The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-17

FROM NEW ORLEANS, WITH ABOUT FORTY
OF HER PASSENGERS AND DREW.
From the New York World, June 8.
The United States steam transport City OF
Bath, Captain Lincoln, hence June 1 at II A.
NJ, bound to Washington, D. c., returned to
this port last night, having been in collision
with the steamship Pocahontas, from New Or
leans, near Cape May, having her bows stove
in and steam-pipe carried away. The POcahOn-
tas sunk in twenty-five minutes, carrying down
with her about forty of her passengers and
crew. Captain Lincoln reports:
The City of Bath left New York June at II
A. NJ, bound to Washington, D. C. At 11:5O
2. M. made steamers light ahead; put our
helm aport to clear her; at the same time the
Pocahontas helm was put starbOard, and the
two boats came together, the City of Bath
striking the PocahOntas about the fore.rig-
ging; backed off from her, and found that we
were leaking badly; commenced throwing over
board cargo to tighten her forward, and sue
the assistance of the other vessel, and lay by
the place until daylight, in hopes to find more
of her people Ga large number having already
been received on board, but picked up only
one at the time Of the collision; Cape May
light ship bore southwest seventeen miles.
FURTHER PARTICULARS. IFS
The passengers lost were soldiers discharged
or on furlough. The Pocahoptas was screw
steamer of about eight hundred tons, COM
manded by John Baxter, of Hyannis, and
sailed from New Orleans on the 21st of May,
with one hundred and one souls on board. She
had rendered good service to the government
during the Texas expedition under General
Banks. The voyage up to the time of the dis
aster was unusually pleasant The captain
(Baxter) was in feeble health. With the con-
sent OF the chief quartermaster of the depart
ment of the Gulf, he had placed in charge
Captain Samuel Baxter, an efficient officer of
much experience. All the officers did their
best to render the passage pleasant one. On
board OF the steamer was the body of the noble
Capt. Frank B. Halleck, Company K SCOTS
Nine Hundred, in charge of his brother, Capt
Harvey Halleck
On Wednesday night, June list, the night be-
ing dark and hazy, steamers light was seen
within few hundred yards of the Pocahontas
Captain Baxter and officers were on the look
out. Soon our whistle was blown very loud
sexeral times. The Pocahontas was making
ten or eleven knots through the water by
steam and a heavy press of canvas. Everything
apparently was done to prevent disaster but
by some fatal mistake of the helmsmen On
both steamers the ships came in collision. The
City of Bath bound to Washington with gov
eminent stores, ran into the POcahontas, bow
on, striking her on the starboard side, Just
O'Clock, most of the passengers had retired to
their borths; many of them soon started for
the upper deck. The two captains soon dis
covered that the vessel was sinking The boats
were ordered to be lowered Immediately. The
two vessels remained humping each other for
few minutes and then separated. One of
these boats, during the excitement, and the
other two did what they could to save the poor
souls already aioat, for the Pocahontas went
down in about twenty minutes. Planks and
ladders were thrown overheard, and Captain
Lincoln, of the City of Bath, threw overheard
scores of cork life preservers; but the sea was
high and the wind fresh, which caused many
OF the poor fellows to sink into watery
grave.
A chaplain in the United States army, an in
valid, on leave OF absence to his family, staid
by the ship to the last, encouraging the men,
and threw many planks into the water. and
kept saying, Hold on, boys" until he was
quite hoarse; and when the ship was going
down. how first, the chaplain deliberately took
OFT his oyercoat and plunged into the see. He
swan OIL as fast as he could, not having been
able to secure plank or life-preserver for him
SELF He providentially reached the stern of
one of the boats, exhausted, and was kindly
helped in by two men already in the boat
There being not sufficient means to keep the
water out of the boats the chaplain gave his
cap to one of the sailors to bail with. This
UOAt, WuiCL W iAS UuucT tuc Charge Oh captain
Samuel Baxter. did good service by picking ND
many soldier near the jaws of death. One
of the soldiers saved had but one arm
having lost the other in the battle
of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. His name is
Tension, and belongs to the veteran Second
New York regiment. The survivors have been
very kindly received on board OF the City of
Bath. Captain Lincoln was compelled to throw
overheard much of his cargo to keep his own
ship from sinking. He remained near the spot
until morning, and had the satisfaction of saw
ing one poor fellow who had Rugged up to a
good plank all night. The scene Is beyond de-
scriptiOn. Many have been saved without a
hat or shoe, losing everything but their lives
Mr. Duncan, second officer of the POcahontas,
deserves much praise for his great exertion in
saving many who were ready to perish. There
is an excellent chance for the gentlemen of the
Christian ard Sanitary Commissions to do
good. Many IF the soldiers have not any means
to reach their homes in comfort. Many of the
destitute may be found on board of the City of
Bath for day or two.