I have just heard of the terrific fire which was at last accounts desolating Charleston. This is indeed a terrible blow to us, the course of the fire has been through the heart of the city. I presume we owe the disaster to Yankee sympathizers in our midst. I cannot but wish that I may one day see Washington and Philadelphia retributively laid in ashes. The extent of the fire is yet unknown to us and I hope that it has been exaggerated. We hear that the Charleston Hotel, the Mills House, The Circular Church Cathedral, St. Andrews & the Institute Halls are among the buildings destroyed.

Camp Camden Dec. 14 (ca. 1861)
The early war letters of Charles Furman

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