Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-06-05
.sJAMEs Mcdowell, Esq.
THE LATE RAINS,

THE LATE RAINS
SAvAxyAH, May 30.-We learn since last that
the late delure Of rain has wrought considerable injury
to some of the planters in bingham and SERVER. One
Planter has his corn, which was high man, two
thirds under water. All the mill dams of which
have heard have been carried away, and one individual
apprehends the loss of his mill The Ogechee is higher
than it has been known for years, the water being up
10 the floor Of Jenckes Bridge All the bridges the
carriage road have been swept away, preventing the
passage of the mail Several of the culverts on the
Railroad within fifty miles of the city have been swept
awav and il will be some days before the damage
the Railroad is repaired, as to allow OF the transmits
sion efthe passengers and freight. What the damage
beyond this distance has been is not definitely known,
as all communication is cut of by the high waters
but we have sufficient information To warrant us IN
saying that the crops of Burke and Jefferson which ten
days since Of the first promise, most material
ly jured.-Ge0rgtaR.
(From the AUGUSTA Chronicle and srn,nur.)
GREAT FREsHET.-On Wednesday night, when our
first notice of the Freshet penned, city III
the most painful state of excitement Already had
considerable portion Of the city been inundated, and
the river continued to rise al fearful rate. To attempt
any description of n calamity awfuy sublime, would
be than van required to be seen, 10 conpre-
bend its vast destructive capacity. About II o'clock,
Wednesday night, the city completely submerged,
and the river continuing To rise The scene was pam
flu! one many families still in their houses ent rely
surrounded by u current to them impossible without
aid and the water making rapid nroads upon them
From this fearful and alarming sltuailon they were
rclevedby boats and huascmcn not, however, III some
instances, until they standing to their necks in
water In this work of NOBLE generous philanthropy
many of our citizens engaged all night; and in
many instances it perllous the streets in many
places would swim the talest horses When the day
dawned, city appeared if standing in the midst OF
vast sea of wafer, which extended far as the eye
could reach from the highest eminence
Boats capable of carrying forty bales Of cotton were
floating through every street in the city with the great
est ease and our beautiful Broad street from two TO
ten feet deep, and in places running with the ra
pidy of mountain torrent, and continued through the
day Yesterday This morning the water III the river
has fallen not to food the city, except in or
two places which yet strong and deep currents.
And the withdrawal Of the water from the other por
tons of the city, makes bare streets, beautiful
and level, which presents scene to the eye which no
language can describe Those only who are acquainted
with the character Of soil can have any conception
of the damage done TO the streets, which in many pla
ces are washed ten fifteen feet deep.
The destruction Of property, both public and private,
has been immense-the upper bridge has been entirely
carried away, and about three four hundred feet OF
the lower one. Our citizens watched throughout the
dav on Wednesday, with almost painful anxiety the
lower bridge and the air rent with shouts as they
saw il withstand shock after shock, from mountains oil
RATS mill and houses bridges dwellings and every
class of tree from the small sapng TO the sturdy oak
Of the forest which had been washed up and was borne
away by the rcssess force Of the torrent full tiedgcd
with the beautiful foliage. But during wednesday night
the bridge gave way. The destruction of private
property also great, many wood buildings have been
entirely swept away and several brick buildings have
been undermined and some have already fallen, but we
cannot now give particulars. The wharves still
covered, and the damage done to them is not known,
but is doubt very great, rs large portions OF them
were seen floating off The cellars were all with very
few exceptions, filled with water, and large amount
Of merchandise is destroyed in them, they filled so
rapidly in instances to afford the occupants no
time TO clear them.
1t is source of gratitude to the Supreme Ruler Of
events that amid all this destruction of property there
has not been, that yet hear any loss of human
life. We shall, in day two, collect all the parcu.
lars and give whatever is of moment to our readers
From our neighboring town Of Hamburg we have had
no communication since "Wednesday evening, and We
fear that their situation has been worse than ours, as
the location Of the town is rather lower.
After the foregoing was penncd IN the morning Tor
our weekly paper we took ride through portion OF
the CITY, to ascertain definitely, the extent OF the
calamity which has befallen city, and the probable
extent Of loss as well to furnish particulars TO our
readers at distance; but returned convinced that
any effort at description could not possibly convey any
adequate idea of the state of the city 1t Will require
days ascertain any just idea o! the extent OF the loss
which the city and individuals have sustained never
have we seen such state of things Our streets, once
the most beautiful and level, are rendered IN many
places impossible even to horsemen, and we believe
there is not street in the city, through which car
rage can pass from one end to the other
Many dwellings have been swept entirely away, and
great many more have been rendered entirely unfit
for use, and must be repaired, and in instances
almost entirely rebuilt before they be fit for
Sc veral brick buildings, of them very handsome
edices have been much injured, and others must be
taken town. Much cotton has hoated out from the
warehouses and carried off, and hundreds of bales
are doubt forever lost both in this city and Ham
burg, the precise quantity we know not, but suppose
that at least one thousand have been lost in the two
places. and there are many who think estimate not
enough.
The loss to The city and individuals IS variousy es,
tmated at from S5OO,OOO to one million Of dollars, and
our opinion is, that the smallest amount w more lah
differently We are well satisfied that any estimate at
This time. however, is entitled 10 but little credit be-
cause i, is nothing but conjecture
Marriages.
Married on the 9th ut by the Rev Mr. hcphal Dr. GE9RGE