The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-08-24
A MARVELLOUS FISH STORY.

~ MANN = iSih ~ OioA'
We were shown letter yesterday, says the
Cincinatti Times of Tuesday, by gentleman OF
this city, which he received from friend living
in Louisville, giving description of a monster OF
{ the Snakesspecies, captured near Baton Rouge,
on the 20th ult. We were rather inclined to the
belief that it was ahoaX, but having seen pa
per of the both, which detailed the holehistory
of the expedition, battle and capture, we can see
TO reason to doubt the authenticity OF tile state
ment referred to. 1t is thought that his majesty
come up through some OF the bayous, or numer-
Gus outlets OF the Mississippi i'll that part OF Lou
isana. We give the condensed statement taken
from the letter mentioned above
"fhc Pilot Of the steamboat Placquem'ne,
lower country boat, just before she reached Baton
Rouge, on rounding the point, discovered close
ahead, what lie supposed 10 he floating lree'
and as it was somewhat oggy at the time, seven
o'clock, A. NJ, he rung the bell, and the engine
was instantly stopped. Tie stopping OF the boat
attracted attention., and, as usual, every eye on
deck was directed forward to ascertain the rca-
son, by which time this huge monster ol the deep,
having probably satisfied his curiosity, moved OIL
malesucaly to the opposite shore, IncilnIlIg down
the stream. The sensation produced OH Oh all
laion OF his body, as he passed rapidly through
the wafer, to Judge by my own feelings, ana Tie
counlenances OF those around Inc, was lndescrl-
babIc. The alarm quickly ran through the boat;
although every person OH board was OH the look
out, not more tl.an twenty persons saw him, as
tho ios immediately hd hIrn from our sISht.
Steam was Instantly let On, and in about twen-
ty-tive minutes we reached Baton Rouge. Some
time elapsed before the citizens could believe we
were III earnest but alter while II was remem-
bcred that several negroes, cattle and hogs, had
disappeared within the last lew days, III an un-
accountable and mysterious manner, and that
the negroes had been talking about a big animal
seen in a bayou, which an old native ut Congo
said, was one OF God Alnighty's Spirits, come
to free the negroes, and take thcm back 10 their
country At last, however, company was iortn-
ed TO 70 in search oi this hIdeous monster. Our
,uo boats were soon filled with volunteers from
rI,a steamboat, among whom were two old South
Sea whaerS, vino i!Ncd up liarpouns, and made
tho reUlIIar arrangements Tor Il desperate en-
counter
I,cu,onan, Brooks, ofthc United States Navy,
who was on a visit ~ brother attached TO the
command, occl!pyin@ the U. 5. Arsenal here,
volunteered TO 90, and was unanimously ap-
uoinicd commander of the NpcdIllon-ntteen
men including officers, also put OIL IN Tie Doats,
belonging TO the garrison, ana JoIhcd US. Alter
a row OF about all Eour, We arrived at lie spot
where his snake ship was last seeIl--tle sun mad
dispclIed the fog, and shone out IN unclouded
splcndor About one mile and half below, we
found the monster half upon the bank and the
other half in the water. in a bend where the wa
ter runs exceedingly swift. One oi the garrison
boats in the bow OF which was small cannon or
swivel, went ahead; this gun had been loaded.
with musket bullets, and when the boat approach
ed the dreadful looking creature, man laid hln-
self down in the boat, Tor the purpose OF taking
aim, while another stood ready with a match
which he applied Instantly as Tie word was CIV
en-, and at the report, VIC found that almost, IT
not all the bullets, struck the monster, and cut,
him nearly in two; he fell over, however, into
the river, dragging with him large:calf' AS
we rave way, one malt the mel III each boat ilred
four rounds alternately upon his majesty, when
we were satisfied he vas helpless We their
rowcd up cautiously, and having satisfactorily
ascertaincd that he was dead, made fast to him,
and lowcd him to shore, and IN lew minutes
the steamboat Rosabcl calie along, anu lowed
our prize up 10 town. On measuring him he
was 80 feet 8 inches long, and Elect and hall
in diameter at the thickeSt part; his skin resem-
bles somewhat that OF a young alligator, Dut win
scaes-his mead is more like all alligator than
common snake, and his jaws were fearful and
horrible To behold; there was uounle Paraliel
row OF teeth, as sharp as needles at the po"nt'
and about two inches long. Great was the eH-
citcincnt when we started, but still greater was
the joy at our rclurn every man, woman, child
and negro within five miles, apparently, came 10
the landing to see the MONSTER Preparations
are making 10 stuff the skin and place 1t IN some
OF our museums. must now close, but shall
write again more fully as soon as lrcturn home
From TExAs.-By the, arrival, on Saturday
last otthc schooner Henrietta, Capt. tlurd, from
Galveston, we received some items OF Texas III
tclligence. 1t is stated most positively that Gcl.
Refs, at The head of 1000 MeXcans, has colll-
menced marching towards the borders OF Texas
The country was OH iIIe alert, and the authorl-
ties were adopting energetic measures to repel
the invasion OF tie ironrer, by raising bodies o
citizen soldiers. Two Mt txca!s had ueen taken
prisoners, who had slated i.t the AlcXlcans were
preparing Tor an Invasion, and Santa Ana had
issued orders to take no prisoners.
~ o. Bee, l6th inst.