Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 31

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A feature of the river, which has been often remarked upon, is, that its width is not increased by the absorption of any tributary, however large: thus, at Rock Island, nearly 1,800 miles from its mouth, it is 5,000 feet wide, while at New Orleans, and where it enters the Gulf, swollen By the volumes of the Missouri, Ohio, Ar- kansas, Yazoo and Red rivers, it is dwarfed to 2,470 feet. (Hum- phreys and Abbot.) Jenkins is authority for the following data on the dimensions of the great river: Its breadth from Cairo to Helena, Ark., is over a mile, or from 5,875 feet to 5,282 feet. From Helena, Ark., to the mouth of the Red river, it is less than a mile wide, or from 4,758 feet to 4,030 feet in width. From Red river to Baton Rouge it is 3,260 feet in width, and from Baton Rouge to the head of the Passes, it is a little less than half a mile wide, or from 2.628 feet to 2,605 feet, thus gradually decreasing in width as it flows to the sea.

While the width of the river decreases as we descend the stream, the converse is true in relation to the depth, which decreases as we ascend the stream. The greatest depth is about 117 feet between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and 114 and 1/2 feet between Red River and Baton Rouge.

Red river to Natchez, 101 feet ;

Natchez to Vicksburg. 92 feet ;

Vicksburg to Helena, 84 feet :

Helena to Memphis, 63 feet ; Memphis to Cairo, 72 feet. (ave- rage).

Computations show that while there is considerable variation In the breadth and depth of the river, that is, decreasing in width and increasing in depth as it flows to the sea, the cross section varies but slightly, the average cross section, from Cairo to New

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Orleans, being a little over 200,000 square feet. (A tabulated state- ment of the dimensions of the river, and the volume of its discharge in cubic feet per second, during high and low water, will be found in Jenkins monograph on the Mississippi River, vol. 6, of the Miss. Historical Society Publications.) On the Mississippi front of this State, the river has an average width of 4,712 feet, an average depth of 51.5 feet and an average cross-section of 198,957 square feet, a powerful stream which is difficult to control in times of flood. Moreover, the same authority advances the claim that the great- est force of the flood waters is met with at Helena in the shape of Crowley's ridge, and that they have a tendency to seek an outlet on the opposite shore at Montezuma bend or the Yazoo Pass, which he calls "our weakest point." Here the river is only 27 miles wide, "practically a gorge, and on account of the deflection which the flood-waters receive when striking Crowley's ridge, the strength of the current is thrown against the opposite shore at about the mouth of the Yazoo Pass, and if allowed to have its own way the natural course of the river would be down the Yazoo river where it undoubtedly flowed at one time, between the narrow ridge and the high lands." Moreover, "the discharge is greatest (at Helena), being 1,848,000 cubic feet per second and the oscillation, or differ- ence between high and low water, over 50 feet." As a consequence, the best levee protection is demanded at this point. (See Levees).

The fall of the lower Mississippi is about 32/100 of a foot per mile. From the Gulf to Red river, a distance of 311 miles, the elevation of the low water surface above sea level is only 3 feet, from Red river to Lake Providence, distance 211 miles, the rise is 66.8 feet and from Lake Providence to Memphis, distance 312 miles, rise 111.9 feet.

The course of the river is in a series of curves, from ten to twelve miles in diameter, sweeping around with great uniformity. until it returns to a point very near the one from which it was deflected. The current continually encroaches on the alluvial banks, until finally, during high flood, a crevasse occurs, when nearly the whole volume of water rushes through the newly formed channel, known as a "cut off." The result of this action is seen in numerous cres- cent-shaped or "ox-bow" lakes which owe their origin to this cause. Sandbars accumulate at the mouth of the ancient channels, on which rushes first take root, and subsequently cotton-wood, thus forming lakes, isolated from the river, except in time of flood. This universal tendency of all swift rivers to assume the "serpen- tine" or "S" shape, has been everywhere noted, and is well illus- trated in the lower reaches of the Mississippi, from Cairo to New Orleans. It is nowhere rock-bound in its lower course, and its soft, sandy banks yield readily to the excavating power of the swift current. The main channel, and hence the fastest current, shows the well known displacement toward the outward bank of the curve; its closeness to the bank depending upon the strength of curvature of the particular turn. One of the most perfect mean- ders is at Rowdy Bend, above Greenville, Miss., where the channel

