New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-05-17
REPoRToRIAL SKETCHES OF THE GREAT
FLOOD OF 1853
Special TO the New Orleans Crescent
GREENsyJyJE Misc Moy12 1osn

Special TO the New Orleans Crescent
GREENsvILLE, Miss, May 10, 1859.
Eds. Crescent: This point is seyentyfiye miles be-
low Napoleon from which place my last was dated
1t is the county seat OF Washington, and although
small is an active little town. Between Napoleon
and Columbia, Arkansas, the western side of tbs
river is but slightly affected by the overflow. The
evees appear perfectly sound, and able to resist a
much greater strain than they heave yet been subject
ed to. The upper part of Desha county is some
what inundated, about l5,0OOac being submerged
of which, however, not over 1000 are under cult
vation.
The average width of the Arkansas bottom from
Napoleon to within 100 miles of the Louisiana line
is about twenty-five miles. Two.thirds of this tract
was overflowed last season. Below Columbia down
to this place, the Arkansas levee is overHowed n,
several points and about 5000 acres of productive
land inundated.
On the Mississippi side find the bottom almost
entirely overfiowed from Prenss down to Island 49,
1t is estimated that 100000 acres are under waite,
in this tract, embracing some of the richest and most
productive plantations in Yazoo county.
On the opposite side the lower portion of Cbicot
county, Arkansas, is completely covered. The large
plantations of Messrs Ringsod and Polk have not an
acre in sight. The break at Mathews Bend is a bad
one and overows the country for several miles back
and below. The Ross plantation, containing about
1000 acres under cultivation is entirely under Judge
Griffin and Col. Fitzpatrick are both under, These
two gentlemen make usually about three thousand
bales The country in the vicinity of Lake Wasl /.
ingt0n is wholly inundated. Harvey Millers mag.
nitcent plantation is badly oyerflowed. The Coz
But and Egg plantations are all two thirds under.
In the region of Deer creek not an acre of dry land is
visible The plantation Of Senator Douglas contain.
ing about 400 acres and that of Mr.. j. Dick Hl are
oVeriiowed. The aggregate number of cotton-yeld.
ing lands in this county (ChicoDiis put down by
those well qualified to judge at 80 900 acres and the
amount OF damage done at one and half millions of
dollars.
At nearly every landing on the river find the
ne'ghporing planters drawn together as if by kind
or sympathetic magnetism, discussing the to them,
allabsorbing topic of the day. The officers of the
shot for papers, and the news" from above or
below in relation to the state of the river while
among themselves, they appear to have resolved
themselves into committees of the whole to provide
the ways and means " Of future protection against
the encroachments Of the river.
Many, find, are losing confidence in the leyee
system OF protection, and advocate the !" Cutoff y
theory. Others believe in leyees, but want more
united action between the several States bordering
on the river, while the majority wish the appoint-
ment OF competent and scientific board OF eng-
neers whose duty it shall be to give more thorough
Investigation to the matter than has yet been given.
The river is rising slowly at this point to-day.
The Arkansas river is also reported as still swelling.
At Helena and Napoleon the Mississippi is also rising
again. UBIQUITOUS.