“The year 1811’
Date
5-13-1812
Newspaper
Alexandria Herald
Page and Column
Page 4, Column 2
Newspaper Location
Alexandria, Virginia
Serial Number
1176
Abstract
Catalog of disasters that occurred in the United States in 1811. Mentions the New Madrid earthquake of December 16 and 17 and notes that it was felt in the southern and western United States.
Transcript
From the Charleston Times. THE YEAR 1811. In this year several events have occurred, of no common character. A brief notice of them, (says the compiler) may not be unacceptable. In the month of September, a COMET made its appearance in the Northern part of the Heavens, and passing across our Hemisphere, disappeared at the South about the end of the year. On the 10th of September, the City of Charleston, in South-Carolina, was visited by one of the most tremenduous HURRICANES that ever devastated any country. On the 17th of September the SUN suffered an annular and almost total eclipse. The day was remarkable serene, and, the skies entirely clear of clouds, so that its appearance was the most solemn and impressive that we could conceive. On the 7th November, the lives of many valuable Americans were lost in a battle with the Indians. On the 16th and 17th of December, the western and southern quarters of the United States, were alarmed with several shocks of an EARTHQUAKE. On the 26th of December the theatre at Richmond was consumed by FIRE, and a great number of the most respectable citizens of Virginia perished in the flames. In the summer months, the heat was in many places, the most intense that ever was known. In the principal cities, several lives were lost by the indiscreet use of cold water. The crops in many parts of the United States destroyed by drought; and in many places immense damage was done by overwhelming torrents of rain. These are not common events; and without incurring the charge of superstition, they may be deemed portentous of still greater events. Surely so many extraordinary occurrences, in the course of a few months, ought to excite something of meditation and reflection.
Recommended Citation
"“The year 1811’" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1129.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1129
