The New York herald., 1865-02-28

watching the approach of the 'Yankee boat Colonel
Bennett Immediately landed and 'sOld Goryn was dis
played again in the City Of Charleston amid the cheers
and cries Of joy Of the crowd assembled about it. 1t
perfect storm Of applause and ouburss Of unfegned
Joy and satisfaction The negroes with all their impul-
svenes were squalled by the whites in their exhibition
Of satisfaction and pleasure at the great event They
seized the hands Of the officers and men, and wept with
excess Of exultation and delight Such scene was
never dreamed Of by the most enthusiastic believer
In the loyalty Of certain portion Of the citizens Of
Charleston 1t took all our men by surprise.
COLONEL BENNETT DEMANDS EHE URRxNDxR THB CIT.
On landing was not deemed advisable by Colonel
Bennett 70 advance into the city. - he was informed
that rebel brigade still at the depot taking the
and that force Of cavalry securing the city
and impressing men into tho ranks and driving the
negroes before them. Al he had but nine man with
him he confined himself merely to sending to Mayor
Macbeth tho following psremptory demand for the
render Of the oity:-
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED srx1s FORCES,
CzARIHsIoS, O., Feb Is, 1896. J
Mayor CBARI1e MACBMH, Charleston:--
AAyoR-In the or the United States government,
demand s surrender Of the city Of which you are the
Until further orders al citizens will remain within
l have the honor 70 be, Mayor,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding United States forces,
MAYOR NAcBErHs suRRRsDEa.
10 this demand Colonel Bennett was subsequently
handed, by committee from the Mayor consisting Of
Aldermen Gilland and Williams letter which he was
about to despatch TO Morris Isand:-
To the GENERAL ComASDHo the Army Of the United
States at Morris Isand:-
S-The military authorities Of the Confederate States
i
law and preserve order until you take such steps as
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
CHARLES MACBETH, Mayor.
After o brief interview, in which the Aldermen in
formed Colonel Bennett that the city had been ared by
the rebels in various places and that the town was
threatened by total destruction the nremen all
secred in consequence Of the operations OF the rebel
cavalry who were mprsssing them and driving them
from the town whenever found and they desired pro
lection from the rebels in order that the remen might
perform their duty without fear Of being seised. To this
application Colonel Bennett returned TO the Mayor the
following communication
HEADoUARrERs UNITED STATES FORCES,
CHARLESTON HARBoR
NEAR ATLANTIC WHARF, Feb. Is, 1896
MAYOR CHARLES MACBETH have the honor to
knowledge the receipt Of your communication Of this
date.
Ihave in reply thereto to state that the troops under my
command will render every possible assistance 10 your
well disposed citizens in extinguishing the fires now
burning.
have the honor to be- Mayor very 5ssEgsssty &C.,
Lieutenant Colonel commanding United States Sorces
Charleston.
CHARLESTON pEAcE CoMMssfoNERB ADVENTURES
Alderman Williams, who happened to be mounted
fine horse rode back 10 the Mayor deliver the commun
cation He had not proceeded more than block or two
when he came upon fifty rebel cavalry who watchs
ing affairs They instantly halted peace commissioner
and blandly observed that they thought they should
be compelled TO dismount him. they under the
impression that they would take the horse In the coun
try he reflected an instant, and then observed, in
careless way that perhaps the Yankees who had just
landed five hundred strong, might object and he would
think Of the matter The announcement OF the arrival
OF Ave hundred Yankees quite enough for the bold
troopers Without taxing his horse OF further palaver
they wheeled, and rode wildly up Meeting street. an
nouncing the approach Of the Yankees ali stragger
and there was instantly great commoton and hurry
Meanwhile the fires were spreading with great ra-
pidty, and threatened TO sweep the CITY, until fifty
little handful Of men, when he instantly moved into
town with twcntyfv men, sending small detachments
TO take charge Of the public buildings and depots
RECEPTION OF OUR TROOPS BY THE CITIZENS.
His march up Meeting street was one continued ova
ton Crowds throngcd the streets and cheered, hur
Tested their delight at the arrival Of troops and ut
the sight OF the old flag borne ahead Of the little CON-
pany Of colored troops The officers mounted on
horses borrowed for the OCCASION and could hardly keep
their saddles many enthusiastic individuals Of both
sexes at the time shaking them by tho hand
andwelcomng them in other violent styles Charleston
never witnessed such scene before echoed loudly
to the cheers for president Lincoln" the Stars and
Stripes the "Yankee army and other patriotic sub
ccs, az II did on that memorable day One would sup
Universal outbrst Of low and the little hsnd of
Yankees moved with all the sclai Of most honorcd
friends instead Of successful enemies and conquerors
Was this, indeed the hotbed OF treasonthe very homo
Of disloyalty and rebeIons None would have dreamed
OF IL had they witnessed the reception Of flag and
troops that day 1t was most wonderful display Of 10y
aIty and patriotism.
SAVING THE ARSENAL
Colonel Bennett took possession Of the Citadel
q detachment at TO tho Arsenal, which saved
from destruction and with the city perhaps by the
timely arrival Of our men. The rebes had prepared
driven away by troops The report that the
Arsenal TO be blown at produced the great
neighborhood 1t contained large quantity Of powder
and fixed ammunition and its explosion would have
pcated the Savannah catastrophe, with more horrible
results II was saved however, and the citizens began
TO return TO their deserted residences
AT about O'Clock the last rebel who proposed going
away had town. the dcserters and rebel remen
began to emerge from their places Of secretion and ap
pear the streets The rcmen got out their apparatus
and devoted themselves to the extinguishent Of the
fires raging with violence at various points In the
city. They were aided by our troops, who began 70
arrive in numbers, and afef long struggle the flames
number OF buildings were destroyed A large quantity
OF cotton, probably two thousand bales, destroyed
together with considerable amount OF supplies.
CATASTROPHE WILMINGTON DEPOT.
The city during these confagrations was in agony
OF fear most horrible catastrophe had occurred In the
morning, which had terrified all.
The depot OF the Northeastern Railroad had
been blown up and large number Of lfves lost
In this building quantity of cartridges and kegs Of
powder had been stored by the rebels and they
time 70 II they left Il unprotected number
Of men, women and children had collected to watch the
burning OF quantity OF cotton in the railroad yard
which the rebels had fired and during the conhagaon
number Of boys while running about the depot, had
discovered the powder. For the fun Of the thing and
without realizing the danger they incurred they began
take up handfus Of loose powder and cartridges and
them from the depot TO the OF burning cotton
which they flung them, and enjoyed deal OF amusement
In watching the flashes OF the powder and the strange
ELECTS the cotton IL blown hither and thithcr
by the explosion of the cartridges. Quite a
number OF boys became engaged In this dan.
gcrous pastme and speedily the powder running from
their hands formed train upon the ground leading from
the IRE TO the main supplies olpowdcr in the depot The