The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-06
Desperate Fight at Baton Rouge

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 Baton Rouge, La. May 5.-The fight D hold the levees against the increas- hg river stages became more desperato to ere this afternoon because oe a heavy hin. The levees are active with gangs f workmen and for miles and miles on 10th sides of the river both white and hack are engaged in piling up sand ags and dirt in weak places. All the hbor for many miles back from the tver has been concentrated on the le- lees.
 The possibility of serious loss of lie h the Atchafalaya territory in the path
 the on-coming Torras flood has roused the army officers here to un- sdal activity There has already been bme loss of life, all negroes In spite. If the warnings of the federal authorl- les and runners sent through the threatened district many refused to have their homes until the water was light in their front yards and in five Instances they were too late. Many ersons are perched on the roofs of heir submerged cabins patiently wait hg to be rescued.
 A fleet of rescue vessels will be karted out tomorrow to join the IA oats already in the Atchafalaya terri bry. The government boat, Major left bday for Batchelor with supplies. Cap bin Logan, in charge of the relief and oscue work, is now being assisted by dditional officers who arrived today ergeants have been sent to Morgan lity, Marksvile, Plaquemine, Port karre, St. Martinsvile, Breaux Bridge, laureauville and Lafayette.
 Captain Bonnet of the Philippine scouts las established headquarters at Opelou- hs. while Lieutenant Weeks is in charge If station at Batchelor.
 Rescue Work Progresses The work of rescue has been going on all lay and the refugees arriving here tell If narrow escapes from drowning. one han waited until the water reached his lard because he thought he had time to let some of his possessions together. Be- bre he could get his clothes together he floor of his house foated away and In this raft he manager to get to a ailroad embankment where he was picked lp. Nearly a thousand refugees have lrrived here and the condition of the hildren and especially the babies is par tcularly distressing because Of the scarci- k of milk. All the Sunday schools were iisnissed today, the children being in- kructed to make thorough canvass for lilS and take it to the supply depots for distribution.
 One mother arrived here with five chill
 
 Iren, the youngest of whl was months Id and wrapped in a vel. She said he did not know where her husband las. He had gone to drive off the live Itock, but the water rose so fast about Ter house that she was forced to flee kith her little ones. She said she had lot seen him since
 Gov. j. Y. Sanders today ordered Ma br Allison owen, in command of the Louisiana troops at Natchez to take the bo Louisiana negro refugees at Natchez, Tut theri on boats and take them to New koads to assist in holding the protection evees in that territory. The governor Irdered that the troops be used to force he negroes to work if necessary. The Louisiana Railroad and Navigation lompany's railroad transfer boat William tdenborn, running between Angola and kaples, was caught by the swift current ', Old river this morning. crashed into he Texas and Pacific bridge pier and
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