We learn from a gentleman who has just arrived from the Ouachita country, that the river overflowed its banks, and threatens the lands from Harrisonburg down. As it now is, a huge volume of the Mississippi is pouring down the Tensas River, leaving but little land uncovered, and in a few days every plantation will be covered. The residents of that section are already impoverished from previous losses, and the destruction of this year’s crop, and the loss of their cattle will be a serious blow; indeed, starvation confronts them unless the State will come to their aid. They are forced to flee to the high lands west for protection, where they will have to remain until probably July.
The New Orleans Bulletin, New Orleans, LA, April 7, 1874