Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-28
Essex, Vt, March T., 1862.
EouRrH FLoopIN sACRAMENro.
BY REV. }. T. rEcK.

BY REV. }. T. rECK.
One month has passed since the fearful food Of
which gave you an inadequate description few
days since. II has been a month Of suffering and
Of erertion unparalleled in the course Of my OBJ
se-yation Twice in the time the water has COW
cred more than two-thirds Of the city, rising in
the houses from to feet, driving the people out
Of all ouestory houses, and into upper stories or
higher parts Of the city. The second food came
after dark. 1t was announced by alarm bells,
which threw the people into the utmost constern-
alton. Tho street lamps gave no light. Men,
women and children rushed into the streets TO
tread upon the up-torn side walks or plunge into
mud or water. Hundreds found their way TO the
pavilion. and many. with lanterns dimly glimmer-
ing in the thick darkness, groped their way to-
ward the on-coming food to ascertain, if possible
the extent Of the danger. In the good providence
Of God parts Of two or three streets left for
man and beast to stand upon, and the morning
brought relief from the underlined terror Of the
night again, as the waters slowly retired, the
good people began TO restore order in their almost
ruined homes
Scarcely IS hours had passed, however, when
the third food came on, higher and more destruct-
i've than the second. The suferings of the people
beggar description. Hundreds crowded the river
boats and escaped for their lives. But the great
majority remained to renew the struggle. The
business portion of the city had not been submerg
ed in the foods ard the indomitable will of the
Sacramentans rose above the power Of the disaster.
At length the waters fell so that could reach
my dwelling. 1 gathered up few necessary ar
ticles removed them to two small rooms in brick
| block over 4 store, and calling home my family
| from the bay, we prepared well We could for
| future contingencies.
The Legislature assembled on Monday, the 9Th
| Of January. Saturday night previous another
storm began. The clouds lowered and the torrent.
| fell with almost no interruption, for days and
nights Friday morning the waters rose and NOV
ed slowly over the upper portions Of the city. Then
began that CONSERVATION, that wild rushing TO and
fro, that struggle for the life Of men and beasts
which no man who has onco seen can ever forget
| and which no language can describe.
| The Governor was to be inaugurated lie moved
from his house in a boat, landed at the door of my
church, and returned to accompany my wife tC
capitol.
The waters were too high on the direct route
| We took another, and despite the storm and food
felt some satisfaction in seeing noble patriotic
Republican ascend to the Chair Of State.
Not q moment too quick in returning TO oul
upper story home. The water is rolling down J St.
| the hi ighest in the city. Our sidewalk is high
| but the food covers It. Now the struggle 10 saw
| property and life is painful, but heroic in th'
highest degree. Goods thrown from the lowe
! TO the higher shelves but they must 90 higher
! Brave men are leading and swimming noble ami
mails for some higher point. Helpless women an'
children are reached by the boats, while boatmer
and boats from the tops Of houses shout to eael
other, making more irightful the roar of rushinl
waters. The steady rise exceeds the highest mari
Of the first great food, and still it goes up. Alas
what a dismal night, Families escaped from
drowning in their own houses crowd our uppe
halls and room. Piles Of splendid goods. millinery
clothing and furniture, some dripping with water
are thrown on the foor and exhausted men an
women come to our humble table for u little re
freshment. How great the benefit Of our snr
cooking-stoye and furniture, How kind tn
providence which secured a small supply of foo
before the foodi
The scenes OF horror which have witneSse
within the last four days defy description. Crack
ing, falling, floating houses; business men RUNE
in an hour; strong men struggling for life in th
current Of our Streets many Of all ages and bot
sexes eliuging TO houses and food wood, shriekin
in despair, and some sinking in death; and th
food still risingi Alas for our poor city Ou
churches are partly submerged, our people seal
tered, our support gone, and our city and countr
for hundreds Of miles around, one scene of desola
tion