New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-05-09
Nfh Orleans 9aiIu Crescent.
REPoRToRlAL SKETCHES OF THE GREAT
FLOOD OF 1852
Special to the New Orleans Crescent
MI N B z B l..


Special TO the New Orleans Crescent.
NUMBER 1.
Tuesday Night My s. is0s !
Editors Crescent: In pursuance to your instruc-
tons your reporter "packed up" and making the
necessary preparations for general tour Of inspec
ton of the " old paternal river" left New Orleans
last evening board the steamer CAPITOL and is thus
far safely advanced on his way to Memphis, from
which point he will, at your suggestion, begin his
labors, and descending from point to point endeavor
to give you accurate and tangible sketches Of the
disastrous effects of the present reign of the Flood
King. shall give you from day to day all and any
information which may contribute to the formation Of
basis upon which speculative calculation may rest in
estimating the practical part of the commercial pro-
blem-what proportion of the cotton and sugar crops
of 1859 will the bottom lands of the Mississippi con-
tribute!
In the accomplishment of this task shall have no
to draw upon fancy, to indulge in exaggera-
ton to present picture Of an aarmingly interesting
character. The facts in the premises too fearful
and actual figures by far too high TO receive general
credence.
Truly, the half has never been told" The citi.
zens of New Orleans have but an inadequate concep-
ton of the present state Of things and along the
river. The speed with which we have traveled-hav.
ing made but moments stop at three or four land
ngs-has prohibited me from obtaining full details
could wish to give you in this letter. in regard to
the damage sustained between New Orleans and
vicksburg. These / shall obtain on my return
though, ignoring particulars, if what have seen and
heard to-day in regard to the condition Of the planta
tons adjoining the river, may be taken as criterion
of the loss to in the destruction to crops
alone, millions can only estimate it, But as we pro
coed upwards the prospect darkens, and am told
that as yet have seen comparatively nothing.
From Baton Rouge to this point the river sswollen
to such extent that further Average rise of six
inches would inundate fully twothirds Of the bottom
lands adjoining the river The crevasses which have
occurred below this point have done less damage, in
reality, than has been and is still occasoned by the
overflow Of the low embankments. We to-day pass
ed scores of plantations which were completely food
ed, while their levees were sound and unyielding.
Many large places also rendered wholly in part
unproductve this season by seipage water, particu
ary if they are deficient in drainage The creyasse
just below New Carthage mandates the plantation
of Mr.. Joshua James. This place contains about
twelve hundred under cultivation. Mr.. J. made
full crop last season. This season he will make
nothing.
Adjoining this is the Calcoe estate containing 600
under cultivation. Made full crop last year
this year will make nothing. Next comes the three
plantations of Mr.. John Perkins, Jr.-about 5000
acres under cultivation Made 1000 bales last year
is entirely under water.
About twelve miles below Grand Gulf in Claiborne
county, Miss Mrs Evans has 800 acres under water;
was partially overlooked last year, but made about
ole half a crop. This season she will make nothing
Above, next comes the plantation of Mr.. G. D.
Hamilton, completely covered Mr.. Hamilton cult
Yates about 500 acres, which all covered last
year, causing him to lose two crops consecutivey
The next is the plantation of Mr. H. NJ. Coffey, 800
acres under cultivation; made about half crop last
season, this year he will make nothing.
Adjoining the last are the plantations of Messrs. c
A. Phearson 1900 acres, j. B. Thrasher, 1900 acres
and r. Ballard, 1900 acres, all of whom made about
half average crop last season. but will not work
acre this
About fifteen miles above Grand Gulf, Warren
county, Miss, is the Woods plantation, contain NJ
1000 acres under cultivation; made full crop las
year. but will not made bale this season.
Adjoining is the large plantation of Mr.. JOSEPH
Davis $500 acres all under water; made about l50(
bales last year.
The place Of the Hon. jeff Davis adjoins the las
and contains about 700 acres all under water; wa
dry last year.
The Palmyra plantation is the next; contains 150t
acres; made full crop last season; all under now.
Isseqnena county, Miss, salmost entirely inundated
scarcelya thousand will be productive season.
The plantation of Mr.. E. j. Hoover about IS miles
below Natchez l learn, is badly inundated.
have only given the above to allow the reader tc
catch some idea of the extent of the damage done
along the line of days travel. The names I have
given are those only of the few sufferers of whose
situation l was able to CLEAN information throu gt
neighboring planters, who were my felowpassen
gers, and represent but small per centage Of the
| great mass of sufferers. To give succnct count
| of the names of overlooked plantations in either o.
the counties have omitted would if described in The
abbreviated style have above adopted, occupy many
pages.
In regard to the prospects Of decline, or even of
cessation in the present steady rise, can
and until a very great and continued fall in The
upper tributaries takes place, may not hope tina
the uimatum has been reached or the crisis passed
In my next hope to be able to give you fulle
aud more interesting details. While shall prosecute
my inquiries with thoroughness, the demand of th,
public for information makes it necessary that you
reporter should he not only digent, but as nearly
possible
UBIQUITOUS