The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-04-19

amidships. Several of us manned the pumps
and worked there for about forty minutes
IN trying to put out the fire, but TO no pur-
pose: \ heavy gale was blowing at the time
which famed the fire, and quantity Of oil,
which was on board the ship, caught fire and
spread rapidly over the deck. Three-quar-
tiers of an hour after tho flames broke out,
the first boat was launched in the midst of
a heavy sea. 1t dritted under the stern of
the vessel, and was smashed to pieces by
the paddle-whel.
Ten men were il the boat, seven of whom
were drowned including the captain Of the
vessel. Finding the tiie could not be check
cd, tore door from the galley and threw
1t overheard, and then followed il. | was
IN the water three hours, as near as | could
judge, when the steamer General Sedgwick
hove in sight and picked Inc up. | was
then at least l 500 yards from the burning
vessel. She was still burning and rapidly
drifting on the shoals. No one could be
seen On oard OF her; all that was obscrya-
bic above deck was her snoke-stack
hile on the water | saw two boats fill
ed with about twelve soldiers in each, but
the sea was so rough that there was no
chance of their surviving it. One of the
boats was lost while the Gen. Scdgwick was
endeavoring to save her. She capsized,
and of those on board only one person was
saved, a negro cook. The Chief Engenecr
OF the Gen. Sedgwick while trying to save
a drowning man, fell overheard aud was
drowned. He belonged to this city, but |
do not know his name. The other of the
two boats ! have no knowledge Of think
she was picked up by the Gen. Sedgwick,
but am not sure, as | was entirely ex-
haustcd when rescued, and sent below
A schooner also came up in sight half an
hour before | was pick ked up, but she could
not assist me, she having on too much head
way A rope was throwc me, but | could
not catch il.
After my rescue, the Gen. steamed in
ward the burning vessel, and went to with
in seven fathoms of water, but could not
reach her When jumped overheard from
the Gen. Lyon, between 50 to GO persons
had proceeded me. They were clinging to
doors, chairs and other floating matcrials.-
The Scent on deck, when left, was Il most
hesrt ending one. There were about fifty
women and children on board, belonging to
the refugee families, and they were moan
ing for life. Old soldiers, wing had faced
the enemy innumerable times, were crying
and praying. None of the women or chill
dren were seen in the water What be-
came Of them do not know. Nearly NIL of
the raroled and escaped prisoners were sick
below deck, and were, most probably, burn
cd to death.
''rhc Gen. Scdgwick rescued 20 soldiers
and nine of the crew Of the Gen Lyon. =
That is all that is known to have been say
ed. although it is hoped that the schooner
which was seen may have picked up some.
Among these on the Gen. Lyon, whom
knew, were Thomas W. Smith, James w,
Inn. and Peter Wade, MI of tho 9th Ohio
Crvahy. am unaware of their fate. Those
rescued in common with myself received the
kindest attention from the officers and crew
of the Ten >ral Sclgwiek. We arrived itrI
this city Sunday noon. "
Mr. Colby describes tho scene on board
the burning vessel as one of the most terri
bic and impressive sights he ever witnessed.
children begging their mothers to save them,
while the mothers were rendered frantic by
their appeals; soldiers suffering the most
horrid agony and shricking groaning and
crying whore the awful sights displayed.