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within a few hundred feet of the bank, or about one-eighth of the width of the stream at that point. As a result of this constant erosion of the banks, when unprotected by revetments, marked changes have taken place in the course of the mighty river. Many now living, have been witnesses to some of these changes. A strik- ing example is seen at Raleigh Landing, about fifteen miles above Vicksburg, Miss., which in twelve years was forced back over a mile. Among less marked examples may be mentioned Rivers, Avalanche, Lee's and Ship Bayou Landings, near Natchez, Miss., all of which have been moved back half a mile or more. Fort Adams, Grand Gulf, St. Joseph, La., are victims of the same pro- cesses. The erosion of one bank is accompanied by filling along the other, so that the width of the river remains fairly constant. As we have seen, the stronger the curve, the greater the displace- ment of the swift current, and the more sluggish the water along the inner bank, and the greater the amount of deposition, resulting finally in a cut-off, when the river cuts through the neck of a lobe or spur, and takes a shorter path. The river ends of the old mean- der become silted up and "ox-bow" lakes are formed. One of the largest cut-off meanders is at Davis's cut-off, Palmyra Lake, just south of Vicksburg. Other examples may be seen at many points along the course of the river. "It has been reported recently that the down valley migration of the curve above Sargent's point, be- low Vicksburg, has allowed the river to cut through the neck and return to its former course, long known as Lake Palmyra. By this change several cotton plantations were practically ruined, Davis Island was restored to the Mississippi mainland, and further growth of the meander below Davis's cut-off was probably stopped." (Bul- letin 36, p. 598, American Geog. Soc.)

It is probable that the Mississippi river has always been within a few miles of its present general location. According to Jenkins, "it may, however, after passing the hills at Memphis, have made its channel down and through Horn Lakes and Horn Lake creek into the Yazoo river. Thence skirting the foot-hills to Walnut Hills, it was deflected by the line of bluffs in a southwesterly direc- tion to the 31st parallel, where it swept around to the southeast, if it did not find a shorter route to the sea by the way of the Atchafal- aya, or even empty its muddy waters into the Gulf of Mexico at that point : for the Mississippi river from its present mouth to the mouth of the Red river, is an estuary. or arm, of the sea."

The area of the delta, assuming that it begins where the river sends off its first branch to the sea-viz., at the head of Bayou Atchafalaya-is estimated at 12,300 square miles. This would be at the mouth of Red river, latitude 31 degrees, while the mouth of the Great River is now in latitude 29 degrees; thus extending through two degrees of space. (The Mississippi Valley, Foster.) The same authority computes the age of the delta at 4.400 years, on the assumption that the river advances into the Gulf at the rate of 262 feet per annum-the distance from its present mouth to its supposed original mouth being given as 220 miles. The same emi-

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nent geologist estimates that the Mississippi must have been a delta- forming river at an earlier period, as is evidenced by the Loess for- mation which occurs along its banks, and which, at Natchez, attains a thickness of sixty feet.

The amount of sediment held in suspension by the river is enor- mous, and as determined by numerous experiments, is, by weight nearly as 1 to 1.500 ; and by bulk, nearly as 1 to 2.900. The mean annual discharge of water is assumed at 19,500,000,000,000 cubic feet; hence it follows that 812,500,000,000 pounds of sedimentary matter-equal to one square mile of deposit, 241 feet in depth- are yearly transported, in a state of suspension, into the Gulf. (Humphreys and Abbot, "Physics of the Mississippi.")

