Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-26

ssse..fg-siE 80 80.

WAsHIsGrog, August Is The following is
received from cur correspondent at Aqua Creek
landing, Va, dated August 10:
The sad affair Of wednesday night has caused
a deep feeling OF commissTati0n for the fate Of
the gallant soldiers, who, having recovered from
sickness, were en- route here to JON their com
rRdes.
It would be a very sharp battle in which
seventy soldiers were killed, yet that number
ingloriously persisted. One OF the sad features
Of the affair is also the drowning Of three ladies'
and the child Of one Of them. The ladies were
wives Of officers in General Burnside's COM
mahd, aud had been visiting snd attending
their sick husbands IN the hospital at Newpors
News.
The survivors Of the accident describe the
scene which ensued upon the striking OF the
steamers as heartending 10 the extreme. With
the irst shock the rash Of the water was heard
making is way in through the yawniDg gap at
the bows. snd soon he hold and cabins we're
flooded. Immediately ell was confusion. The
air vas rent with cries, exhortations, and
prayers.
The boats were lowered away, butin the con-
fusion tie ladies, who were 10 have been placed
ia them frst, could not be found, or else the
frantic men gave them little heed Some d.
vested themselves of their clothing and boldly
plungedjnto the water, with the intention Of
swimming or drifting to3he shore, and others
frautiealEy chung 20 the woodwork until the yes
sci was eft last engulphed.
The steamer John Faron, from Newborn, with
ouartermaster's st0ICs, and in charge of Cap
teins Biggs snd Hail, was lying at anchor 9
mile or more from the scene Of the accident, and
the cries Of the drowning could be distinctly
heard. At first it was supposed that 3 party OF
soldiers were bathing 10 the river from s0me
s-.--.1-f- cd 4hnE fha v,rf-a rrag fhafr Touoma
explanations.
The George Peabody, however, soon fred two
guns, and the true state Of affairs was conlec-
tuIed, though the Whaling OF the shot from the
| guns, which happened to be loaded at the time,
created soms epprehensions that something Of
an entirely different nature was t~ranspiring.
The Feron, the ganb3at Reliance, and an IN
known bark or schooner, went 10 the assistance
Of the ill-staned vessel, aud by their e~xertions
203 persons in al were rescued. Capts Biggs
and Hall and the captain Of the Faroa did al IN
their power, aided by their officers, to relieve the
unfortunate men. AS fast as they came aboard
they were provided with warm, dry clothing
and blankets, aud TatiOns were dealt outtO them
from the stsamef' stores.
The damage deae to the Peabody Is just for
ward Of the port wheelhobss, where the boz of
the other steamer entered, pusbing 10 its pro-
gress an iron bar between tho paddles, thus
l0ckipg the wheel aad preventing its revolution.
For this reason the Peabody was unable to rea-
Ter any assistance, except with The small boats.
she driited d0wn the stream and for several
hoafs, untn thu iron bar was Withdrawn, h0ated
at The mercy OF tins tide.
The saved were then put on board Of her, and
WHOM Captain Biggs, with his boats and lanterns,
had made a tour Of the vicinity, striving TO
catch, lhTough the darkness, any sound or voice
Of a still surviving swimmer, she started up the
river nd came to anchor of this place yester-
day morning.
Before f nslly leaving this spot, Captain Biggs
visited the wreck, and from between the sub
merged decks drew forth the body Of a drowned
soldier. ae also picked up q body which was
hiGting by. Neither has been identified, and
they have been since buried.
The total number missing il seYenty-six, not
seyenty-t three, as telegraPhed last night. This
number may be reduced somewhat, as several
were observed floating away on boards and
plsnk5 TO the surrounding shores, who may turn
up in g day OF TIVE. The list Of missing which
l sent you is as full as can be obtained st
present. Tbs list sent aboard with the soldiers
went down with thcsteamer, and, until recourse
can be had to the records Of the surgeons in
charge Of the hospital at Newport News, the re-
maiuing names will not be positively and fully
known.
Dr.. Newell of the 4sth Pennsylvania, one of
the victims, was beloved By ell wbO knew him,
Tor his professional, social and genllsmsnly
qualities, and tie survivors testify to bis gallant
conduct II endesvoring to the last to Tescue the
unfortunate ladies. he remained by them, ex-
eTiug himself for their safety, and had he been
less c~aivslTic might have escaped with mis- life.
The investigation, which was commenced be
fore Colonel Welsh, c0mmsudant of the post, last
night, has been transferred to Washington.