The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-03-15

stration deceived them (for they believed
that he had very large force, while, IN
fact, he had but 1900 men), and they
began to leave the city on Friday. Har-
dee himself left Charleston on Friday
night, and the last of the Rebels took
their leave early on Saturday.
DESTRUCTION OF COTTON AND PUBLIC
STORES.
Before leaving, details Of soldiery were
sent TO fire every building without ex,
ception in which cotton was stored. Il
is estimated that 1000 bales were con
sumed. The western portion Of Charles
ton suffered severely by these fires. The
cotton thus destroyed belonged chiefly to
the Rebel Government but hundreds Of
bales, the property Of citizens, shared the
same fate Thirty thousand bushels of
rice, Government property, aud large
warehouse filled with eommissary stores,
were also destroyed. The fire engines
were brought out, but we're powerless to
extinguish the flames. They succeeded
only il paeventing it from spreading.
HORRIBLE CALAMITY,
When the starving poor people heard
that the public stores were being burned,
they ran in great crowds to try to save
some Of the rice. This was about s O.
clock in the morning. Some boys dis
covered where a large supply of gunpow-
der was stored, and amused themselves
with tossing handfuls Of 1t into the large
piles of burning cotton Suddenly the
fire communicated to the magazine, and
fearful explosion took place. The scene
is described as being extremely horrible.
1t is estimated by the citizens that up
ward Of $50 men, women and children
peri8hed IN the flames, and that nearly
200 were injured, burned and wounded.
Possibly this NAV be an exaggerated
estimate; but there are no public officers
yet from whom the truth ca0 be ascer-
tanned, and rumor is wholly untrustwor-
thy. This frightful calamity occurred at
the North Eastern Railroad depot, which
was totally destroyed. The miserable
victims were seen tumbling about 10
agony, literally roasting alive; their wild
shrieks were appalling-and all help was
impossible.
DESTRUCTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.
The flames rapidly communicated to
the adjacent buildings and four large
blocks we're almost entirely burned down.
This fire ravaged Chapel, Calhoun, East
Bay and Laurens.sts., in the vicinity OF
the n. G. Railroad depot. Two large
brick buildings on the corner Of East Bay
and Laurens-sts. and Minoty SITS. were
also destroyed An hour later five build
ings near the Court house, on Meeting St,
were added to the list Of total losses by
the fire. The new bridge from the city
to James Island was similarly destroyed.
DESTRUCTION OF THE GUNBoAGs.
While these scenes Of horror were 90
ing on, the Rebel iron cIads were burning
These vessels were named the Palmetto
State. the Chicora and the Charleston.
The Palmetto State exploded with & fear
ful noise about o'clock, and the
Chicora followed suit shortly afterward
The Charleston held out till IL o'clock,
and then burst asunder One of these
iron clads had 20 tuns Of gunpowder on
board, and the effect of its ignition was
terrific Red hot iron plates were thrown
as far as the wharf, and soon set them 90
fire. But tie wharves were saved from
destruction By the Fire Department. The
works were in danger, but were success
fully protected. We still have gas,
therefore, such as it is-but as it is made
wholly of Southern pine, it is far from
being brilliant light. The Charleston
Courier Of Monday (No. 2O,O0D, men
ticns curious phenomenon connected
with or caused by these explosions. "The
explosions" it says were terrific. Tire
mendous clouds Of smoke went up form
irc beautiful wreath5. A full Palmetto
tree, with its leaves or stems, was noticed
by many Observers. As the last wreath
Of smoke disappeared, the full form Of the
rattle snake in the center was remarked
by many as it gradually faded away"
The Courier made no comments Oh
this significant phenomenon but when
its fugitive editors return (if they ever
do come back, they will fnd that the
Palmetto and Battlesnske event up"
last Saturday, never to descend. They
ended as the Contederacy will end-in
smoke.
THE NEGRO TROOPS ENTER CHARLESTON.
The first national soldiers that landed
in Charleston in the capacity Of masters
of the Rebel city, were the South Caro-
lima negroes (thank God y of the Twenty
first United States Colored Troops. There
was also n detachment of the gallant