The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
The March Of Death.

The navigation of our great lakes is full
of tragic romance. The mention of the
subject calls up memories of confagration,
collision and wreck, with their various cir
cumstances of horror; and probably there is
scarcely a reader who is not reminded of
some fair or manly form who once sailed
hither or thitherward, but was seen no
more. Among these thrilling tales, how
ever, the story of the Inflated Jersey City,
which left Toledo for Buffalo, and was
wrecked on the Oath OF last month, is one Of
the most narrowing. We take the details
from the Cleveland Herald, which relates
them from the narrative of survivor. No.
vember Oath was terrible day upon the
shores of Lake Erie; the air was so thicxly
filled with sleety particles that objects we're
hidden as by fog, and it was driven by
fierce, cutting wind which could not be with
stood. Captain MONROE, of the propeller,
an experienced and courageous sailor, found
himself about IL o'clock that morning near
Long Point, Canada, and making an effort
to weather it failed in the attempt, and
grounded about two miles from shore. All
hands were ordered on the hurricane deck,
which was soon broken off by the waves
and floated inward with its load, grounding
about O'Clock not far from shore. Sew.
eral persons, however, who disregarded the
order and took to the life-boat, were lost in
the breakers. AS the deck struck bottom
a lad was washed over, but was rescued by
Captain MONROE, who took him in his arms
and waded to shore When the boy was
set on shore, his pantaoons fell about his
feet, where they froze in solid mass, chain
ing him to the ground, and the poor lad, half
naked, died in few minutes. Captain
Monroe then aided the rest to get on shore,
which was accomplished by all except MIR.
Derby, the clerk of the boat, who was SO
much chilled as to be unable to speak or
help himself. The Captain, aided by the
two engineers, Manchester and Cummings,
succeeded at length in taking him on his
back and carrying him through the break
ers, against the ice, sleet and freezing wind.
But, on reaching the shore, his burden
was corpse frozen upon him. Only by
falling heavily upon the ground could be
disengage himself from that body of death,
and then found his arms so frozen, and his
clothing so stifiened, that be could not rise,
neither could his friends help him. He
gained his feet by rolling toward the body
of one of his companions, which was frozen
in a sitting posture, and climbing up by it.
The lighthouse was not distant, and the
few survivors, seven in number, began their
march toward it. Within 300 yards of the
house they came to small creek. In at
tempting to cross it, Manchester's strength
failed, and Cummings, trying to help him,
was overpowered. The two persisted in
each others arms, the brave Cummings
dying with words of cheer on his lips. Cap
tain Monroe, with two fremen, the wheel
man, and one passenger, at length reached
the lighthouse. Seventeen persisted; the
bodies of six were recovered.
Captain Monroe lives near Dunkirk, New
York, and is the same man who CALAMITY
rescued the frozen crew of the Omar Pasha,
at great personal risk. some years ago. near
the mouth of Cleveland harbor. In his
own extremity, this good deed was had in
remembrance, and after persistency of
endurance and effort for his companions,
scarcely excelled by those of the heroic
Kane, he was enabled to reach a place of
safety with four of his charge. If anything
can tighten the burden of such tragedy, it
is the record ofsuch heroism. Sometimes
it happens that the helm is in really kingly
hands, and we have not to add to the chron-
icle of disaster, that the leader was cowed
or confused by the peril, or that he saved
himself alone, or that he died feebly and I'm
helpfully. Honor to the brave and resource.
f,lp MAN IN ovoru OF tim Woxh