Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-07-30

oveAowed. were drowned. The inhabi-
tan,s remained or took refuge in their
houses. generally built on the highest
grounds, in expectation that they would be
safe bu, these also were soon surrounded.
As the water rose in the houses, sweeping
away every thing around them, they as
cended into their garrets. One whole Ia
miIy, the wife of Augus;in Houle' and s,A
children. were precipitated in the Hood
along with their house, and drowned. Se'
yeral other houses and barns were carried
away, or damaged, but we have not heard
of any other lives being lost. Many OF the
/, inhabitants have lost alf their cattle, and
great portion Of the live stock OF the whole
settlement is drowned. All the hay being
generally along the river, almost al! the
grain is destroyed. Sand and heaps OF
drilled timber, now cover the fields. on
which the unfortunate owner contemplated
with pleasure, only the evening before, an
| abundant reward of his labor, or nj least, a
fair prospect OF future subsistence Tor him.
self and family.
The river rose FEET in twelve minutes,
! and about 9 fee. above its usual level in
few hours; from stream Of about 80 feet,
il became river Of more than one mile in
width it tore up by the roots elm trees OF
three feet in diameter, and has made gu!les
throughout the fields 10 the depth OF feet.
In many places its course is changed; the
main bed of the river now rams where the
house OF one Antoine Couture stood the day
before. 1t was FIVE days before it retired
within its bank.
There had been no rain Of any conse-
auence at ST. Giles for more than week
before the above disaster. The cause OF
the sudden overlooking Of the river, is sup
posed to be the heavy thunder showers OF
the preceding day, among the mountains
on the south shore, towards the sources OF
the ST.. Giles. People who were working
on Craig's road, six leagues up the waters
of the St. Giles, and those that came in from
Broughton, report that the rain fell in tor.
rents in those parts on Sunday afternoon
and during the night. In Brough.on the
course Of river was changed by lis over
flowing, the roads quilted, and bridges car
red away. 1t is needless to mention that
along the St. Giles, hardly any roads or
bridges remain.
Among the late arrivals OF troops, cur at
tention has been particularly drawn to the
68th light infantry regiment; it being re-
markably fine body ofyouns healthful lcok-
ing men.
Yesterday morning at sunrise, and Tor
some hours after, the town was covered with
saffron cooured haze, 10 the great sur
prise of many, and the alright Of some.
1t is not, however, the first time that we
have seen the atmosphere so colored, par
ticularly in eclipses Of the sun. On the
| disappearance of the haze, the orb OF day
| shone with his usual spledor; with which
| we have for some time past, been blessed in
an extraordinary'degree, and latterly with
alternate fructilying showers, as is evinced
by the verdant aspect of the country, We
getation generally being in very advan-
ced and Aourishing state. The heats have
been uncommonly intense for so early
season as the end of June and the begin
ming Of July.