The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-03
From the Charleston Courier, 30th .Masj
THE FRESHET.

The Cars yesterday were only from Aiken, 80
communication having been had with Hamburg.
We learn from the conductor of the cars, that
an attempt was made on Thursday afternoon, to
reach Hamburg with hand car, propelled byl
manual labor, and succeeded in getting within a
mile or two of that place, when the water was
found to be too deep to progress any further,
reaching the breast of the negroes, and they were
therefore compelled to return to Aiken
The amount of damage sustained, and whether
there is any considerable loss OF life, OF course yet
remains painfully doubtful
The water is said to have fallen three feet at
Horse Creek Pond, some three miles this side OF
Hamburg, and it may therefore be considered al
most certain, as the rain has ceased falling, that
the river will speedily resume its natural chan
nell and afford an opportunity to the distressed
inhabitants of Hamburg to extricate themselves
from their perilous situation, and gather up then
property, whatever the destroying element may
have spared
/ We hope to hear full particulars by this after
noon's mail tits reported, that three bodies, one
white and two black, have been found drowned
but we do not give this as positive.
Below will be fonnd letter from our Cores
pondent at Columbia, also two short extrach
of letters from other sources, showing that grea'
injury will be sustained in that quarter by th'
freshet.
COLUMBIA, MAY %, 1846.
To the Editors OF the C01Eaef:-
GENTLEMEN--For the last three days we haSsS
had for most of the time,a heavy steady rain, and
from appearances, the windows of Heaven, in tn, +
upper District, must have been opened. Yester
day morning, the Congaree began to rise, an
continued, through the day, averaging about two
feet an hour. During the night, it continued
am alarming extent. This morning, the higl
banks were overlooked. Cotton, which wa.
slowed on high ground, floating down tn,
canal The Congaree, Broad and Saluda bridge
yet stand, and hopes are entertained they will b
saved. On the Saluda, the water is up TO th
wood work of the bridge-thc Congaree, abou
two feet of the wood work Should the Broat
River Bridge give way, the splendid fabric
the Congaree must go likewise. Such freshe
has not been in our river since 1886
The Columbia Canal of seven miles in length
is supposed to be entirely destroyed, so that tn
last of the internal improvements, in construct
ing canals by the State, is swept away. All tn
large plantations below us, are covered with wa
ter, and the crops ruined. Col. Hampton's larg
plantation, which is the highest of any on tn
river, is one sheet of water, the destruction mus
be immense. While / am writing, two O'Clock
P. M, the water is still rising, yet slowly. Hall
past three o'clock, the water is about stationary
1t is now to be hoped the bridges are safe. Hi
gaboak Causeway is overAowed so that the stag
ean1 go this day. The mail leaves here o
horse back, and is obliged to go around nea
Plates Springs, to avoid high water Mail clf
ses at four o'clock. Respectfully yours.
COLUMBIA, MAY %.
The River at Columbia Bridge is feet highe &
than it has ever before been. All the War
House IS and wharves are ovcrfowed, and muc
Cotton ahoat.
COLUMBIA, MAY 6.
The River is up within one foot and half
the Bridge, and considerable damage done t
Cotton in the Ware Houses and at the Canal, an
number of small boats lost It Is said by man
that the river has never been known so high
now.