Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1865-07-14
The Red River Tragedy.
Sinking Of the Steamer Renmeky-- T'wo Hundred
Men Dro,ened in hefr Sleep.

Men Drolencd in her Sleep.
ft,4fNtA WIZ
Our readers have alrrady been made aware Of
The sinking Of the transport steamer Keptucky
short distance below Shreepou, Jon. aiie OH,
and the loss thereby Of. tile iyes of some two
hundred persons chiefly Confederate soldiers from
Missouri aud some from Arkansas, who have been
paroled and were returning home.
We bad an interview yesterday with Mr. Louis
Flataa ono Of the survivors, who gave us quite
full account Of the disaster which we transcribe for
the benefit Of our readers 3YlN
The Kentucky which appears to have been an
old and leaky craft had, shortly after leaving
Shreveport been run into the river bank with quite
jar, but nothing serious was apprehended from il,
npdell retirsdIto sleep. There were aboht eight
hundred passengers on board chiefly Confederate
soldiers from- Missouri and these were lying about
the bow aud in the forward cabin on the floor
soundly ASLEEP, when, about 9r. ~, twas dscoy-
cr9d that the boat had two and half feet of water
in the hold.
Noalarm was giyenat first, and an attempt was
made TO run her ashore; but as the boat proved I'M
manageable this failed. A stern line then got
Out and fastened to the Shore but not in time to do
any good for the boat was swung out into mid
river, where the current was strong and the water
deep, and the bow was carried under; the boat
eareened over on its side, and slowly at frat, and
then suddenly the bow went down and only about
water. This, too, standing at an inclination SC
nearly perpendicular that it was with great difficulty
that any one could climb out. tits likely that she
broke in the middle, ms the Texas and hurricane
deck forward remained out of the water, as well ~
the bell which was kept ringing after the vesse
sank, until the steamer Chaplin came to their nssis
lance. la y 3 r.I N 200. -'t y
For some reason yet to be explained, the soldiers
were permitted TO remain asleep in fancicd security
while the boat had TINS filled with water and Wal
sinking and thus nearly all of them were carried
under with the boat. Some who were out side o.
could easily extricate themselves rose to the sur
face and swan OUT some clambered up, the side
and floor Of the boat and thus escaped; but abou
two hundred Of them were undoubtedly lost
Such was the confusion and terror occurring a
this did in tho night, and while the men wer
asleep, that when they emerged from their dream
they thought of nothing but sef-preservationr
Among the few who cxerted themselves to saveith
ladies, our informant names Maj Buckncr, MAJ
Wardel, and Capt. Montgomery, of the Confedorat
army, and Mr.. A. II. lsaacson; and there wer
Others whose names escaped his memory He hin,
self succeeded in rescuing the little daughter G
Mr.. isaacsoR, who hatfnlready ALLEN down to III
water. He clambcred up with her with great diff
Guilty, until she could be put into the ife-boat an
taken ashore.
..,s The current was exceedingly swift. and, boat
were almost iinmanageable otherwise more mirf
have been sayed. ii was, 400 persons wer
taken off, including all the ladies and children,
far as known; and their baggage. The Ghspir
Which had come down owing to the incessant ring
ing of the bell, rendered the greatest assistance
rescuing those who clhng to the wreck, and he
officers, merit the gratitude of all who arc i
any degree Interested in the survivors. /" TT
Ohapin took on board tho ladies and children, an
many of the ,othee passengers NIL of whom wei
wet and weary, made them comfortable, and gov
aidto all, so far as lay in their power c3 y "
We are informed that all the officers and crew
tho Kentucky were saved, and If notice of tn
dangerous condition of the boat had been given
sleepers or, better sti had there been such waci
hlhess and good conduct as not to have waite
until the hull was full of water before trying
land, the lives of the two hundred victims of til
piece of criminal indifference and carclessne
would have been saved Our informant could ne
furnish us with the names of any of the los
Poor fellows. Thoy had been four years from hom
lighting bravely, If mistakenly, for what they r.
gardcd rs their right. When the day of surrendt
came, they did not leave their coors, but RENAME
Mt their posts, and having like soldiers given the
paroles, were about TO return 10 their homes wit
the plandits of both friend and foe, when in darl
ness the wave swept over them and they wei
gone. Ma. ff'-I