New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-05-13
REPoRToRIAL SKETCHES OF THE GREAT
FLOOD OF 1859.
essly for the Crescent ]

Reported expressly for the Crescent
MEMPHIS, May s, 1859.
Editors Crescent: Since my last, my journal has
been made the recipient Of sundry jottings as borne
by the swiftly revolving wheels Of the good steamer
"Capitol," have followed the serpentne windings
and twistings of the noble but eccentric "old Mssis
SIP" Pretty much the same state of affairs de.
scribed in my communication Of the 4th, as existing
below vcksburg, prevails above, confined, however,
principally to the Mississippi side of the river With
the exception OF one two serious breaks between
Vicksburg and Millikens Bend about 20 miles above
the former, the Arkansas leyees do not appear to
have suffered to any great extent until reach the
vicinity Of Napoleon. The crops along the river look
well and promise good yield.
The river from Vicksburg up to Helena was slowly
recedng as we passed up, but at this point it has
been rising for the past thirtysx hours, while from
above, learn that the river is rising with rapidity
which threatens new danger to the lower country.
The crevasse at Concordia has been closed and
planting has commenced with the hope of making
about half an average crop. The breaks at Kinks
and at Prentiss have been closed and preparations
for planting begun.
leave here this evening for below and shall write
you from point to point giving you details and pa,-
tcars in regard to the different localities affected by
the overflow.
On my way up, have conversed with several Of
the largest and most intelligent planters on the river
and find that general belief exists in their minds
that the loss and damage already sustained by the
food has yet to be greatly augmented by the annual
spring or June" flood. Weakened the levees are,
the impression is that they will give way and sue
cumb to the next serious rise from above and increase
to an alarming extent the area of land already inun
nha p1a ,r,ad lie.
heartened, and many who under water last year
and again this, are in the most serious distress in
financial point of view. Many are heavily indebted
to their merchants for advances made last year. and
without the prospective means to quidate their liza.
bties this-whe their monetary wants are increased
by the necessity repairs to their damaged buildings
fences, levees, etc. Many plantations are offered for
sale and others hitherto free from ncumbrance are in
process of becoming heavily mortgaged for the relief
of their proprietors.
Some idea may be formed of the ertent of country
already under water, when l state that on the Ar
kansas side of the river opposite Island 65 the water
covers the land far back the hills, forty mules
distant On the other or Mississippi side, it is only
at long intervals that dry land may be from this
point down to Vcksburg, while the fortunate owner
of few dry acres is very much in the position of
criminal under sentence of the rope with poor
| chance of escape unless by special dspensation
have just learned that crevasse has occurred
about one mile below Hutchings' Landing, and that
the water has overfowed the surrounding country for
| the distance of one and half miles back to the
bluffs.
The Mayor of this city, in recent message to the
City Council, recommended that they should take
immediate steps to ascertain the average periods of
flood and low water in the Mississippi its depth at
the bar at the Balize and the varying depth of the
| channel to Memphis A good move. More anon.
UBIouITOITs