The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-26
w.RTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED.

Files of the Chattanooga Union says the
CINCINNATI Gazstts have at length found
their way to this section, and from them we
collect the following account of the raVages
of the flood in that unfortunate city:
BEGINNING OF THE CALAMITY.
From the Union of Thursday, 18th.
Commencing at an early hour on Sunday
morning. with scarcely an intermission until
the present writing, the rain has come down
in torrents Every little run is a roaring tor
rent Willie the creeks have become rivers,
and the Tennessee river is worthy of being
styled huge lake.
The river has been rising for the last
twentv-four hours at the rate of Il foot an
hour and is still increasing. The waters come
booming along, bearing on the angry crests
of the surging waves, hugh RATS, dritt-wood,
fish-bexes, cabins, hen-coops and every
movable thing which had accumulated
along the banks of the Tennessee and its
tributaries.
After dark several cabins were reported to
have been seen floating down the river and
faint cries rs of persons in distress were heard
by people in the vicinity OF the river, but the
darkness and the fearful storm prevailing
prevented any assistance from being afforded
to the sufferers.
HOUSE AFLoAT.
From the Union, Friday, Sth.
Log cabins and small frame buildings, to
the number of at least twenty five, went down
the river during the day. There were no oc-
cupants in any of them so far as could be
discovered.
PEOPLE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES.
From the Union, Saturday, 9th.
Time and space would fail us were we to
attempt to give IN accurate description of
the unprecedented freShet in the Tennessee
which still continues. The waters have al
ready passed the highest mark of any pre-
vious Hood of which the oldest inhabitant
has any recollection.
The people in the surrounding country
have been obliged to take to the hills and
knobs near their homes. Many of them have
no means of escaping from the raging floods,
and unless rescued by some more fortunate
neighbor, we fear some of them will perish.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
As an illustration OF the suffering which is
prevailing, we heard of an instance where
woman in child-bed was rescued from her
house when the water was within few
inches of overlooking her bed Scows were
manned, and were propelled yesterday all
over the submerged portions of the city, res
cung the families who had been unable to
escape from their homes. People were seen
standing upon the roofs of houses, waving
their handkerchiefs and calling for help.
WASTE OF WATERS.
From the Union, Sunday 10th.
We have TO heart this morning to dwell
at length upon the terrible calamity which
has betallcn the citizens of Chattanooga and
surrounding country. For miles and miles
the land is hidden, only q few of the higher
points of hills being above the water. In
Chattanooga tonight, Saturday, March 9,
1857, there is from four to eight feet of water
on all the streets. The losses of our mer-
chants, business men and citizens cannot be
estimated, and we fear the injury to the flu
ture prospects of the place can never be esti-
mated. Such flood has never been known
Or heard of by any one in this section.
MANY INCIDENTS
A number of the lady boarders at the
CrutchGeld House moved yesterday afternoon
and took up their abode in the camp of the
25th Infantry. on Seminary Hill. The otIi-
GERS gaiiantiy Vacated their quarters for their
use.
Many persons who were compelled to move
at the first uprising of the waters, selected
places for a temporary habitation that they
believed were safe, and free from any further
inroads of the element; but many of them
have been compelled to move a second and
even a third time.
Residents in the suburbs were forced. on
Friday night to take to the roofs of their
houses, in numerous instances, and remain
there until taken off by boats the next morn
ing. Frequent capsizes of boats took place,
and the occupants were only rescued from
their perilous positions after great difficulty.
The clerks in the postoffice moved out the
mail matter to the extent of forty large bags
during the day, the water being nearly four
feet deep in the office at the time of leaving.
On the bank below Cameron Hill, scarcely
anything can be seen Of the numerous build
ings which stood there on Monday last
Nearly everything has been swept away. At
least one hundred buildings have gone from
that part of the town alone.
Mr. Parham, one of our well-known citi-
Zens, was instrumental in rescuing over a
hundred people living in the country, be-
yond Fort Wood, and taking them to the
high ground
From the Union. Tuesday 18th.
THE FLOOD AT ITS HEIGHT.
The waters continued to rise during Sat
urday night and Sunday. On Sunday night
they rose seven inches between nightfall and
daylight. During Monday morning they
were on a stand, and about noon they began
to fail. From that time till about - o'clock
at night they fell five inches.
The water extends across the city from
Cherry street on the east to Pine street on the
west. a distance of nearly half mile The
only parts of the city out of water are the
hill on the east side, running north and
south from the river to the stone fort, be-
You'd the Georgia depot, and the high
grounds known as Cameron Hill and Semi
nary Hill
MORE DETAILS.
Large barges and scows, fiat boats and
trading boats, foated up Market Street and
around Ninth past the Crutchfield House,
out Chestnut street, past the remains of SUIT
lertown, around Seminary Hill and in fact
everywhere.
1t is stated that the back water extends
up Lookout valley to distance of forty
miles.
Hundreds of people came in from Mission
ridge and Lookout mountain during yes
terClay, to endeavor to get something to eat
The steamer Cherokee her trip down
the river, steamed across the country three
miles to the town of Washington, county
scat of Rhea county, forty miles from here.
Her officers took every man, woman and
Child who remained in town on board, and
after giving them an excursion around the
suburbs of their town, took them back again.
Three one story frame buildings, one of
Them with brick chimney standing through