The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-14

Burning Of the q. s. Transport
Gen. Lyon off Cape Hatteras.
Over Five Hundred Lives Lost.

From the New York Times, April 8.
By the arrival of the steamer General
Sedgwick at this port, yesterday, We are
put In possession of the facts of one of the
most appalling calamities by fire at sea
that has occurred for many years, involving
the loss of life of some 52l souls, including
men, women and children, nearly four
fifths of whom were burned to death, ow-
ing to the dastrdly conduct of some few
|swho were on board the ship and had no
thought but for self preservation.
On Wednesday last the United States
steam transport Gen. Lpon sailed from
Wilmington having on board 2O4 of the
seth Illinois regiment, Sd division, I'd
brigade, 10Th army store, who had served
out their time, about 200 paroled and
escaped prisoners, and considerable mum.
Der of refugees, making total, including
the crew, of about $50 persons. The
Lyon proceeded as far as the bar, where
she remained all night, and about eight
o'clock on Thursday morning resumed
her course. Nothing of interest occurred
until about ten O'Clock on Friday morning,
when, in shoal water off Cape Hatteras,
the thrilling cry of fire was raised and at
once the scene was heart-rcnding. We
men ran screaming on the decks searching
for their children or friends, while men
were quite as appalled, or frantic, and, in the
language of one of the survivors, it seemed
as if every one had suddenly become bereft
Of their senses, and the place was a very
dandemoniuln. Soldiers who had been
with Sherman through all his hard fought
battles, and had hever been known to
falter in the thickest of battle, became as
helpless as little children.
The fire was caused by the bursting of q
barrel of coal oil in the porter's room, di-
rectly over the boiler, and in less than five
minutes the flames were belching out on
deck, and with the assistance of strong
gale, spread very rapidly. The mate Of
the ship at once went to work to get out
the hose, but the alarm and excitement
were so great that but little progress could
be made toward extinguishing the fire. In
the meantime, the captain of the ship came
up, and in most frantic manner ex-
claimed: "Shes gone! She's gone!
There's no use trying to save her!' A
rush was then made for the life boats, of
which there were but three on board, and
they were soon launched. Two of the
boats were on the bow of the vessel, and
as soon as one was launched, the captain
sprang into it and pushed of, intent upon
saving bis own life. Capt. James Weber,
of Go. z, seth Illinois Regiment sue
ceeded in getting into the same boat, which
in q moment after was struck by the wheel,
and the captain of the ship was instantly
killed. Capt. Weber, being uninjured,
chung to the swamped boat, but subse-
quently, as he was being hauled on board
the Gen. Sedgwick, about a quarter of a
mile distant, lost his hold of the rope and
was drowned. Our informant, Joseph
Fitzgerald, 90. K, seth Illinois, got into
the other boat launched from the bow, to-
gether with twelve others, and while en-
deavoring to get on the Sedgwick all but
five were drowned in consequence of the
rough sea. A number of other persons
got into the third launch and were saved,
while others tossed overheard doors and
planks, and were subsequently picked up
At the time the fire broke out, nearly
400 soldiers were below, as but few were
allowed on deck at one time; and as soon
as the alarm was given, the ladders were
pulled up from the matches, thus preclud-
ing the possibility Of escape, and there can
be no doubt that they were burned to
death. Those remaining on deck jumped
overheard and were drowned. The whole
number known to have been saved was 20,
of whom 20 we're soldiers, and the crew
of the ship. Of the 204 of the seth ILL.,
nois regiment, all but four persisted, inclu-
ding all of the officers. Geo. Williams of
company F, seth Illinois, conveyed a
woman on plank to the Sedgwick, but
upon arriving there she was dead he was
saved. Maj. James Files, who was in
command of the seth Illinois, refused to
leave the ship, saying he would stick by
her as long as there was piece left as
large as his two hands.
In three hours from the time the fire
broke out the ship was entirely destroyed.
The Gen. Sedgwick lay by until toward
night and then left, the officers and crew
having done everything in their power to-
ward rescuing the unfortunate beings of
the Lyon, but were unable to do more
than they did in consequence of the rough
sea and the close proximity to the break
ers. The first engineer of the Sedgwick
was lost overheard while endeavoring to
rescue one of the sufferers.
This detachment of the seth Illinois
Regiment had served out their time, and
were on their way to Springfield, Illinois,
where they were to be mustered out of the
service. Major Files had all the papers
belonging to the privates, and consequent
ly the four survivors who arrived here yes
terday are without any papers whatever,
either upon which to obtain their pay,
amounting to nearly $500 each, or upon
which to obtain transportation to their
homes.
Isaiah C. Colby, of Company K, 9Th
Ohio cavalry one of the snrvivors of the