Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-30
THE RED RIVER DISASTER.
The Particulars Of the Drowning OF Two
Hundred Confederate Soldiors.

hundred ConfeueIhte Solalors. \
From the Chicsgo Tribune Of the 2Oth, we
copy the following particulars of the disaster,
slready announced briefly by telegraph sf7
"Aocounts by the survivors OF the late steam-
boat disaster Of Red river agree in their re-
hections 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 spprehend-
ed from it, and all retired to sleep. q. The.
passengers on board, chiefly Confederate SOL
diers from Missouri were lying about the boat
and in the forward cabin OF the floor soundly
asleep. when, about 3. 90 P. NJ, it was discover
| cd that the boat had two and s-half feet OF
water in her hold. No alarm WAS given at first,
and attempts we're made to run her ashore, but
as the boat proved unmanagsable this failed Al
| stern line was then got out and fastened to the
shore, but not in time to do any good, for the
boat swung out into mid river, where the current
wss strong and the water deep, and the bew
| was carried under. The boat csreened over on
ils side. and slowly at first, and thsn suddenly
| vent down, aud only about twenty feet Of the
lsdes' cabin left out Of water. This. too, stand .
ing at an inclination so nearly perpendicular
that it was with great difficulty that any one
could climb out 1t Is likely the boat broke in
the middle, as the texas and. hurricane deck,
forward, remain out Of water, as we'll as the
bell, which was kept ringing after the vessel
sank until the steamer Chaplin came to their
rescue. For some reason, yetto be explained,
the soldiers we're permitted to remain asleep, In
fanoied security, while the boat filled with water
and was sinking, and thus nearly ali Of them
we're carried under. Some who were outside,
or could easily extrioate themselves, roae to the
surface and swan out. some elambersd up the
sides and floor Of the boat, and thus escaped,
but about two hundred Of them were undoubt.
edly lost. As the boat careensd, great rust
took place TO the hurricane deck Many oI
the passengers we're in their berths, and wers
saved almost wholly destitute Of clothing. A
large number were canght between decks and
drowned. The ladies generally succeeded ID
gaining the hurricane deck, and we're all saved
Some children we're lost Some Of the passen-
gers gained the nearest bank, and others reach.
ed the opposite side 10 safety. To render th.
disaster more appalling, the the texas took Cir,
after the steamer had landed. It was supposed
that the coal oil lamps we're upset by ths shock
and that their inhammable contents we're spilet
/ upon the beds This hre was fortunatel
. quenohed, otherwise very large number woul,
have been added to the mournful list Of lost
PosrNAsrrR GEsKRsL DxEsIsos hiss issus
the following interesting letter, which we hop
will be strictly observed by postmsstsrs through
oat our sntire country; ".
Posr 0rFIcs DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1866.
10 Postpsastsrs; N1
. Congress having by Joint resolution approve
. March g. 1856, declared ''Thst persons honor
ably discharged from the military or naval ser
vice, by reason Of disability resulting froI
. wounds or sickness incurred in the line Of duty
4 should be preferred for appointments 10 civ
offices, provided they shall be found to posses
the business capacity necessary for the props
discharge Of the duties Of such Offices and
being my desire to carry into effect, as far q
practicable, the laudable purpose Of this resolr
tion, it is earnestly requested Of all postmaster
who have occasion to sppoint clerks or oths
employees in their respective Offices, that the
give the preference 10 such wounded or disable
soldiers and sailors who have been Aonorsbl
discharged from the military or naval service q
are found qualified 10 perform satisfactorily th
duties Of the position for which they apply
I'll W. DksEIsos,
II Postmaster General.
New Jersey is the only free State that hi
. refused to ratify the act of Congress amendin
: the National Constitution for the sbolitlon
. human slavery in the United States. Marylan'
Tennessee, Louisiana, West Virgins, an
a Missouri, all Southern States, have nohl
! affirmed that action, but New Jersey, fire.
/ State, where the crowning victory Of th
y Revolution was fought, stubbornly refuses, owln
to the ntrigues of the anti-war leaders, to ASST
al In completing this noble work. The lesdin
Union men, without former party distinction
are resolved TO make an Issue in the comm
elections, and to ask the people TO decide bstwes
them and the so-called Democratic party.
this undertaking they solicit the assistance
ts the soldiers Of New Jersey who have aided
d put down the rebellion.