Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-19

ing IN the street continued for some time al
ter the city was fred, and the streets were at
once in terrible confusion, being filled with
frightened men, women and children, rum
ming before the hames. All that could be ao-
commodated were given shelter on board thls
shin, and many others sought refuge on the
shipping at the wharyes,
THE "GALENA" FORCED TO SHIFT.
The fire having reached the Pacific Mail
wharf, and the Galena being in great danger,
slipped my chain and steamed out To- sate
anchorage in the harb0r Lieut.. Judd ana
his force were left on the shore to save and
protect all the property they could. Lieut..
Elliott had been sent with his company to
the Panama Railroad CompRny's property, on
the northern side of the island. Lieut.. Judd,
with the rest of his command, fell
back before the fire TO the Pacific Mail steam
ship COmpany's wharf. where he rendered
all the assistance he could, and then made q
detOur of the northern part of the town to
support Lieut.. Elliott. The combined force,
after much hard work. succeeded in checking
the spread OF the fire in the northern part of
the city, and all that portion was saved and
taken possession Of, and guards and
patrols were established TO prevent further
destruction OF property The Pacific Mall
steamship COmpany's property was saved
from incendiarism by the guard OF this ship,
and with the assistance of it's own we'll
equipped fire department it was protected
from the flames OF adjacent wharyes THIS
was the only wharf saved, and guard was
sent from the snip to protect it. The crew of
Her British Majesty's gun vessel Lily rendered
great assistance In saving suippng at the
Wharyes, none of which was destroyed.
CANAL PROPERTY UNTOUCHED.
The fire did not extend to the Panama Ca
nal COmpany's property at ChTistoph Colon.
All that has been saved of the town Of Aspln-
wall is due TO the protection afforded by tins
ship and the efficiency and hard work OF the
officers aud men in lighting the IRE. The fire
mas made destitute thousands OF people, who
have lost everything they had. ! now hold
possession OF all the American property on
he island that has been saved. Colombian
troops, to the number OF about 100 men,
are here, and their duty consists
IN holding prisoners. They give but lttle
issistance in guarding the town. The com
plcarOns Of the afternoon Of March 80 could
have been avoided had ! been informed in
time regarding the arms on the Colon. Every
tniug has boen quiet since March Ia, the date
OF my last dispatch to the depar ment. Ne
gOtiatiOns for peace were being considered
and it was believed that the government
forces at Panama were TOO weak to attack
this place.
THE PRESENT SITUATION.
Tho town has quioted down, thousands Of
people having left for Jamaica and Panama,
and other points on the railroad. There lf
no government here now. small body OF
COlomb ian government troops occupy few
OF the old houses that have been saved, and
are being fed by the Panama Railroad Com
pauy and this ship. and their prisoners have
bccn AtlubftA 10 q steamer th anchor lu tit
harh0r, an are well guarded.
The steamship Colon leaves Tonight with
passengers and mail for New York. ! have
declined To allow the Colon 10 land the arms
and ammunition brought as fre ght from New
) ork for Aepmwal and Panama
The officers and men of my command on
shore are all well, except Lieut.. Judd, who
has been condemned by ths medical survey,
and goes home in the Colon
PANAMA's DESTRUCTION FEARED.
Private kilograms received here to-day
say that the people OF Panama are appre.
! hensive OF the destruction Of that city by
! the rebels. Senor Becerra, the Colombian
| Minister, says that troops have been sent
| from Cauca to aid in protecting lives and
| property at Panama. SenOr Becerra has
received no adYices whatever concerning
the reported drowning OF 100 rebels by the
government troops, and he expresses the
opinion that the story is absurd on its
lNpa.