Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-13

EXPLOSION OF TIE CARTER-LETTER ERoN
Mas. RATNoND.-It was expected that Mn
Henro N. Raymond, who left this city one
week ago yesterday, for vicksburg, to
look after his parents who were on board
the Inflated steamboat Carter, that exploded
at Island No. 9s, would reach the latter city
on Saturday last. But no tidings had been
received from HIM up to noon of yesterday.
A letter was received here yesterday from
Mrs. Samuel Raymond. The portions which
we o give a somewhat detailed account
of the disaster
VIcKsBURe, Feb. 5, 1865.
1t is under painful circumstances that !
write this morning. Mr.. Hoffman has tel
egraphed and also written you. He did not
telegraph Immediately, hoping to hear some
tidings of your father. He has not yet been
heard from. Isaw him last with a life pre-
server on, and with a state room door, which
he wrenched off himself. 0ur state room
was the last but two at the stern. l have
my leg broken just above the ankle. The
small bone was not broken, which an
swers a good purpose to keep the b. oxen
one in place. l shall nave to remain
here three or four weeks, probably. I can
not tell now many of the particulars, as
| am under the influence of morphine OF
opium. The wound being very painful,
cannot sleep. The boiler exploded between
three and four in the morning. We awoke
with a feeling that the boat was sinking;
had not heard any noise. We both sprang
up. Heard the deck hands wrenehing of
state room doors and shutters. We dressed
quickly and fastened on life. preservers.
We thought it best 10 dress, knowing if we
had to go to the water, We would be chilled
unless clothed, and could not hold on to
planks. We waited a few moments, hoping
8 life-brat would come soon, and the flames
were fast coming towards me. Your father
looked quite wild, and said, Where shall
we go? At the stern was a window open.
| said Jump out of that, not thinking it was
so far down. Mr.. Raymond jumped with the
door in his hand. l held to the easement q
short time, so as to jump square on my feet,
that I might not break my bones. After
jumping l found 1 could not stand, and told
Mr.. Raymond SO. That was the last / saw
of him till l saw him in the water, with the
door still in his hand. About four feet from
me was 6 bale of hay. l crawled TO it,
climbed on it and let myself down to the
bottom board on the boat. A few feet from
me was a rope. l asked a man who was on
a bale of hay to swing it to me. He did so.
and I let myself down. Did not let go till l
had a firm hold of bale of hay or cotton.
On the top was a sturdy man, Two colored
men IN a raft kept close to US. After
remaining in the water for some time
nv right hand became chilled holding on
to the top of the bale. I asked the man at
the top TO take hold of my hand, thinking
to get a LATHE warmth, but his hand was like
ice However, 1 was glad of his grasp, fer
it was a strong hand. Soon the yawl came
up and I was taken TO the Evening Star
which was then near. We had been in the
water then more than an hour. l cannot
but wonder that / was saved and so many
younger lost. But many seemed to lose all
self possession, and some never left their
state-roOms. One hundred and fifty passen-
gers were lost six only, Of eighteen ladies
were saved. NrG Hofper was not seen, and