Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-27
THE RED RIVER DISASTER
The Particulars of the Drowning of Two
Hundred Confederate Soldiers.

From the Chicago Tribune of the goth, WI
copy the following particulars Of the disaster
already announced briefly by telegraph;
"Aocounts by the survivors OF the late steam
boat disaster Of Red river agree in their re-
Elections on the officers Of the lost transport for
their criminal Indifference. The accounts say
that the Kentucky, which appears to have been
an old weakly craft had shortly after leaving
Shreveport, been run into the river bank with
great force, but nothing serious was apprehend-
ed from it, and all retired to sleep. The
passengers on board, chiefly Confederate SOL
diers from Missouri, were lying about the boat
and in the forward cabin on the floor souudly
aaleep, when, about $50 P. NJ, it was discover.
ed that the boat had two and a-half feet of
water in her hold, No alarm was given at frst,
and attempts were made to run her ashore, but
30 the boat proved unmanageable this failed. A
stern line was then got out and fastened to the
shore, but mot In time to do any good, for the
boat swung out into mid river, where the current
was strong and the water deep, and the bow
was carried under. The boat careened over on
its side, and slowly at first, and then suddenly
went down, and only about twenty feet Of the
ladies' cabin left out Of water. This, too, stand
ing at an inclination so nearly perpendicular
thst it was with great difficulty that any one
could climb out 1t is likely the boat broke ia
the middle, as the texas and hurricane deok,
forward, remain out Of water, as well as the
bell, which was kept ringing after the vessel
sank until the steamer Chaplin came to their
rescue. For some reason, yet to be explained,
the Soldiers were permitted to remain Rsleep, in
fancied security, while the boat filled with water
and was sinking, and thus nearly all of them
were carried under. Some who were outside,
or could easily extricate themselves, rose TO the
surface and swan out. Some cambered IN the
sides and floor of the boat, and thus escaped,
but about two hundred OF them we're undoubts
edly lost. AS the boat careened, a great rush
took place TO the hurricane deck. Many Of
the passengers were in their berths, and were
saved almost wholly destitute Of clothing. A
large number we're caught between decks aud
drowned. The ladies generally succeeded il
gaining the hurricane deck, and were all saved.
Some children were lost Some Of the passvn-
gers gained the nearest bank, and others reach.
ed the opposite side in safety. To render the
disaster more appalling, the the texas took fire
after the steamer had landed. II was supposed
that the coal oil lamps were upset by the shock,
and that their infiammable contents were spillpd
upon the beds. This fre was fortunately
quenohed, otherwise very large number would
have been added TO the mournful list of lost
PosTMAsTRR GENERAL DEasIsoH has issued
the following interesting letter, which we hope
will be strictly observed by postmasters through
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
WAsHIRdToE, June 10, 1866
To PoItmastsrs:
Congress having by joint resolution, approved
March 8, 1866, declared "That persons honor
ably discharged from the military or naval ser
vice, by reason Of disability resulting from
wounds or sickness incurred in the line Of duty,
should be preferred for appointments to civil
offices, provided they shall be found to possess
ha hua e. al.
discharge Of the duties Of such Offices" and il
being ny desire to carry into effect, as far as
practicable, the laudable purpose Of this rssolu-
tion, il is earnestly requested Of all postmasters
who have occasion to appoint clerks or other
employees In their respective Offices, that they
give the preference 10 such wounded or disabled
soldiers and sailors who have been honorably
discharged from the military or naval service as
hre found qualified to perform satisfactorily the
duties of the position for which they apply.
W. DKNHIsoH,
Postmaster General,
New Jersey is the only free State that has
refused to ratify the act Of Congress amending
the National Constitution for the sboliton or
human slavery in the United States. Maryland,
Tennessee, Louisiana, West Virginia, and
Missouri, oil Southern States, have nobly
affirmed that action, but New jersey, . free
State, where the browning victory Of the
Revolution was fought, stubbornly refuses, owing
to the intrgues of the anti-War leaders, to assst
in completing this noble work. The leading
Union men, without former party Distinction,
are resolved to make an issue In the coming
elections, and to ask the people to decide between
them and the so-oalled Democratic marty. In
this undertaking they solicit tho AasistIncs Of
the soldiers Of New Jersey who have aided to
put down the rebellion.
---seuer--