The true Democrat., 1856-08-26

Last Island Is the most westerly of chain of islands extending from the mouth of the Mis- sissippi, few miles from the main land. Itis about seventy five miles from New Orleans on an air line. It lies IS or 20 miles in the Gulf, east of the Capes of Atchafalaya, and five or six miles from the nearest shore. It was sand bank, covered with a very scanty vegetation.- ing and picnic parties, and recently has been a lavorite resort for summer residences on account of the cooling breeze from the Gulf
 We find a letter from Mir. Dupericr, in the Picayunc of the l6th inst, detailing the terrible catastrophe, which we transfer to our columns
 Bayou Be4f Aug. 14, 1856.
 DEAR PIc.-You may have heard ere this reaches you of the dreadful catastrophe which happened on Last Island on Sunday, the 10th inst. As one of the sufferers 1t becomes my duty to chronicle one of the most melancholy events which have ever occurred On Sunday night, the 9th inst. a heavy northeast wind prevailed, which excited the fears of storm i'll the minds of many; the wind increased gra- dually until about 10 o'clock on Sunday morn. ing, when there existed no longer any doubt that we were threatened with imminent danger. From that time the wind blew a perfect hurri- cane; every building upon the island giving way one after another, until nothing remained. Al ths moment, every one sought the most ele- vated point on the island, exerting themselves at the same time to avoid the fragments of the buildings, which were scattered in every direc tion by the wind. Many persons were wound ed; some mortally. The water at this time (about o'clock P. M.) commenced rising so rapidly from the bay side, that there could be no longer any doubt that the island would be submerged. The scene at this moment forbids description. Men, women, and children were seen running in every direction, in search of some means of salvation. The violence of the wind, together with the rain, which fell like hail, and the sand which blinded their eyes, prevented many from reaching the objects they had aimed at.
 At about o'clock the Bay and Gulf currents met and the sea washed over the whole island. Those who were so fortunate as to find some object to cling to- were seen floating in all dHec- tons. Many of them, however, were separat- ed from the straw to which they cung for life, and launched into eternity; others were washed away by the rapid current and drowned before they could reach their point of destination- Many were drowned from being stunned by scattered fragments of the buildings, which had been blown asunder by the storm; many others were crushed by floating timbers and logs, which were removed from the beach, and met them on their journey. To attempt a description of this sad event would be useless No words could depict the awful scence which occurred on the ight between the 1lth and 12th inst It was not until the next morning, the 18th, | that we could ascertain the extent of the dis aster. Upon my return, having drifted for about twenty hours, found the steamer Star, which had arrived the day before, and was ly- ing at anchor, perfect wreck, nothing but her hull and boilers, and portion of her machinery remaining. Upon this wreck the lives of a large number were saved. Towards her each one directed his path as he was recovered from the deep, and was welcomed with tears by his fellow sufferers, who had been so fortunate as to escape. The scene was heart-rending; the good fortune of many poorindividual in being saved, was blighted by the news of the loss of a father brother, sister, wife or some near rela- tive. will not prolons the detail of this un- paralleled catastrophe, but will give you the list, as correctly as 1 could obtain 1t, of those who were lost:
 Dr. Batey, lady, four children and two ser wants; A. M. Foley, lady and two servants; Ad- rlen Frere, lady and son; Gabrlel Grevemberg, Gaspard Ratier Thos. Mile, lady and three ser wants; Homer Mile, lady and child; Michel Schelatre, lady, seven children and six servants; John Muggah, wife, two children, and five ser wants; James Muggah and son, John Barlaffey Mrs B. A. Prewtt and two servants; Ida Ma gill, Augustus Magll, Mrs. Crozier and three servants, Mrs. Bords and servant, H. Landry and three servants, Michel Landry, Joseph Du- gas,.. Ulysse Simoneau, Joe, (waiter,) servant of Mrs. Trousdale, c. A. Barileau, child and servant of w. w. Pugh, Jean Ayet Wm. Ro- ]. chelle, Achille Hebert wife, child and servant
 Bayou Goula; Mrs. T. Landry, two children
 servants: Mrs. A. Comeau, five child 4sy four servants; S. II. Prewitt, jr. Mrs. D RedN slaughter and servant; MT. Turner lady servant; MT. Reed, wife, child and two servants; Mrs. Flash and child; sister of Nus Flash, and child; Mrs. Thos. Maskell, three children and one servant; MT. Midnight: twf