New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-06-01

REPoRToRIAL SKETCHES OF THE GREAT
FLOOD OF 1859.


Special to the New Orleans Crescen..l
sDoNALDsoNvILLR, May 20, 1869.
Eds. Crescent.-The same range of bluffs described
in my last existing the eastern side OF the river
from Natchez to Bayou Sara, continues below as far
down as Baton Rouge, protecting the country that
side from overflow. The projecting points, formed
by the bends of the river, perhaps more numerous
below than above Bayou Sara, and also greater in
area but like the upper points, subject to
flow that they are not often planted until after the
"June" rise, but used as spring stock ranges. The
river bottoms, therefore, in this section have this
year the appearance of being badly inundated while
no actual damage is sustained to the crops.
Below Baton Rouge down to this point, and indeed
for the entire length of the scoast, with the excep
ton of those at the Boune Care Crevasse the lands
on the easterly side of the river are high and dry
and the levees in perfect condition The sugar crop
never presented more forward appearance nor the
crops generally look finer Vegetation, in all its
wonted verdure and luxuriance, has, apparently,
locked hands with the art of the husbanman to pre-
sent to the eye of the traveller he finds himself in
the very center of the garden district of louisiana
a most pleasing contrast to the low and flooded dis
trcts above. Every spot susceptible of cultivation
seems transformed into second Eden Of beauty con-
tanning specimens of all those and choice plants,
fruits and flowers, which flourish only in tropical
cmes. At the present stage of water the view from
the esplanade is most beautiful, commanding as it
does great extent of the coast, with its splendid
mansions in every style Of architecture the richly
cultivated fields and extensive view of the east.
On the opposite or westerly side, from the mouth
of Red river down to Thomas Point, about thirteen
miles above Baton Rouge, the levees are also
broken In few places the siepage water has found
its way through the eVees, OVERLOOKING considerable
districts and doing the crops or less damage in
the parish Of West Feciana. Between four and five
thousand acres are supposed to be rendered unpro-
ductive this year by this agency.
A short distance above Thomas Point is the m uch
talked Of break known the "Lobdell's Store Gre.
vasse." 1t is situated about three and half miles
above the store, however, and on the plantation Of
MIR. Jno. l.. Lobdel in the parish Of West Baton
Rouge. The damage sustained by means Of this Gre
vase has been greatly overestimated.
The first break in the levee at this point occurred
on the 28th of April and deael all attempts to close
it, until the 18th of the present month"; when it
stopped. The waters, however, had scarcely time to
fall an inch or so before the neighborhood Con the
evening of the l5th) again aroused by the roar
ing Of the waters and, rushing to the scene of their
late struggle with the element, they discovered, to
their horror, that the levee had again given way
about one hundred yards above the old crevasse. No
attemps have, or will be made, to close this last
break the is too far advanced to allow of
the working of the overnowed lands. The present
break is about three hundred feet in width, and
about ten feet in depth.
The entire loss, in the way Of crops by these ere.
vases, will not exceed $500 hhds. of sugar, not.
withstanding have seen it estimated in several
| newspaper paragraphs at upwards of million of
dollars.
Although both breaks have occurred on the planta.
tion of Mr.. John L. Lobdell, which contains about
eight hundred acres under cultivation, he has only
about one hundred and fifty acres under water
The brother of this gentleman, DR.. Lobdell, has
plantation adjoining. The doctor works about
twenty hands. This plantation is wholly inundated.
| Mrs. VIM. Clark has about two hundred and fifty
acres in sugarcane, nearly two.thirds of which are
| under water.
| The plantation of DR.. Lisle better known as the
smithfed Estate, is the next adjoining DR.. L., and
usually makes about thousand hogsheads of sugar
per annum. He is now about one.hilf under water.
| Mr.. James Duvall comes next below. Mr.. d. has
plantation of two hundred acres in cane, and has
| nearly one half Of his place under water.
| The plantation OF Mr. A. G. Wood Na.e Mrs.
Carks) adioins the last. This plantation usually
|
| place is one-third inundated.
The plantation of Mr.. John Butler adjoining on the
south, made seven hundred hogsheads last season.
About hundred and fifty of this place is now
under water. The balance of this plantation is pro-
tected by a high ridge and side levee.
Three or four small planters on Grand Bayou, en-
gagged in raising cotton, are also overhowed from
these breaks.
From this point down, the levees remain in good
condition. At several places, the levee has mani
tested its inclination to succumb, but few shovel
fus of dirt, promptly applied, has stimulated it to
hold its own.
The river all along the coast is apparently, within
a few inches of the top of the levees, and, on an
average, about six feet above the level of the ada.
cent country. Should another rise of foot come
along down from above, while the river is at its pre-
sent height it is impossible to calculate the amount
Of damage which would necessarily ensue. But,
although possible, such contingency is, think, by
no means probable.
| With the single exception of the Tensas, all the
upper tributaries reported falling while the
cent rise in the Upper Mississippi and Missouri does
not appear to have been felt below Cairo.
| UBIQUITOUS.
ARAc1NG scENE.-In the contest for the Dee stakes