, 1861-12-13

bridging. The escort will not return to
Walla W'alla this winter, but may go to
st. Louis in early spring via Fort Benton.
The command were in excellent health,
and CONTEXT with their mountain home.
The Flatheads and Pen d'Oreilles were
friendly and well-disposed-glad to see the
party again among them.
Letter from Portland---Particulars of the
Flood.
PORTLAND; Dec. 9th, 1861
MEssRs. EDITORS: We were very much sur
prised few days ago, to find the Willamette
river rising quite rapidly-stil no fears were ex-
pressed though it was quite unusual for such rise
at this time; but the river went up and up, until
it was higher than ever before known-at least so
says that mythical parsonage, called the ''oldest
inhabitant." The highest water was on Thurs
day. Dec. 9TH, about noon, when the water did
not lack more than three inches of being over
Front Street, by the Pioneer Hotel. 1t was up
through the sewer on the west side of the street,
and would have been over the street in several
places were it not for filling in of dirt, which was
done few years back
The damage done here is slight, compared to
what it is on the upper Willamette. The wharf
being built by Messrs Masters & Hull was washed
away. That of the Oregon Steam Navigation
Company, the piles only were driven, was cleared
out also Coffin's wharf was also "used up"
There were fears expressed that the other wharves
would depart for parts unknown; but they CON
cluded to swat a little longer" Large quantities
of flour of various brands passed by, and good
deal was secured by various parties The flour
was only slightly damaged A passenger by the
Multnomah, from Astoria says that you can see
piles of flour at almost every house, some of them
have over a two years supply
We have had no mails from up the valley, and
no reliable news from farther up than Salem; but
from tnat we learn that the destruction has been
immense At Milwaukee the old saw mill is washed
away, and Torrance's house, or the opposite side
of the river. The "Standard Mills" remain un-
injured. At Oregon City, everything on the island
was swept away; the city mills, Oregon house
andsome stores. Abernethy old brick building
fell in. The water came in the lower part of the
city SO that there was but a small spot in Main
street that was clear. Linn City is gone all but
two buildings. The breskwater, at ":he basin" is
all gone; but the warehouse still remains Many
houses and barns were seen to go over the falls ;
and it is said that lights were burning in some of
them. The steamer Onward was on her way to
Salem about the hight of the rise, and reports
that they took over forty persons off from houses
as they went up. In many cases they would 90
up to house and take the people off, and before
they got out of sight the building was washed
away We have heard that few persons have
been drowned. Many odd stories are aloat about
various things picked up, among others, a run of
burrs fr0Gni the Island Mills came ashore at Thos.
Stephens Just above town, while the mills them
selves went ashore below Oregon City, at Aber-
nethy Creek.
There has been an increase of liquor shops to
accommodate the great number of strangers in
town. Mr.. j. P. Dennison Aas minstrel troupe
performing at the Willamette Theater, which draw
very good houses. The case of the City vs. j. P
O. Lownsdale, commonly known as the levee case,
is now before the United States District Court,
and will be decided next week-so supposed.
This will determine the title of the levee. Col,
Justus Steinberger well known to this coast, and
formerly agent for Adams & Co. in this place, is
expected here on the Cortes, about the 18th inst.
He comes with full power to raise regiment OF
Iufantry in Washington Territory. This regiment
and the one of cavalry, to be raised by COL Cor.
nclius are intended to guard the frontier. All
other troops to be withdrawn. We have nothing
later from the east than that brought by the Pa
cifc-and do not expect anything until the arrival
of the Cortes, owing to the high water This
place will be almost depopuated in the spring
by the Salmon fever PORTLAND
In addition to the above, we are in
formed by private letter from Portland
that there is but one house left in Cham
poeg, and that the town of Orleans, oppo-
site Corvallis, has been swept entirely
away. Nothing definite has been heard
from points above Salem.-EDs.
" We acknowledge the receipt of compliment
tary tickets for the ball given last night by Mrs
Allen and Mrs. ClOugh, and regret that our en-
gagements rendered it impossible for us to attend
Those who were present assure US that it was the
finest party of the season; and we have no doubt
it was for the ladies interested are eminently ca
pable of making an affair of the kind pass off most
agreeably and pleasantly to all in attendance.
~ The mails from the Dalles, for the present
and last week, have not yet arrived at this place
The delay has been an unavoidable one, however
caused by the general high water and the carry
ing away of the Deschuttes bridge. The mails
will probably reach here to-day.
W Our friend Mastin-a right clever fellow.
by the way-has placed us under obligations tc
treasure his memory by presenting the Office {
fine lot of pears and apples. Yesterday was +;
general "treat day " with US fortunately, how
ever, but few called.