Mississippi Sound, Naval Engagements, 1814. Commodore Dan- iel T. Patterson had been in command, from near the beginning of the war, of what there was of the United States navy on the New Orleans station. The insignificance of the naval force anywhere was the main cause of the humiliation of America. In 1812 there had been begun the building of a flat-bottomed frigate, or gunboat, in Lake Pontchartrain, to carry forty-two cannon, but the con- struction had been suspended, despite the protests of Patterson and Claiborne. Patterson had a few' gunboats when the time of need ar- rived, a mere shadow of naval strength compared to the British arm- ament. A letter was sent him from Pensacola, December 5, announc- ing the arrival there of a British fleet of sixty sail, men of war and transports of an army for the capture of New Orleans. Gen. Jackson was already in the city beginning his preparations for defense. Patterson, for his part, did what he could to thwart or at least watch the hostile movements. He sent five gunboats, a tender and despatch boat, toward "the passes Mariana and Christiana," under the command of Thomas Catesby Jones, with orders to make a last stand at the Rigolets and sink the enemy or be sunk. Lieu- tenant Jones detached two gunboats, under Mckeever and Ulrick. to go as far as Dauphine island, where they espied one or more of the British advance scouts, the Seahorse, Armide and Sophie. Vice Admiral Cochrane, commanding the British expedition, re- ported (from the Armide, off Cat island, Dec. 15) that the two gun- boats fired upon the Armide. But they could not have sustained an action, and turned about and joined the other three gunboats off Biloxi. As Cochrane intended to anchor at Isle au Vaisseau (Ship Island), and send the troops in small boats to land at the Bayone Catalan (or des Pecheurs) at the head of Lake Borgne, "it became impossible." he said, "that any movement of the troops could take place till this formidable flotilla was either captured or destroyed." Rear-admiral Malcolm came up, with the fleet, on the 11th, and anchored between Cat and Ship islands, and Jones retired to pass Mariana, and next day, off Bay St. Louis, obeying orders to avoid being cut off from the Rigolets. Cochrane. on the 12th, put "the launches, barges and pinnaces of the squadron," under the command of Captain Lockyer, of the Sophie, aided by Captains Montressor and Roberts, against Jones, who then determined to

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take station near the Malheureux islands. About 2 p. m., on the 13th, the British boats were at Pass Christian. The water was so low because of westerly wind, that three of the gunboats could not be got afloat. even by throwing overboard all that could be spared, until flood tide at 3:30. Three of the British boats entered bay St. Louis, to cut off the schooner Seahorse, that Jones had sent in to remove the stores deposited there. A few shots drove the barges out of range, but they were reinforced by four others, and the attack renewed. Sailing-master Johnson, of the Seahorse, was supported in the fight by a shore battery of two 6-pounders, and after a sharp action of 30 minutes, the enemy drew off, with one boat damaged and several men killed or wounded. But it was necessary, at 7:30, to blow up the schooner, and burn the public store house. Early in the morning of the 14th Jones was com- pelled by a failure of wind to drop anchor "in the west end of the Malheureux island passage." At daylight the calm continued, and the British rowboats, anchored about nine miles distant, prepared to advance. Jones called his subordinates on board his flagship, gunboat No. 156, and gave orders. The boats took position in a close line across the channel, anchored by the stern with springs on the cable, against the strong curren of ebb tide. "Thus we re- . mained," he wrote in his report, "anxiously awaiting an attack from the advancing foe, whose force I now clearly distinguished to be 42 heavy launches and gun-barges, with three light gigs, manned with upwards of one thousand men and officers." He had, as stated, five gunboats, with 23 guns and 182 men, under the command of Lieutenants John D. Ferris, Isaac Mckeever, Thomas A. C. Jones, Robert Spedden and George Ulrick. The sloop Alligator, 1 gun and 8 men, under Master R. S. Shepperd, was two miles away to the southwest, held by the calm. This boat was first captured by a detachment of Lockyer's boats, after which the attacking force was united. "At 10:30," says Jones, "the enemy weighed, forming a line abreast in open order, and steering direct for our line, which was unfortunately in some degree broken by the force of the cur- rent, driving Nos. 156 and 163 about 100 yards in advance. As soon as the enemy came within reach of our shot, a deliberate fire from our long guns was opened upon him, but without much effect, the objects being of so small a size. At 10 minutes before 11, the enemy opened a fire from the whole of his line, when the action became general and destructive on both sides. About 11:49 the advance boats of the enemy, three in number, attempted to board No. 156, but were repulsed with the loss of nearly every officer killed and wounded, and two boats sunk. A second attempt to board was then made by four other boats, which shared almost a similar fate. At this moment I received a severe wound in my left shoul- der, which compelled me to quit the deck, leaving it in charge of Mr. George Parker, master's mate, who gallantly defended the vessel until he was severely wounded, when the enemy, by his superior numbers, succeeded in gaining possession of the deck about 10 minutes past 12 o'clock. The enemy immediately turned

