The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-31
Additional Particulars of the
Terrible Disaster.
NEARLY TWO HUNDRED SOL
DIERS DROWNED.
tltERoIsM OF AN UNKNOWN
DANsEUsE.
II Incidents of the Foundering,

B n her voyuge from New Orleans 60 New York
. Nh nearly two hundred Of our brave soldiers on
#yoaTd Is a catastrophe which fills Jhe national
Meart with mourning. Most Of the soldiers were
- turning home on sick leave-a fcw having re-
\ ceiyed their discharge from the Ul.ad States
service. IL is sad reflection, 10 think tlat men
u who for several months heroicay barred their
breasts to the common enemy, ami suffered so
much in defense of the country, should suddenly
q have met with watery grave while on their re
II turn to home and kindred.
But no hope seems to DO now entertained of
q their safety. The North ABlerica fDundered with
a one hundred and ninety-seyen soldier passengers
on board, and no tidings has yet been given as to
NheIher single one Of them survived the terri
bic catastrophe.
Surgeon f. McClintock was in charge of the
Ioldlers while on their trip from Nv Orleans to
T. New York. The descriptive lists containing ali
Their names were lost 50 tlat it IS impossible TO
make public those who went dOwa With the uu-
81 fortunate vessel. 1t will probably be some days
before ibese important facts can he Published
II Those who were positively known as having met
with wattry grave, together with the saved we're
vmentioned III yesterdays Herald.
A PAssESGER's STATEMENT.
\ Private Charles L. Fowler, Of the llth New
YORK Cavalry, was one Of the p.ssengers on
board OF the North Ayneyica Prom him ve
CLEAN some Of the details conuec ed with the
ca Astrephe. The usual terror noticeable on
occasions Of this description are not here TO be
5ound Az there is \ record Of such scenes up
fto the Time the last boat left the NORTH ARerica
On Friday, the 10th of December the Voyth
u d'neitcd sailed from New Orleans. There yere
q ION noard two hundred and three sick soldiers
HtWesSe g .ni'pdssengers and crew consisting of
forty -four. The soldiers were tai 70 from the
different hospitals In the vicinity O: New Dreams
slough principally from the one at Baton Rouge
ADons one hundred OF them belonged to tue
II ft4yA AlruV 30.
the remainder were attached u va Gus Western
regiments which cannot at presen, be specified
1he vessel wa freighted with n ca 20 of cotton,
considered to be very valuable.
For the first three days after lea wing the port
As2f New Orleans the weather was qu g favorable
fDp.tng this time no incidents Of any description
occurred 70 disturb the usual mouoiony of sea
fife. On the 20ih, however strong gale sprung
mp from south-southwest. Tue sea beca ne eX.
ceedingly rough. This sort of weather c clntinued
nntii the z2d, when il began to m Iderate. On .
l0f9at morning, at eleven O'clock the vessel was
#ftpOfted as le king badly.
IN This leak was discovered in the b1w, and every
tNerIion made to prevent it gaining, but all to no
fupOse. Blankets and other articles we're brou rht
q ON the staterooms, the crew and passengers set
- kWOrk, but their efforts proved M lvailing At
HI ~ o'clock vessel hove in sight which proved
IkA tne harqne Mary Il. Libby. she was imme-
NtuHAely sgnalied To draw near and he tye-to which
1elgnAN was at once resp nded TO.
W CApb-ln Marshman, of the North Alnerica
SeeiDg shat there were no hopes of saving his
WNCooSli bbCu RhN6 OTuCTS TO lower away the
20 that all on board might be tran sferreG to the
Mary Il. Libby. That gentleman stood at the side
Hpf the vessel and threR ened any person attsmpt-
nB 70 enter the boats without his orders with in
mediate death. This had the effect of keeping
perfect quiet on the decks of the North imeyicf
and no umidity or confusion Of any description
YVES exhibited.
j So close did the li1ry r. LiJJy coma IN the
Binkipg vessel that tley both run into one
Il mother, but no damage of any consequence was
nsteined on either side. There we're i've ladies
n board, ana Captain Marshman gave orders
hat they should be first put on the oarque.
.N HEROIC INCIDENT.
4 Among the passengers was Ms, MilIie Fowler.
kfister or cur informant. When requested 10
accompany the -four other ladies' in rhe BOAT Miss
EFO"ler energeHcally refused 70 do so unless
Ellowed TO bring her brother along With her She |
&Tas, therefore, compelled to remain until the |
&econd beat. This action had the result ofsaying |
tr Drother's life. Were it not for this incident |
might not have been permit i to enter the |
& Miss Fowler Isl native Of yracu 70, in this State
&ehe lett home some weeks since and proceeded 10 |
WNew Orleans, where her brother Is then 10 hos
#pial, sGheiing from chronic dsJ rhma While |
pn his sick bed shetended him vi o sisterly care |
#Nhen threatened with death, she 90 BY him TO |
Nne iast ana though her own lite might 30 sacri-
.en' Sne old not shrink Ia war"h'g by his side
NIL the moment came when trcl we're both ia |
WgnRtr OF meeung a Watvry grave
Vn bhese facts beng known by he saved pas
Nnge's ON board OF tie Arago o. which vessel
khey were transferred on the 2A -, a purse of
#wo hundred and fifty dollars w. presented 10
NE brave glrl as small tesim % u in token of
xSr courageous condGct
THE "NoRrH AEERICA" Pl. sDERs.
biX boats containing passenge we're safely
4Aced ON board OF the barque. O of the bDitS |
S"hleh we're tue purser aud h Iital steward
~ never seen, and it is suppos 3d JlaJ she CAP !
d.. Three hours were occlpiat by tho inst
lWt In reaching the Merry r. Ii55g and then
1Hght had set in, rendering II Impossible to m IKE
NY further eXertions at rescue
NlIhe tntre cre@ of the Norm tDisyica with
Nelr captain, escaped, together fifteen en-
1fed men and five lady pt 'scug.rs. Ons hun
AItd and nnety.seven soldiers we're drOwued |
ri be Rafg H. Li5by remained in ne vicinity of |
pc Month america all night, she having remained
siOat aptl an hour after midnight, when sud |
t9iy she Disappeared. Next morning, at day
(sht, search was made for the missing vessel |
ut no trace Of her could be fuuud.
" SCENE PREVIOUS 10 THE ForvDERNd
lt is a remarkable fact that There WAS little or
70 confusion on board of the N0JIh 4B,ertca some |
w hours previous 70 her found ring; that is |
bile some OF the passengers were being trans |
F1pried TO the barque. Thfs m " be accounted
~ fToms the fact that the rem lining soldiers
SlTaited them.
They firmly believed the North 4 nsriea wonld
E de out the night, when they would be reaeiye1
board OF the Mary Z. LIBBY. Bat their antici-
iflns were doomed 70 be wOfally dissipated,
Gthe poor fellows met with fearful end.