American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-01

Charleston. unless it has been recently de-
stroyed by the expedition sent to Bulls
BaY.
| 1t is impossible to estimate the amount
of cotton destroyed by the rebels. Sever
al thousand bales were collected in differ
ent parts of the city and set on fire al
most simultaneously with all the princi-
pie depots and warehouses. There is no
doubt but the rebels intended to burn the
city to the ground, despite of the misery
| it would entail on thousands of women
children and old men, of which class the
inhabitants of Charleston is now almost
entirely composed. 1t was the opinion
of Gen. Gillmore's Staff that in all proba-
bility two-thirds of the city would be &c
stroyed before the fire could be extin
gushed with the imperfect means for sub
duingit; at hand.
1t is impossible at this period to esti-
mate the amount of ordinances captured
| but, from the fact that the rebels left in
a great hurry, it is reasonable to suppose
it is very large. Probably several hund-
red pieces ofartillery have fallen into our
possession. Those already discovered
were not seriously injured. Great care
has been taken, and every precaution us
ed to guard against disasters arising from
explosions such as that which took place
at Fort Fisher Several light draft gun
boats, and other craft, lave already com
menced fishing for torpedoes in the vicn-
ity of Fort Sumter, and are gradually
fishing them up, and placing thciu on
shore.
Admiral Dahlgren was the first officer
to run up to the city, where he arrived at
about two o'clock p. m. Gen. Q. A. Gill
more followed soon after in the Steamer
w. W. Colt, and had an interview with
Gen. Schmmelfennig he being the first
general officer in the city, and being for
the present in command. 1t is supposed
that Beauregard evacuated Charleston in
order to concentrate and give Sherman
battle The remains of the iron clads
were found, which the enemy destroyed
by blowing them up, previous to the eyac-
uation.
The blockade runner Cyrene just ar
rived from Nassau fell into our hands,
and two others were expected to run in on
the night of the 18th. The first flag over
Fort Sumter was raised by Capt. Henry
NJ. Bragg, A. d. G. on Gen Gillmore's
Staff, having for a staff an oar and boat
hook lashed together. The houses in the
lower part of the city were completely
riddled by our shot and she'll
The Herdlds letter from off Charles
ton, on the 18th inst, says, this morn
ing, as we lay at our anchorage, surroun<
ed by blockaders, our attention was at
tracted by vivid flash Illuminating tho
/ whole western horizon, disclosing in the
darkness inuumerable fragments flying
in all directions followed by dense col
umn of smoke and flame, and soon tn,
terrific explosive shock was descernablt
I in the fleet. Immediately after it othe
,s.fres were to be seen in several parts o
!, the city, and it was supposed that Sher
man had made his appearance in the rea
of the city or that the enemy were evacu
ating it Shortly after daylight the evac
! uation of Charleston was discovered b,
] the vidcttes on James Island. The agree
p able tidings were immediately communi
Gated to Gen. Schimmeliennig and prep
aration at once made for occupation.
At ten o'clock this morning the cit,
/ and Notifications were possessed by por
5 tion of Gen. Schimmelfennig's command
from James and Morris Islands. Th
time of the evacuation is not precis
known though the pickot-boats, in tn
E. harbor, report an unusual stir at Fort
k Sumter and Moultrie during the entir
II night, and the last troops were reporte
: to have left at six in the morning. Their
j. was but one known practical exhibitio
c of Moscow devotion, and that was in tn
: case of a devoted owner who set his hous
on fire and took his departure with tn
Il rear guard of the enemy. The porto
l. of the city exposed to our shells is almos
e in ruin, and had long been abandoned b
h its occupants. The buildings are eithe
1t entirely demolished or so much destro,
:, ed as to necesstate their entire reconstru'
IS ton. The streets are filled with rubbish
1t and here and there a shell or solid she
n exhibits Itself as the agent of such de-
truction.
,