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the guns of his prize on the other gunboats and fired several shot previous to striking the American colors. The action contin- ued with unabating severity until 40 minutes past 12 o'clock, when it terminated with the surrender of No. 23, all the other vessels hav- ing previously fallen into the hands of the enemy." Lieutenants Spedden and Mckeever were also wounded, Spedden losing an arm, and a considerable number of men were killed and wounded. The British reports show 45 boats, with 43 cannon, engaged. Capt. Lockyer reported that on his barge, that fought Jones' boat, he was severely wounded, and most of his officers and crew were either killed or wounded. He succeeded only by the aid of the Tonnant's boats, under Lieut. Tatnall. The total British loss was 17 killed and 77 wounded, including the captain and 15 officers. For his victory Lockyer was promoted to command of the captured flotil- la, and Montressor, in temporary command, at once made use of it to secure possession of Lake Borgne. (See Latour's Historical Memoir and appendix.) The advance guard of the infantry was landed on "Isle aux Pois, a small swampy spot at the mouth of the Pearl river," on December 16, and was joined there by Maj .- Gen. Keane and Admirals Cochrane and Codrington on the next day.

During the remainder of the campaign Ship Island harbor was the station of the Brtish fleet, under Vice Admiral Cochrane, whose flagship was the Tonnant, 80 guns, and Rear Admirals Codrington and Malcolm, the latter of whom carried his flag on the Royal Oak, a seventy-four. There were three other "seventy-fours" in this Mississippi harbor, the Norge, Bedford, Raminies, and Asia; the Dictator of sixty-four, Diomede of fifty, Gordon of forty-four, and eleven ships whose guns were in the thirties, besides ten others of inferior armament. Some of these great men-of-war were then or afterwards famous in the annals of sea fighting.

Mississippi State Medical Association. This association was formed in the winter of 1866, and held its first annual meeting on April 20, 1869. According to Dr. H. H. Haralson, of Vicksburg, an ex-president and an ex-secretary of the association, the follow- ing gentlemen were among its founders: Drs. W. Y. Gadberry, of Benton ; M. S. Craft, S. C. Farrar and A. B. Cabaniss, of Jack- son; H. Posey, of Brandon, and C. B. Galloway, of Kosciusko. There is also evidence to show that the following members of the profession joined the association in 1866: Drs. P. T. Baley and J. F. Harrington, of Jackson ; L. P. Blackburn, of Natchez ; W. B. Harvey, of Canton, and W. B. Williamson, of Edwards. Its first officers were: Dr. W. Y. Gadberry, president ; Dr. M. S. Craft, of Jackson, recording secretary. The object of the organization is, "To advance knowledge upon all the subjects connected with the healing art, the elevation of character and the protection of the proper rights and interests of those engaged in the practice of medicine, and the study of the means calculated to render the medi- cal profession most useful to the public and subservient to the greatest interests of humanity."

Said Dr. Wirt Johnson, president of the association, in his ad-

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dress to the members assembled at Meridian, in April, 1883: "The association together of the members of a learned and liberal pro- fession is not purposeless. The advancement of medical knowledge, the elevation of the character and standing of the profession and the enlargement of its sphere of usefulness to the public, and, inci- dentally, the enjoyment of social pleasures, are among the definite and practical objects in view. I dare say there is not one among us who does not return to his home after these annual meetings with a consciousness that something has been learned, with a more elevated opinion of his profession, and with freshly aroused interest in the work before him. It is true that by individual effort one may acquire distinction and wealth, but it is to be expected that well directed, organized work, alone will result in general and permanent good to the whole profession. I am proud today to be able to congratulate you upon the success and standing of this association. It is strong in numbers and intelligence, and upon its roll of members are the names of many of the most learned and eminent of the medical profession in the State. It can be said to be on a sure and permanent foundation, and it is safe to predict for it a future of great usefulness. Its scientific papers will compare favorably with those of kindred organizations, and have received favorable comment from the medical press of the country. This, while gratifying, should only serve to stimulate us to greater improve- ment. .It was through your efforts that a law was enacted by the last legislature to regulate the practice of medicine in this State. A law which, if it should continue in operation, and is wisely admin- istered, is sure, in the course of time, to elevate the character of the profession. It will not only accomplish this, but will also result in even more good to the people of the State, as by it they will be protected, in life, from the ignorance of the incompetent, and in purse, from the cupidity of quacks." The association has steadily grown in membership and practical influence. Its sessions are held annually at different points in the State, and its transactions, em- bodying the president's annual address, and a program of prepared papers on subjects of particular interest to the profession, are pub- lished in annual reports. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of the long list of papers which have been presented at the annual meetings of this association, and extending over a long series of years. They make up a body of literature of lasting benefit to the profession at large, and of particular value to the profession and people of Mississippi.

