thrown about the streets - But the sadest of all is the contemplation of human sacrifice - the morning papers give the loss of life at from two - to three hundred - There were a great many wounded the news papers give - the soldiers & sailors great credit for their daring & bravery in rescueing the victims from the ruins.  There was a strong wind at the time from S. W. the explosion was in the N. E. part of the Citty otherwise the whole Citty would likely have been burned, as the debris from the blown up buildings, hay - cotton &c rapidly took fire & burned all evening & night & to make it still worse - huge shells kept up a noise like a canonade throwing their fragments all over the citty - It must have been almost like being in battle. - Well my dear I must rest a while.
  5 P. M. I have been talking with Barton, who has been up to the Citty to day again, (he was there yesterday & in fact nearly every day, "mucho savy" Barton) he more than confirms the statement of the papers, he says they have found 300 dead already, & are still taking out the dead. - he says he has no doubt but that there has been at least 1,000 killed.  May be so, don't speak of it as my opinion, but "Bartons" - he says there are fourteen squares laid flat, & I don't know what all - I don't know how it is - I was lyeing on my cot at the time. & I wish I could describe the noise my first impression was that it was a tremendous clap of thunder but instantly another, & yet there was but one - it was as if - one well I cant describe it - please excuse me - louder than - pent up lightnings - all bursting at once - I looked out & there being a clear place between us & the Citty - the volume of smoke that rolled up was one of the most awfully grand specticles I have ever witnessed.  The day was clear & the sun shinin full on the sollid volume gave it the appearance of a heavy cloud - bursting & unfolding
