Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-08

nah ON Inc night of the 9th of January and the
morning of tho 2Sth viii not soon forgot the events
which TRANSFERRED during that period. Inc horrors
OF such time can scarcely be met win more llan
once in a lifetime.
coMxINt&MENf on TIE FIRE.
Eleven o'clock struck from the Exchange 1'hlld-
ing and its echoes had scarcely died away when lic
lire bell pea!ed out lis notes Vi alarm n dense
smoke from the western part OF the CITY Indicated
the locality IN which the fire commenced. The lire
apparatus was speedily THEN way, but then on
ward move mentS were quickly checked ~ conse-
unence OF events which will appear hereafter.
The fire comulenccd on the north side OF Tnbby
street between Ann and ST. Gall streets. ltbroke
ont ia the Stable of Mrs. Ann Moriell Whether
this trc was the work OF an ihcendiary u purely
accidental has not yet been demonstrated; Some
assert that it was rebel hands which applied the
torch and II may be well here to REMARK That Strong
evidence has been adduced TO carry OUT this idea
There are also many other circumstances brought
forward prove that the hre was simply the result
of accident.
EXTENSION or THE FiRE.
Half an hour from the commencement found the
flames leapjnc furiously from building to building
The nremen came within few hundred yards OF the
lire but hearing that one OF the buildings contained
a large amount Of ammubitl0b ana SHELLY they did
not deem il prudent TO remain long III the vicinity
Then il was that the flames, not meeting with any
impedhnent careered wildly their mission OF
destruction and death. Then did the .liery flakes
ia SD from point to point, until one block Was Gu
velopcd in a single blaze and the Fire King became
truly monarch of strength and defiance. House
.uter house became enycoped in the embraces OF
the relentless toe DOME and pinnacle Jared alike in
the march of the Unpitlin cOnqucror.
TIE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE sukI.l.s.
At twelve o'clock, midnight, the flames had
reached Granite Hill, corner of West Broad and
Brorghton streets. This had been used by the
rebels as an arsenal for shells and ammunition and
ii was known that large quantity OF the former
WAS then stored in the building Some asserted
that there were thirty tons Of gunpOyder in the
arsenal, aud this announcement received credence
az the hands of great many, and spread with ra-
pidity throughout the length aud breadth of the
city. Fortunately this report proved false. If II
had been So, few would have been left in the city
oil Savannah to tell the tale.
About ten minutes after twelve the first shell eX-
poded the startled Of the inhabitants al Sa
vannah. This explosion was followed immediately
by several others, which continued banging away at
laundering rate for period OF at least Two hours.
With the exception of the military OH duty and
few citizens all in the city had retired to rest
When aroused b. the explosions the people didnot,
or could not, understand the cause OF such tu-
multi. The noise bore strong Resemblance TO the
movements OF fierce battle. While the fire gained
Roadway the explosions became more rapid and con-
tinuous leaving ground ior the suspicion that the
contestants were drawing nearer and nearer. But
on donnng their clothes and rushing into the open
air the truth burst upon them.
OPERATIONS OF THE sHELLs-AccIDESTs AND INcI-
Dents. e.
1t is providential fact that more deaths have not
ensued from the explosion of the shells. From ac-
counts which CLEANED amid the ruins of the Ere ii
would appear that some fifteen or twenty persons
mad been either burned 10 death or killed outright.
Reports are current that large numbers have been
buried under the falling walls but no facts had yet
TRANSFERRED to substantiate the assertion IL true
however, that quite humber Of persons have been
wounded by pieces of she'll. A few Of these have
seen, but none whose injuries will prove of fatal
Il character.
Pieces Of shell were found in some instances two
fmiles from the arsenal. The streets leading TO the
locality strewn with fragments of those danger
GUS missiles. Several houses and number of trees
bore undcubted marks Of the visitation, while iron
ratings and pavements were torn from their repos
tories and piled in every direction. Hundreds Of
people were in the streets and had the daring
10 90 within short distance of the fire; but :,
eral paid dearly for their carelessness One you
man had his arm shattered dangerously, while an
other received severe fracture Of the leg. Some
others were troubled with scratches aud narrow
capcS Through West Broad street leading TO the
river the shells fell thick and fast and the stree
became well sprinked with the fragments.
THE SCENE At NIGuT-THE CITY AROUSED.
Wien the fire burst into its full magnitude the
scene presented was one of fierce aud thrilling
grandeur. no pen can fully describe, nor any ar
fist properly deliBeate the awful Inaje ty OF the
pict ire The night was calm and clear. Forth
nately there was no strong wind blowing at the time
By standing on an elevated position (Which was
somewhat dangerous) you had an excellent view of
the whole scene. Some OF the shells burst high in
the air carr ying destruction, and, IN some cases,
DEATH with them. Tue luTd flames lit mp the horl-
ION for miles around. The sparks OF lire few
through the air the entire city, and in several
instances fired buildings al its extreme end but no
great injury is reported as having resultedGffom
these missiles. Throughout the city all was conill-
sion and alarm. The citizens rushed lither and
|thhpr in every direction; the military order
ed under arms and patrolsd the streets guards
plaeed on each corner half dressed and NO
men stood in the thUroughEiTgs and at house en-
Frances, While terror was depicted on the conne-
nance of each citizen The heliefthat the arsenal
contained a large quantity Of gunp0wder strength
ened this terror, aud every moment the terrible ex
plOsiOn was expected Ia SHAKE The city to atoms.
Some simple individuals who were far removed
FROM the scene OF the fire ventufed the assertion
thar Gen. Hardce had come hack to the%tyand
was laundering at the gates for admissions
NARROW ESCAPE or GEy. GROWER
The gallant General Grover, now post command
er at-the city of Savannah, had narrow escape
ftOu receiving serious injuries. He was standing
on the stOop OF his headquarters, when heavy
piece Of she'll whizzed past his head. 1t could not
have been more than two inches from him, aud
had prOpelling force of no mean strength. Had
the General been standing in different attitude,
the probability is that he would have been stricken
dead.
ANOTHER ArTrxPT TO clUsE ExPLosIoS.
A keg of powder, with the head OF, was found sta
toned ON the sidewalk opposite the ARSENAL in
Whitaker street, on the night of tina fire. There
were thirty tons of gunpowder in this building.
SUFFERERS BY THE FIRE.
At was indeed pitiful sight to see the hundreds
of unfortunate women and children who have been
cast upon the cold charities OF the world by this
conhagraton. On the night which write about
the air was btingly coh, the ground damp. Those
people who for the past TWO years have been suffer
ers by the war, we're in few short hours beret OF
their roofs, their furniture aud their clothing
thrown out into the streets of Savannah, without
place 10 lay their heads blanket to protect them
from the chilling blasts of Southern climate. Hud
dld ON street corners and in dOOrways they looked