th and
crossed the South Edsto on the 10Th, moving
north towards Columbia. This movement sew.
cred ID. II. Hill, who was at Augusta, from
Hardee at Branchville. 1t also opened the
back door of Charleston.
Gen. Hatch drove the rebels from the Ache
pc to the Edisto on the 18th, and yesterday he
was to attempt the crossing of the Edisto at
Jacksonboro'.
Gen. Potter, with force of several thou
sand, has beep at Bulls Bay since the 14th
while the troops on Morris Island have been
in position to aid Hatch. Their combined
movements compelled 4 sudden evacuation OF
the city by the rebel troops.
The intelligence was brought to Hilton Head
last night and Gen. Gilmore left at A. M. in
steamer Colt did not learn of his departure
till morning, but seized the opportunity OF fol-
lowing in the Fulton, which will take this dis
patch North, the vessel having been ordered
10 stop for dispatches.
Gen. Gilmore and Admiral Dahleren have
just gone up the harbQr,
| An officer from the gunboat Wamsutta in.
forms me that the city was evacuated in the
night. They examined the forts this morning
and saw that the rebels had departed.
Boats were sent out, and THE STARS AND
STRIPES HoIsTED ONCE MORE OVER SUM.
TER. MouLTRIE, and the Notifications Of Sui.
livan's Island.
About 10 o'clock this forenoon there was n
heavy explosion inside the harbor. IN the VI
cinity of Fort Ripley, which Jared the vessels
IN the harbor.
Great flres ara burning in diieaent places
| cannot tell whether in the city or nos-prob-
ably it is government property outside Of the
city.
The news given by the enpboat was receiv-
ed with deafening cheers by those on board
the Fulton, which fred q salute in RESPONSE
| The Fulton has come TO an anchor to await
the return of the General and Admiral.
The blockading vessels which have watched
Tor months are riding at their anchors, Their
work is done, their occupation gone. To
morrow will be a Sabbath of rest and 10Y to
officers and sailors alike. hope to spend if
In the city where treason was conceived and
nursed till it became the most gigantic rebel
non Inc world ever saw. CARLETON.
/