Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-22

Rebels Evacuate on the 17th-The
City on irc-Terrible Explosion
Several Hundred Citizens Killed
Large Amount of Cotton Bu rned
-TheOId Flag Floats Over Sumter
General Gilmore's official Report.
New YORK, Feb. 21.-The steamship Full
ton, Captain Noleton, from Port ROYAL and
Charleston Bar Feb. Is, at P. NJ, arrived
this morning. Purser John McManus fur
nishes us with the following memoranda:
Charleston was evacuated by the en-
emy on the night of the 18th, leaving
| the several Notifications uninjured, be-
sides 200 guns, which they spiked. The
evacuation was first discovered at Fort
Moultrie. In the morning at 10 o'clock,
part of the troops stationed atJames Island
crossed over in boats, and took possession
of the city without opposition. The upper
! part of the city is on fire.
/ Previous to the enemy evacuating, they
| fired the upper part Of the city, by which
5000 bales of cotton were burned, and it is
supposed that before the fire could be sub
dued two-thirds of the city will be de-
stroyed. A fearful explosion occurre d
I in the Wilmington depot-cause un-
knoWn-by which several hundred citizens
lost their lives. The building was used for
commissary purposes, and situated in the
upper part OF the city.
Admiral Dahlgren was the first to run
up to the city, where he arrived at about 2
o'clock. Gen. Gilmore followed soon after,
and had an interview with Gen. Ichenel-
fling, he 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
blockade runner Cyrene, just arrived from
Nassau, fell into our hands, and two others
were expected to run in on the night of
| the 18th.
I The first flag over Sumter was raised by
Capt. Henry NJ. Bragg, A. d. G. Oh General
Gilmore's staff.
| Houses in the lower part of the city were
| completely riddled by our shot and shell.
The wealthy part of the population have
deserted the city, and now all that remains
are the poorer classes, who are suffering
from want of food.
A movement had been made by the force
under Gen. Hatch, which resulted in the
capture of six pieces of artillery.
The Tribune's correspondent, who arrived
by the Fulton, gives the following account:
CHARLESTON HARBoR. Feb. 1S.-Early last
evening Brig. Gen. Schimmilfannig, COM
manding the Northern district, Department
of the South, discovered some indications
which led him to believe that the rebels
were about to evacuate Charleston and its
defenses, and he accordingly ordered his
pickets and picket boats to keep a bright
look out and report Immediately any move
ment on the part of the enemy.
About half-past 8 this morning terrific
explosion took place in Charleston, which
shook every ship in the harbor and off the
bar, and almost simultaneous with the ex-
plosion, flames broke out and could be dis
tinctly seen in different parts of the city.
1t appears the first explosion took place at
the Wilmington depot, the fire from which
rapidly communicated with the adjacent
buildings, causing general eonfiagration
of all dwelling houses in the vicinity, and
it was whilst the unfortunate inhabitants
were trying to extinguish this fire that the
severe explosion took place, which resulted
so disastrously, causing terrible loss Of life
amongst the women and children, who are
represented as having been horribly mutt
lated. tn
About six o'clock this morning General
Schimmiltannig moved his forces and oc-
cupied the city and its defenses. The form
idable earthworks on James Island were
found abandoned, and the guns spiked. AT
8 o'clock this morning detachment was
sent to take possession of Fort Sumter, and
raise the nag winch General Anderson
hauled down nearly four years ago. At 8
o'clock the flag was raised amidst deafening
cheers.
AS fast as 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 furiously in different parts of the
city; old men, women and children rushing
frantically to and fro in agony of despair at
the loss of their homes. and the killing and
mutilating of their friends.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount of
cotton destroyed by the rebels. Several
thousand bales were collected in different
parts of the city and set on fire almost sim
ultaneously, with all the hospitals, depots
and warehouses. There is no doubt but
the rebels intended to burn the city to the
ground, despite the misery it would entail
on thousands of women, children and old
men, of which class the inhabitants of
Charleston is now almost entirely compos-