The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-18
NTTJNRO.
The Great Tennessee Flood.


CORRECT AcoouIT DY AN EYE wTTNEss-TH1nTY-
We arc indebted, says the Augusta Press to j.
A. S1GNA1Go Esq, late of the Memphis appeal, for
the following interesting particulars OF the recent
disastrous and appalling flood in and around Chat
tanooGa:
On Thursday, the 7th the passenger train on
tho Memphis and Charleston Road stopped at Ste
venson, on account OF the high water IN the creeks
and rivers between that point and Chattanooga.
Taking o construction train, Mr. s. and few
which they walked along the railroad to the
Crutchfeld House, the water, in many places,
being nearly two feet deep on the track. The rain
was pouring down in torrents, and the river was
out OF it's banks and rising rapidly. On Friday
morning the water lad reached tie back OF the
rounded; and in the afternoon our informant not
fancyng it's water privileges, took his departure in
q batteau for the more elevated domlcll OF Mr.
Rollins, formerly Of this city.
This retreat afforded fine point from which to
take observations; and the scene throughout the
city became terribly interesting and exciting.
During the night boats and rafts were plying in
every direction, filled with anxious people escap-
ing from the raging waters; foot by foot the murky
tide oyerspread the lower story Of all the houses
which lie between the hills bordering the city,
anxious faces were peering out like spectres from
the second story windows, and means Of agony
and alright made the long night truly hideous.
Un Saturday morning the water was half way, up
the first story OF the Crutchfeld House, and it
continued to rise until Monday evening, when it
had reached ffty-two feet above low water mark,
and was up to the second floor Of the above hotel.
During all this time every store in tho city was
under water, and the distress for food was gene
raj subject OF apprehension. The opportunity for
plunder was promptly seized by the lawlcss per-
sons about the city, and by Sunday noon hundreds
If boats aud RATS were engaged in tho nefarious
work TO prevent plrnder, and to presesve order,
martial law was declared on Sunday, and by even
ing every boat was seized, and mono were allowed
to run without special permit. special police
was detailed to rreserye order, and rations wero
issued to tho poor by tho Mayor on ono side of tho
river, and by the military on the other.
On Monday morning whlskey shop was opened
with the quality of the water could alleviate their
thirst. This WIS SOON followed by o Yankee notion
shop.
During tho day. large bacon warehouse
owner unknown to our inlorlnant-swung around
and was swept into the river. a small steamer
matlo its appearance Oh Monday.
The most iudicrous, rs well as most touching
scenes, were presented on every hand during these
trying days and terrible nights. Whole families
ON the roofs OF houses, waiting TO be removed to
place OF safety-gay parties OF young people in
| boats sailing about amid the general wreck
and combustion and ruin everywhere.
The Duily Union Office VAS submerged, and for
two OF shrce days no paper was issued.
On Tuesday, O. party OF TOUR, consisting OF MIR.
Signaigo MIR. HigLtOwcr of Alabama, A1r. Jones,
of LaGrange, alld Mr. 4. N. Graves OF lIariettn,
having built rude boat, pulled out tor Missionary
Ridge. When they left, the water had fallen about
foot and hah, but still covered the whole bust
ness prt of tho city to tho depth Of i've to ton feet
After perlous trip, they reached the foot OF the
mountain, walked over the battlo ground OF Mis-
siun Ridge to Rossyille and Chickamauga; and
from thence to Leo l. Gordons Mills. Here they
hired q wagon, Which conveyed them a few miles,
from whence, after some delay at swollen creeks
they reached Ringgold on Wednesday morning
The next day. the trains being suspended on the
road, they proceeded 10 Dalton on foot, having
walked, since leaving Stevenson, about rs miles, in.
Guiding tho several miles Of navigation in the frai
boat in which they left the unfortunate city.
The flood is the most extensive and destructive
ever known, the rlror having reached fifty-twc
fee; above low water mark
Our informant estimates the d.mage at Chatta
nocga uJ inlly $500 &C. Ihc loss along the valley
farms is immense. many plantations being swept
of stock and pror!s.ons, as well as outbuildlngs
| and fences. Large quantities Of corn, in ware
| houses and at river landings, are swept away.
SO far as he could hear, thirty y-seven persons
were drowned in aud around Chattanooga, and thu
amount Of want and :sutfcring is truly heart
| reldiug.