Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1864-1869, 1865-05-20

IN CANP, NEAR FoRT CRAIG, N. NJ.
May 9th, 1865, | o'clock, P. M
Lieut., r. llUDsoN,
Post Adjutant, Fort Craig, n. NJ.
Sm:-I have the honor, most respect.
fully to state for the information Of the
Colonel Commanding, that received no.
tico, yesterday, the Sth inst, that tho
feTy.boat was in running order, and that
my command could be crossed during the
afternoon; Immediately started with my
command, and on my arrival at the ferry
crossed my private cOnveyancc-con.ainin
my family-ncarly half of my company, sew
alanimals, and my laundresses, On tho
return Of the boat | accompanied it, on our
arrival on the west side, one Of my wagons
drove on; several officers Of your post and
citizens were also aboard; we then cast of
from the shore, Capt, D. B, Haskell, being
in charge of the sailing; when near the
centre Of the stream, and while receiving
the full force of the current, water began
tocomc in over the bows Of the boat,
Immediately ordered every body to the
stern but without effect, as the bows made
a sudden dip under water; We received
the full force Of the current directly
through tho boat. which carried over
board Capt. II. B. Haskell, Mr.. John Hub
bell, Mr.. Null, my Wagon Master, a cit-
zen blacksmith, employed BY the Quarter
master at your pest, several Of the men Of
my company, and all the loose animals
aboard, it also sent the wagon so far that
the leading and swing mules were pushed
overheard, when they drowned in their
harness; the wheel mules | had released,
and they reached the shore in safety. The
bows Of the boat remained under water
only ror n few moments as the weight Of
the wagon and mules in tho stern caused
that end to sink. lnow cautioned those
remaining on the poat to remain quiet and
with the boat, as was satisfied that that
was the best course to pursuc, knowing
that rs soon as the information reached
your post we should receive all possible
help. In few minutes hcr bows wen'
under again, when i. seemed as " tho
panic was worse thau before, aJ several oI
my mon jumped overheard 6i,h their bolts
and musk'ts, Lieut., A. B. John en- NrC
Mr.. ", y. Strachan, Of Albuquerque
were NaslJd Wtrboai1 at ,uis time; il
fact nearly every one loft, and wlcn Ia
bows 0gaiu como above water tlele wa,
left on the boat, Lieut., lohn S. Crouch,
nurse of my family, seven oftho men VIA,
could not swim, and myself. Shortly afte
this a rope was got to US from the easter
sido Of The river and being made fast, tn
boat was got to the shore. No blame cai
be attached to any one, other than tina
the boat was not in proper order; the for
ward "apr0n" and portion Of the bo,
having been carried away sometime pre-
yously, and which allowed the watcr I
enter for this most unfortunate accidon
Capt, d. B. Haskell, Mr., John lIubbel
Mr.. Null, tho citizen blacksmith, and thrc
of my men, have not been heard Of sine
and no doubt they were drowned. Lar
not positive, at present how many men
have lost, as my company were sent dow
the river to look out for any bodies tht
might be in the water; some were on on
sdo Of thcriver some on the other, and a
they wero again sent to search this rivel
this morning, at day light, | am unable
know how many arc lost. ! shall sen
you a supplemental report to-moro'
morning.
! wish to call the attention Of the Cole
y mel Commanding to the gallant conduct {
y Lieut.. John S. Crouch, lst Vet. Inf. Ca
vols, who used every sndeayor to kes