Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-25
CHARLESTON OURS I
ALL THE FORTS IN OUR
POSSESSION
Gen. Anderson's Flag Again
Raised over Fort Sumter!
r e b els L e # Fortifications
Uninjured and 200 Guns!
The City on Fire and TwOs
Thirds Destroyed!

NEW YoRK. Feb. 2l.-The steamship
Fulton, from Port Royal 18th, Charios-
ton 18th, arrived this morning. Charles
ton was evacuated by the enemy on the
night of the 18th, leaving the several
fortifcations uniDjured besides 200 guns,
which they spiked. The evacuation WAS
first discovered at Fort Moutrie ia tho
morning at 10 O'Clock. Part of the
troops stationed at James Island crossed
over in boats, and took possession of the
city without opposition. Upper part Of
the city on fire.
Previous to the enemy evacuaiing they
fred the upper part of the city by which
5000 bales of cotton were burned, and
it is supposed that before the fire could
be subdued two-thirds of the city will be
destroyed.
A fearful explosion occurred in the
Wilmington depot, cause unknown, by
which several hundred citizens lost their
lives.
The building was used for commissa.
nv purposes, and situated in the upper
part of the city.
Admiral Dahlgren was the first to run
up the city, where he arrived at about 3
O'Clock. Gen. Gilmore followed soon af-
ter and had an interview with General
STRENGTHENING. he being the first gen.
eral officer in the city, aud for this at
present is in command.
The remsius Of two iron-clads wers
found. which the eRemy destroyed by
blowing them up.
Previous to the evacuation the block.
ade runner Cyrena had just arrived at
Nassau, and fell into our hands, and two
others were expected to run in on the
night Of the 18th. The first flag over
Sumter was raised by Capt Henry NJ.
Bragg, A. D. @. on General Gilmore's
staff.
The houses in tbs lower part wers
completely ridded by our shot and
shell. The wealthy part Of the popul4-
ton have deserted the city. and now sIl
that remain are of the poorer class, who
arc suffering from want of food.
A movement Ind been made by
force under Gen. Hatch. which resulted
in the capture of six pieces Of artillery.
The TriJuns's correspondent, who ar.
rived-by the Faton, gives the following
account /:
CHARLESTON HARBoR. Feb. 1s.-Ear.
ly last evening" Brig. Gen. Schemelfea-
ming, commanding the north ern district
of the department of South Carolina.
discovered some indications which led
him to believe the rebels were about to
ovacuate Charleston and its defences.
He accordingly ordered bis pickets and
picket boats to keep bright look out
and report Immediately any movement
on the part of the enemy. About half
past 3 \. N. this morning terrific explo-
sion took place in Charleston, which
shook every ship 10 the hsrbor and of
the bar.
Almost simultaneous with the explo-
sion flames broke out and could be dis.
tiuctly seen in different parts of the city.
1t appears the first explosion occur
red at the Wilmington depot, the FIRE
from which rapidly communicated with
adjacent buildings, causing a general
confagration Of all the dwelling houses
in the vicinity.
1t was while the unfortunate iDhabi.
iants were trying to extinguish ssthe fire
that the second explosion took place.
which resulted SO disastrously. causing
terrible loss Of life amongst tho women
and children, who are represented as
having been horribly mutilatsd.
This morning Gen. STRENGTHENING
landed his forces and occupied the CITY
and its defences. The formidable earth.
works on James Island are found aban.
doned, and the guns spiked.
At ten o'clock this morning detach-
ment was sent to take possession of Fort
Sumter. and raise the flag which Gsner-
al Anderson hauled down nearly four
years ago.
At o'clock the flag was raised amidst
cheers. As fast as forces could be-
thrown into the city they were set to
work to put out the fire, which, up to
he time of leaving, was raging fereely
IN different parts of the city.
Old man, women and children are
rushing frautically to and fro in agonized
despair at the loss of their homes and
he killing and mutilatng of-their friends.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount
IF cotton destroyed BY the rebels.
Severrl Thousand bales were collected
N different parts of the city. and set on
IRE almost simultaneously with .he prin-
,ipal depot.
1t was the opinion Of Gen. Gilmors's
staff that in all probability two.thirds Of
he city would be destroyed before the
ire could be extinguished with the im-
perfect means for subduing it Mt hand.
The last reargusrd Of the rebsls leo