Misterton, a post-hamlet in the southeastern part of Grenada county, 15 miles from Grenada, the county seat. Population in 1900, 50. It has a saw mill and a fine Munger system cotton gin.

Mitchell, a postoffice of Tippah county, 6 miles east of Ripley, the county seat and nearest railroad and banking town.

Mize, a post-hamlet of Smith county, on the Laurel branch of the Gulf & Ship Island R. R., 10 miles south of Raleigh, the county seat. Mt. Olive is the nearest banking town. Population in 1900, 25.

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Mizpah, a postoffice of Copiah county, situated on Fosters creek, a tributary of Bayou Pierre, 15 miles west of Hazlehurst, the county seat.

Mobile, County of. After January, 1811, the gulf coast from Pearl river to the western shore of Mobile bay, constituted the parishes of Viloxy and Pascagoula in the Orleans territory, until the region was annexed to the Mississippi territory under the act of Congress of May 14, 1812, covering all the coast belt of the present States of Mississippi and Alabama, from the Pearl to the Perdido, and south of the 31st parallel. Gov. Holmes issued his proclamation September 17, 1812, establishing the county of Mobile, to include all this region, declaring the extension therein of the rights of citi- zens in Mississippi territory, and inviting the inhabitants to be obedient to the laws, maintain order and demean themselves as peaceable citizens. Judge Toulmin was entrusted with the distri- bution of commissions and the supervision of the organization of the county. Theodore Brightwell was appointed sheriff and a day was set for the election of one representative to the general as- sembly. But the officers of the county were forbidden to exercise any authority in the town and port of Mobile, which remained in the possession of the Spanish commandant, Perez, and his garrison of sixty men at Fort Charlotte.

In October, 1812, Gov. Holmes wrote to Gen. Wilkinson approv- ing his suggestion that "the safety and interest of an important part of the Territory would be greatly advanced by having posses- sion of Mobile," but he was very clear that he had no authority to take any steps to that end. A bill to authorize the president to take possession of both East and West Florida was introduced in the House in 1812 by congressman Troup, of Georgia, and adopted by that body in secret session. The senate rejected it, in July. But the president was authorized under the law of 1811 to take pos- session of both Floridas in certain contingencies.

December 18, 1812, an act of the general assembly divided the new county on the ridge west of Mobile bay, confining the name of Mobile county to what lay east of that. The western portion was divided into the counties of Jackson and Hancock.

Gen. Wilkinson, commanding at New Orleans, was ordered, February 16, 1813, to take possession of Mobile, whereupon he prepared an expedition of about 600 men, equipped for a siege, who were transported through the Mississippi sound. From Pass Christian the general wrote that he had had a narrow escape from drowning. From there he sent gunboats to enter Mobile bay to assist a force from Fort Stoddert under Col. Bowyer, in cutting off communication with Pensacola. April 12, being encamped near Mobile, Wilkinson, in pursuance of his orders, informed Perez, that he had arrived to "relieve the garrison which you command from the occupancy of a post within the legitimate limits of the United States," to which Perez replied that he could do no less than protest and evacuate if furnished transports. The evacuation occurred April 15, 1813, after which Fort Bowyer was built on

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Mobile point, and works constructed by Colonel Carson on the Per- dido river.

"The governor of Pensacola has lately demanded possession of the town of Mobile and the whole country of Mobile," wrote Gov. Holmes to Gov. Blount of Tennessee, in July, 1813. Holmes de- pended upon the power and patriotism of Tennessee to hold the region against Spanish or British. See War of 1812-15.

April 14, 1813, Gov. Holmes wrote the secretary of state that he had just received information from Gen. Wilkinson at New Orleans, that he was about to proceed to Mobile to take possession of Fort Charlotte. The governor had been frequently urged, from respect- able quarters, to sanction such a measure, but had refused to do so without instructions from the president. Now he rejoiced that such instructions had been given, and he proposed to start at once for Fort Stoddert to organize government in the town of Mobile when it should be occupied.

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Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 31

Author: Dunbar Rowland Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020