NP, NOTP 2/8A/1861

From the New Orleans Times Picayune
 
February 8, 1861
 
[Special Correspondence of the Picayune]
Montgomery, Ala., Feb. 4, 1861
   There have been unusually heavy rains, within the last few days, throughout South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and, as a consequence, the creeks and rivers are full, and some of the rivers mark a higher stage of water than has been known for many years. It is unnecessary to state that much damage has been caused. At Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday night, the drain due on the State railroad {Western & Atlantic RR} was twelve hours behind its usual time, and fears were entertained that some of the bridges on that route had been washed away, or otherwise damaged by the angry flood.
   The regular passenger train from West Point {Montgomery & West Point RR}, due here at noon today, when within about three miles of this city, was met with a serious accident to cars and wheels, but no person was injured. The track was broken up for about fifty feet. The luggage and express cars were considerably smashed, disengaged from their trucks, and thrown on their sides, to the slight injury of trunks, smashing of boxes of eggs, the liberation of chickens from their confined coops, and also to the consternation of the many passengers on board. On the train were several delegates. The Hons. A. H. Stephens, Robert Toombs, James Chestnut, T. J. Withers, Thomas R. Cobb and perhaps others, whose names I did not learn, all escaped unhurt, but all were more or less excited, and consequently not entirely "insensible to fear."
   There are not, so far as I can learn, more than twenty of the delegates now present. *****
   The streets here are in a loblolly condition, and the Alabama river is up higher than for many years.
   *****
   It is near the hour the convention meets, and I must close.
W. H. P.

Home