The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-10
The Flooded District Being
Covered With System.
RELIEF TO BEGIN TO-DAY
DECLINES OFFER OF
ASSISTANCE.
MISSISSIPPI ACCEPTS The AID
Arkansas and Missouri Not Yet Heard
From--U. S. Officers Have Been
Ordered to Different Sections
of the Great River
of the Great River.

Washington, ID. c., April 9.-The ma
chinery provided by the War Depar-
ment for the relief of the sufferers from
the Mississippi river floods is now in
working order and Secretary Alger said
to-day that by tomorrow morning the
Department would be in q position to
cover the entire flooded district with it's
forces of inspectors. The officers already
detailed to this service have started for
the west and before leaving Washin2ton
they received orders assigning them to
different sections of the great river.
Major Craig, signal corps is ordered 10
proceed to New Orleans to consult with
Major G.. NJ. Derby, the engineer officer
In charge of that section, and then to
proceed to Red river landings, investi-
eating the condition and needs of the
people as he proceeds. His orders ale to
report the results of his Investigations
directly TO Secretary Alger, who will
use it. in conjunction with similar re-
ports from other officers, as a basis for
the distribution of the relief stores. Capt.
Charles III. Clarke, or the ordinance
committee, is ordered to Vicksburg.
there to consult with Mayor J. III. Will
lard, the station engineer, after which
he will also proceed to Red river landings
on tour of investigation. He, like his
brother officers, engaged in this duty, is
instructed to confer fully with all of
the local relief committees on his route.
First Lieut.. A. s. Rowan, 10Th Infantry,
goes to Memphis to confer there with
Capt. Fitch, of the engineers corps.
Thence he starts on n tour of the river
between Helena, Arkansas, and Green
vile, Miss. Maj. Sanger, inspector
general, also goes 10 Memphis, but after
talking over the conditions there with
Capt. Fitch he will take as his route the
river from Memphis to Helena. Capt.
Martin, assistant quartermaster, will go
first to Vicksburg and hear from Maj.
Willard, the engineer officer, stationed
there. His section of the river will ex-
tend from Vicksburg to Greenville.
Second Lieut.. II. NJ. Whitney, Fourth
artillery, takes section No. of the river
from Cairo up. He viii first report to
Capt. Fitch at Memphis. The abate-
ment of the flood on the Red river of the
north has caused the resembling of the
order already issued to another officer
to proceed to that section.
All of the boats Of the lighthouse
establishment on the Mississippi river
have been turned over to the War De-
partment for relief work. So have the
boats Of the Mississippi river commits
sion and Secretary Alger says that if
these are not sufficient he will charter
as many more of the river craft as may
be necessary.
This morning Secretary Alger sent an
Identical telegram to the Governors Of
Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and
Missouri asking them to designate the
points where they desire rations deliy-
cred for distribution and also to name
persons to receive them.
The first response was from Governor
McLaurin. of Mississippi, giving the
names and places as requested.
Governor Foster, of Louisiana, tce-
graphed that his people had no present
need Of the government stores. but re-
turned thanks for the generous offer.
The other States have not yet been
heard from.