The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-24
THE CITY ON FIRE AND TWO
THIRDS DESTROYED.
Fearful Explosion and Ter
rible Loss of Life.
Agonized Despair Of Old Men,
Women and Children.
CHARLESTON EVACUATED.
Secretary stanton 10 Gen. DIX.
OFFICIAL.

OFFICIAL
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Feb ~.
To MAJOR General Die:
The evacuation of Charleston by the rebels
Is announced in the following telegram just
received from Gen. Grant:
Cry PoIST, Va, Feb. 20.
To Hon. Z. II. Stanton:
The following dispatch just received;
(Signed) U. 8. dhANl,
Lieutenant General
The Richmond Examiner of to-day just re.
celyed. saws that Charleston was evacuated on
Tuesday last. -
(Signed) ". WEltLEA,
Major General.
NEW York, Feb. 2l.-The steamship
Fulton from Port Royal 18th, Charleston
18th, arrived this morning. Charleston
was evacuated by the enemy on the
night of the 18th, leaving the several for
tifcations uninjured besides 200 guns,
which they spiked. The evacuation was
first discovered at Fort Moultrie in the
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 city on
fire.
Previous to the enemy evacuatiug they
fired 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-th!rds of the city will be de-
stroyed.
A fearful explosion occurred in the Will
mington depot, cause unknown, by which
several hundred citizens lost their lives.
The building was used for commissary
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 8
O'Clock. Gen. Gilmore followed soon at.
ter and had an interview with General
STRENGTHENING, he being the first gem
eral officer in the city, and for this at
present is in command.
The remains of two iron-clads were
found which the enemy destroyed by blow
ing them up.
Previous to the evacuation the blockade
runner Cyrens had just arrived at Nassau,
and fell into our hands, and two others
were expected to run in on the night of
of the 18th The first flag over Sumter
was raised by Capt. Henry NJ. Bragg, a.
D. @. on Gen. Gilmore's staff.
The houses in the lower part were COM
pletely riddled by our shot and shell The
wealthy part of the population have de-
serted the city, and now all that remain
are of the poorer class, who are suffering
from want of food.
A movement had been made by force
under Gen. Hatch, which resulted in the
capture of six pieces of artillery.
The 1ribune's correspondent, who ar
rived by the Fulton gives the following
account:
CHARLESTON HARBOR, Feb. lS-Eearly
last evening Brig. Gen. STRENGTHENING,
commanding the northern district of the
Department of South Carolina, discovered
some indications which led him to believe
the rebels were about to evacuate Charles
ton and its defences.
he accordingly ordered his pickets and
picket boats to keep bright lookout and
report immediately any movement on the
part of the enemy. About half past three
A. N. this morning terrific explosion took
Mace in Charleston, which shook every
shin in the harbor and off the bar.
Almost simultaneous with the explosion
flames broke out and could be distinctly
seen in different parts of the city.
It appears the first explosion occurred
at the Wilmington depot the fire from
which rapidly communicated with adjacent
buildings, causing q general oonAagration
of an dwelling houses in the vicinity.
Il was while the unfortunate inhabitants
we're trying to extinguish the fire that the
second EXPLOSION took place, which resulted
~ disastrously, causing terrible loss of
i;fs amongst the women and children, who
are represented as having been horribly
This morning Gen. schemelfennins
1919 h;a forces and occupied the city and
=. Ssfau ces. The formidable earthworks