The weekly union record., 1865-03-04
The Capture of Charleston-Two-Thirds
of the City Burned-Rebels Slaughter
ing Women and Children.

NEw YoRK. Feb. 2lst.-The steamer Fulton
has arrived troa Charleston harbor. The
Tribune contains the following correspondence:
CHARLESTON HARBoR, Feb. 2lst-Eariy
las, evening, General Schmmelfennig CON-
manding the Northern District of the Depart
meut of the South discovered indications which
led him to believe that the rebels were about
10 evacua,e Charleston and its deienses, and
accordingly ordered the picket boats 10 keep
bright look-ou, and report Immediately any
movement on the part cf the enemy. About
half past three this morning terrific explosion
took place in Charleston. which shook every
ship 10 the harbor and of the bar. Almost
Simultaneous with the explosion, flames broke
out, and could be distinctly seen in different
parts of the city. 1t appears that the first
explosion took place at the Wilmington depot
the FIRE tsom which rapidly communicated with
the adjacent buildings, causing the general
coufagraion Of all the dwelling houses in the
vicinity. While the Inhabitants were trying
TO extinguish this IRE. second explosion took
place. which resulted very disastroGsly, causing
terrible loss OF life among the women and chill
dreu. Some of them are represented as having
been horribly mutilsted. About six O'Clock
this morning, Schimmelfenuig advanced his
formidable earthworks on James Island were
found abandoned, the guns having been spiked.
At eight O'Clock, detachment was sent to
take possession OF Fort Sumter and raise the
flag which Anderson hauled down nearly four
years ago! At nine o'clock, the flag was
raised amid deaiening cheers. As fast as our
forces could be thrown into the city, they were
set TO work TO put out the fire, which, up 10
the time Of the FultoDs leaving. was raging
fercey in different parts Of the city. Ola men.
women and children were rushing fran,ically TO
and fro, in agony and despair at the loss Of
their homes aud the killing and muila,ion of
their friends. 1t is impossible to estimate the
amount of cotton destroyed by the rebels.
Several thousand bales were collected in differ
ent parts of the city and set on fire almost sim
ultoneously with all the principal depois aud
warehouses No doubt the rebels intended 10
burn the city TO the ground despite the misery
this would entail on thousands of women, chill
dren and old men, of which classes the popua
ton of Charleston is now almost entirely com
posed. 1t was the opinion of GillmOre's staff
that in all probability two-thirds of the city
would be destroyed before the FIRE could be
extingushed, with the imperfect means for
subduing it on hand.
at four o'clock this morning There are var
Gus rumors and conjeciures as 10 their destina
tion. The general opinion is that they intend
concentrating in the vicinity of Florence Is. G J
to which point they have railroad commuaca-
tiou from Charleston unless il has been recently
destroyed by the expedition sent to Bulls Bay.
Several hundred rebels who secreled themselves
in different parts Of the city when the main
column was retreating, have given themselves
up. They relate the usual story of being sick
of the war, half starved, etc. They express q
desire to be allowed TO take the oath of aegi
euce to our Government aud remain in the city
Another account says: Charleston was
evacuated by the euemy on the night of the
l1th, leaving the Notifications unipjured. be.
sides three hundred guns, which they spiked.
The evacuation was first discovered at Fort
Moutre. n the morning. At ten O'Clock, a
part of the troop. stationed on James Island
crossed over in boats and took possession of the
city without opposition. Previous TO the enemy
evacuatng, they fred the upper part of the
city, by which sixty thousand bales of cotton
were burned. A fearful explosion occurred at
the Wilmington depot, by which several hun
dred citizens lost their lives. The building
was used for commissary purposes, aud situated
in the upper part of the city.
Admiral Dahlgren was the FIRST 10 run up TO
the city where he arrived about two o'clock.
General Gilmore followed soon after. and had
an interview with General Schimmeliennig, the
latter being the first general officer in the city,
and for the present in command. The remains
of two iron clads were found, which the enemy
destroyed by blowing them up previous TO the
evacuation The bockade-ruDDer Cyreue, just
arrived from Nassau fell into Onr hands Two
others were expected to run in on the 18th
The houses in the lower part of the city were
found completely riddled by our shot ard she'll
The wealthy part of the population have de-
serted the city, and now all that remains are
the poorer classes, who are suffering from want
of food.