The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-14

SOME PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE EvACUA-
TION OF CHARLEsToN.--The Charleston Courier
of the goth of Feby, speaking of the withdrawal of
the Confederate troops from the city of Charleston,
says:
The terrific scenes. through which this communi-
ty has passed can only be conceived by those who
witne ssed the dreadful reality The saddest part of
all is the loss of life which occurred between 8
and o'clock Saturday morning the 18TH from an
accidental explosion of powder and the blowing up
Of the Northeastern Railroad Depot. About $50
persons-including men, women and chidren-were
either instantly killed persisted in the flames, and
about 300 wounded Of the immense destruction of
property no estimate can be formed but it will
amount to several millions. Early Saturday morn
ing. before the retirement of Gen. Hardee's troops
every building, warehouse or shed stored with cot
ton was fred by guard detailed for the purpose
The Engines were brought out but with the small
force at the disposal of the Fire Department very
little else could be done than to keep the surround
ing buildings from ignitng. On the western side of
the city the confagration ragged with great fury On
the wharf of the Savannah Railroad depot several
hundred bales cotton and several thousand bushels
rice. together with several sheds and buildings filled
with cotton and rice, fell prey to the flames
Lucas mill. containing some 10000 bushels ofrice.
and I Walkers warehouse at the foot of Broad
street. filled with commssary stores, also de-
stroyed.
Shortly after O'Clock occurred the terrible ex-
plosion at the Northeastern railroad The explosion
was tremendous and shook the whole city. 1t ap
pears from all that this dreadful catastro-
phe caused by the careless handling of powder
by some boys, taking handfulls and throwing it into
the cotton fire at the depot. In doing this they
willingly laid train to the apartment in which it
stored. The spectacle which followed was hor
ribIe. Ia an instant the whole building envel-
oped in smoke and flames. The cries Of the
d"d the inability of the spectators to render asss
lance to those rolling and pershing in the fire. all
rendered it a scene of indescribable terror. The
flames spread with great rapidty communicating
to the adjoining buildings including the fine large
residence of DIR. Seaman Deas. on the northeast
corner of Chapel and Alexander streets, all of which
were destroyed. The buildings on the opposite side
of the street soon envelOppd in flames. and the
fire became manageable. All the buildings
embraced in the area of four squares or Chapel,
Alexander Washington and Charlotte streets, to
Calhoun street, with few exceptions. destroyed
About 10 o'clock, fire broke out in the large four
story brick building of Madam DuRee, at the north
east of East Bay and Laurens street, This.
with the adjoining buildings on the northeast corner
broke out about ii o'clock in q range of buildings
the west side of Meeting street pext to the Court
House. Five buildings burned the walls only
were left standing. In addition to the above fires,
the Bridge from the city to James Island was
set fire and burnt.
The burning aud blowing up of the ironclads
Palmetto State, Chicora and Charleston, mag
nfcent spcctacle.- The Palmetto State the
first to explode and was followed by the Chicora,
and then the Charleston. The latter. it is stated.
had twenty tons of gunpowder on board. Pieces of
the iron plates red hot fell the wharves and
them on fire. The explosions terrific"
HELPING THE CAUsE.-We suppose the mem