The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-10-26
SKETCH OF OUACHITA
I'M 1796.
BY JEAN FILHIOL.

I'M 1896
BY JEAN FILHIOL.
IDon Juan, or Jean Filhiol, was Captain
in the Spanish army, and Commandante OF
the Post of ouachita, and stationed at Fcrt
cession to the United States In 1908.
His grandson, Mr.. Hypolite Filhiol,
prominent citizen OF Monroe, Ouachita par
staunch old Commandante. Many Of the
old Commentaries great grandchildren
live in the same parish]
Ouschita is region Of country in
the province of Louisiana, situated
west Of the ST. Louis river, aud extend
ing in length from Sl30 TO s6s north
latitude. It's width 4s II little over
thirty leagues.
All traces which are discovered
daily, every v here, show that the peo>
pie who formerly Inhabited it, must
have been very numerous. No one
knows what has become @! them, for
the Oldest persons in the place cannot
remember having seen one uf them,
and II the chiefs Of some Of the nations
had not affirmed that they saw five or
six bearing the name Of Oaachitas,
with the Panis and the Chits, il would
be doubted that people of that name
had existed. Some French having
settled there, before the massacre OF
the Natchez, doubtless abandoned the
place at that period. The pratries
Vilmont, Dumanoir, Dele and Ds
Siard still retain the names of their
ancient owners, and the remains OF
these settlements can yet be ssen.
Owing TO its extent, this region can
not be other than varied, both In cli-
mate and In soil. / have drawn up a
sort OF chart, which will add to this,
to give an idea of the position Of the
place, and l will follow il, in order to
give more exact description, com.
mencing with that portion most adja-
cent to the capital.
This region is watered by a river OF
the same name which flows through
the centre from one eud to the other,
after having received the waters OF
many bpyous in its course. 1t empties
into Red River, about nine leagues
from the junction of that river with
the st. Louis (Mississippi) River.
The lowest part Of the Ouachita
River, from the point where the Tens
ca and the Cataoulou join 1t until it
empties into Red River, distance OF
about twenty-five leagues, is called
Black River. do not know why
this short space bears another name.
I presume that it is owing 10 tho color
given to the water by lis muddy,
grassy bottom and lis depth. That OF
Red River is reddish, aud tha! Of the
Ouachita, which flows over white sand
is most clear. There are very slight
foundations for the origion OF most OF
the names.
All this portion is uninhabitable, in
the east 30 far as the ST. Louis river,
and in the west so far as the vicinity
OF the Catsouion becaase it is ali
ove,fowed when the river rises and
one could scarcely find enough land on
which to encamp. The river Is else-
whers healthy aud without obstruction
and, at all seasons, deep enough Tor a
vessel of 400 tons 10 sail In 1t. Its
banks abound in cane. When the
water does not rise until the end OF
winter it is there that the neighboring
savases make the greater part of their
bears oil. The Bayou Tensca empties
into the OuRchita river on the eastern
coast, where Black river commences TO
take its name. This bayou rises in
some lakes, about fifty leagues higher.
On the right side of this bayou, about
twelve leagues toward the east north
east, we find tho bayou d'Argent,
through which, following the same
points Of the compass, one would
reach the main Isl. LOUSY river, lit
tie above and in sight OF Natchtz.
Three leagues higher than the point
where the Bayou d'Argeut empties
into the Tepsca, on the left side We find
the Bayou Mason, which empties there
also. This bayou rises in some lakes
about twelve or fifteen Leagues below
Arkansas and follows the course of the
Tensca until they unite. These two
bayous are not navigable except during
high water. They seem TO receive
their waters from the (St. LOUSY river,
which connects with them though the
lakes. During low water one can use
a small pirogue as far as the mouth Of
the Bayou d'Argent, but, from there
until opposite Natchez, II is necessary
to take carriage. The banks Of
Bayou Tensca, like those east Of Bayou
Mason, are low and scarcely habita-
BILE. West of this bayou there is some
land, which is very tine, though iso-
lated. 1t is near the junction Of Bayou
Mason with Bayou Tensca and ex-
tends to the Bayou des Courrois. l
will speak OF it in its place. To the