Evening star., 1865-03-01

apartment
1t was stored.
The spectacle which followed was horrible
In an instant the whole building was enveloped
in smoke and flames. The cries OF the wounded
tine mobility of the spectator to render assis.
tance to those rolling and perishing in the fire.
all rendered it a scene of indescribable terror
The flames spread with great rapidity, commu a.
nicating to the adjoining buildings, including
the fine large residence of DIR. Seaman Dess, on
the northeast corner of Chapel and Alexander
streets, all Of which were destroyed.
The buildings on the opposite side of the
street were soon enveloped in flames and the
fire now became unmanageable. All the build.
ings embraced in the area of four squares on
Chapel, Alexander, Washington, and Charlotte
were destroyed. About ten o'clock fire broke
ont in the large fonr story brick building of
Madam Du Rec at the northeast corner OF East
Bay and Laurens street This with the ad-
Joining building on the northeast corner OF
Minority street, we're all burned.
Another fire broke out about IL o'clock in a
range OF buildings on the west side OF Meeting
street, next toIhs court house. Five buildings
were burned, the walls only being left stand
ing The alarm of fire in ward four was caused
by the burning Of the inside OF millinery es-
tablishment on King street.
In addition to the above fires the new bridge
from the city to James Island was set on fire,
and was still burning on Sunday night.
Destruction of the Gunboats.
The burning and blowing up Of the iron-
c1sds Palmetto State Chicora, and Charles ton
was a magnificent spectacle. The Palmetto
State was the first 10 explode, and was fol-
lowed by the Chicora about nine O'Clock, and
the Charleston about eleven "a. m. The latter,
it is stated had twenty tons of gunpowder on
board. Pieces OF her iron plates, red hot, fell
on the wharves and set them on fire.
By the active exertions of Superintendent
Thomas Turner, the gas works were saved. The
explosion was terrific. Tremendous clouds OF
smoke went up, forming beautiful wreaths.
A full Palmetto tree, with its leaves and stems,
was noticed by many observers. AS the last
wreath of smoke disappeared, the full form Of
rattlesnake in theicentre was remarked by
many as it gradually faded away.
ADDITIONAL ExrBAGTs CTS, FROM SOUTHERN
The following additional extracts are made
from Richmond papers of the 25th ultimo:
From Seuth Carolina.
From tha Richmond Dispatch, Feb. q.
The contest tor the possession OF Columbia
the result can only be attributed to sheer
numerical superiority; the fig ghtng, according
to accounts, having been carried On within the
very streets OF the city. We are informed that
safely removed, and that whatever was de-
stroyed by our authorities consisted OF such
materials as could be easily procured or re.
placed elsewhere.
The Arming of the Slaves.
Richmond papers of Saturday are mostly
devoted TO bitter attacks upon the rebel Con-
gress
The Enquirer Of Saturday, the 25th, in n long
editorial, says: "There is but one thing for the
President to do. and to this end without law,
he should call upon the people to send their
slaves to the front, even to take them and use
them, for the public safety is above all laws
and constitutions"
The Reported Repulse to Sherman.
lFrom the Charlotte IN. c. Democrat, Feb 2I1
miles Of the most stirring scenes in South Caro-
lima, we know but little Of what has occurred
or is transpiring.
The rumors from the scene of operations are
yJ0a 0aarf fnjn nIxytz
here is that the city OF Colum bia is now in nos.
session OF the enemy, and that the enemy oc.
cupied the place ON Friday last, after fight
or heavy skirmish with our troops: and that
our troops are now concentrating at a point a
few miles this side Of Columbia. What sort
OF a battle took place, and the loss on either
eide is unknown to the public here. There
are hundreds OF reports concerning it, but
few, If any OF them are worth the least Gre
dence.
Preparations are being m ade to guard against
loss OF public property If the enemy shouId ad
vance on that point ~
1t is reported Inat Gen. H. IL Nm. o. Goa.
Cbeatham attacked the enemy in the rear on
Thursday or Friday last, and captured 500
prisoners and number of wagons. II so the
enemy will not be much disposed to advance
In this direction with fire both in his rear and
front
We learn that the enemy, after getting into
Columbia, burned all the depots. The cotton
stored in the city was either burned by the en-,
emy or our own people. The government prop
erty, or at least great deal OF it, was removed
before our troops evacuated the place.
r. S.-A gentleman who arrived here this
(Monday) morning, from below, informs US
that cavalry fight took place betwaen Ridg-
way and Columbia on Saturday or Sunday
last, and that the enemy were driven back
Another gentleman states that Gen Cheat
ham whipped the enemy at Alston, S c., and
damaged him considerably. We are disposed
TO believe these reports.
Public Meeting in Goldsboro'-Speech of
Gov. Vance.
fFrOm Richmond Whfg, Feb %
Gov Vance addressed the people at Colds
boro', N. c., on Saturday last. The Journa,
gives sketch OF his remarks, from which we
copy the following:
Gov. Vance said that he was one OF the last
to give up the Union. But his State, in solemn
council, gave ii up forever, and he was raadv
10 die tor the pledge there made for US Are
you he asked LCries of ''We are, - and cneers1
He sketched the history OF the late attempt to
stop the war, aid proceeded to show that the
terms OF "uncondi'ionai Submission" Insisted
On by Lincoln were terms which could only be
accepted from or be accepted by dogs.
Tone OF the North Carolina Press.
A disI atch from Washington says:-Nearly
all OF the exchanges found in the Wilmington
IN. c. Journal office on the day of It's capture,
have been received here
The tone of the North Carolina papers, such
as the Fayetteville Telegraph, Raleigh Pro-
gress and others, show q determined spirit OF
re resistan &c 10 JEFF. Davis. The Progress is out
spoken IN its hostility, and ridlcules most Bit
terly Gov. Fance's proclamation to the people
Of wealthy secessionists across the Chowan
river are making preparations to receive our
troops and get within our lines to save them
selves from Richmond taxation.
Danger Threatening the r ebeIs FIR ON Want
of Harmony.
From the Richmond Whig, Feb. p
A gray haired merchant Of this city offered
the other day 10 give the government half what
he owned in the world, to close his store and
TO devote his whole time. without charge, TO
hospital duty If thereby he could ensure the
success Or promote the good OF the cause. An
other old gentleman, living in the country, in
rene wing his subscription to the Whig, writes
that, but for his infrm health, which confines
him to the house. he would in spite of his 20
winters, shoulder his musket and fight under
the black flag rather than submit to be ruled
by the Yankees Still another old gentleman,
writing from the country, implores Congress
to do its duty, and lay on the taxes. Thepeople
he declares, are willing to be taxed any amount,
to endure any privation, in order to benehs the
cause.
This is the true spirit Of patriotisni-the gen.