The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-07
Names of Portion Of the Saved and
Lost.
The Fifty-sixth Illinois Returning
from the War Nearly all Lost.
Terrible Scenes of Suffering.

N. c., 30th ult, with refugees and troops to
the United States Assistant Quartermaster.
arrived at New York ON the I'd inst. She
reports as follows:
On the 31st ult., at half past ten a. m, off
Cape Hatteras, latitude 35' 05, longitude IS
IS, discovered a steamer in shore on fire
Immediately bore down toward her, and
found her to be the United States steam
transport Gen. Lyon, from Washington to
Fortress Monroe with troops and refugees to
the number of some four or five hundred
The weather at the time was very boisterous,
the wind blowing gale from the southwest.
Went as near her as possible. Found il i'm.
possible TO lower any boats. Picked up as
many we could from boats spars, planks,
&c. When we left her she was burned al.
most to shell, and was fast drifting in
among the breakers. There was a schooner
near by, picking up persons. but could not
tell how many were saved.
The following is list of those picked up
by the General Sedgwick:
Bernet Loesy, private, Co. G, 9th Virginia.
NJ. H. Orwent, Co. ), Sd Pennsylvania heavy
| rtilery.
Ira Lewis. Co. A, S9th New York
Michael S. Bro ket, Co. F, 56lh Illinois.
Robert Simpson, corporal, co. G, saith Ohio.
Thomas Farrar, refugee, Wilmington, N. c.
James Edwards. sergeant, goth New York
Siias Galloway, 56th New York.
Clarence Dunn, refugee
Geo. Murphy, private, Co. A, 9th New York
heavy artillery.
Geo Cioole, Co. F, Hath New York.
c. NJ. Dodson, I'd Pennsylvania heavy artillery.
Joseph Fitzgerald, Co. X, SD Illinois.
James Dempsey, fireman, steamer General
Lyon.
stephen Russell, refugee.
Thomas Cooney, sailor, steamer Lyon.
Nicholas Brown, sailor. steamer Lyon.
Geo. w. Williams, private, Co. G., seth Illinois
Patrick Bryan, coal passer, steamer General
Lyon.
Richard Clarke, Co. F, I'd Illinois light artil-
lery.
John Peoples, oiIer, General Lyon.
isaiah Cleoily, private, Co. X, 9th Ohio cavalry.
Cyrus P. Williams, Co. F, Sd Pennsylvania ar
tillery.
James Gibles, first officer, steamer General
Lyons.
VIM. Granston, first engineer, steamer General
Lyon.
Samuel Presse, first cook tcolored), steamer
General Lyon
Charles A. Brady, refugee.
STATEMENT OF THE SAVED
Mr.. Cyrus p. Williams, member of Co.
L, Third Penasy lvauia artillery, vino was
acting quartermaster and issued retions 10
the escaped Union prisoners and refugees,
has furnished Us with the following interest
ing particulars
There were ON board the steamer General
dred aud four men and eleven officers of the
fifty sixth Illinois regiment, who had been
mustered out of service and were on their
way home, their time of enlistment having
expired sixteen men of the third Pennsylva-
mia artillery ;; one hundred and fifty seven
escaped and paroled Union prisoners sixty.
seven male refugees, and fully one hundred
refugee women and children, on their way
north Besides these were two commissioned
officers and ei2htcen enlisted men of the
ninety ninth New York, acting as guard,
making in an rising of six hundred persons
on board, of whom the small number men
toned above is probably all that were saved,
the sea rolling SO high and the steamer being
near the line of breakers that il was i'm
possible for the unknown schooner mentioned
TO render any assistance. Our informant
says that in spite of her efforts she was una
bio to rescue "a soul.
The fire broke out at about ten O'Clock on
Friday morning from light coming in con
tact with barrel of kerosene, in the porter's
room, and spreading with great rapidity -
Within half an hour tne vessel was complete
ly In flames. The sea was rolling mountains
high, and scene Of the greatest confusion
ensued as soon as it was discovered that the
vessel was on fire Women and children ran
shrieking about, imploring to be saveG--on
one side OF the fire, on the other
'Erhe sea opening like hell''
Scores sprang from the burning vessel On
ly to be swallowed up by the maddened
waves which still bore the burning mass
nearer and nearer TO the roaring aud surging
breakers.
Our boat was launched by the captain of
the General Lyon, assisted by some soldiers
but was instantly stove, the captain being
killed. Our informant and one of the mates
succeeded In getting over a metallic life-bcat
into which they and two three others got
The boat, however. was instantly upset they
being unable to detatch me painter from the
burning steamer, aud all on board but AIR.
Williams were washed out. lie succeeded in
clinglng to the boar. the steamer atill rushing
with fearful velocity towards the breakers
Alter many efforts he broke loose from the
steamer. and by the aid of the boat seven per
sons were rescued
FURTHER PARTICULARS
From other survivors af this most disastrous
caiamlty-memberso of the fifty sixth Illinais
we have received the following iuforma-
ton This gallant regiment-the fifty sixth
WHO formed considerable portion of the
unfortunate passengers of the i'll fated vessel
were on their way from the front, having no
niy discharged their duty to the County
ana, indeed, had exceeded their term of ser
vlce--to be mustered out at Springfield -
I've hundred aud fifteen enlisted men and
officers embarked at Wilmington for Fortress
Monroe on the Goth ult, The vessel was one
night delayed off the bar at the month of the
river waiting for the tide. From the moment
the vessel started on her voyage the weather
was rough and bois,erous. and great mum bers
OF the passengers were in consequence below |
suffering from sea sickness; circumstance
which subsequently lent additional horrors 20 |
the terrible scenes ON board as the great ma