The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-10-11
A CRAZY ENGINEER.
he following extract is from the log book
of Mississinni Rfvar ,taa,,,hont.1a

Nuo AVhoWiiig eXtract Is from the log DOOR
OF Mississippi River steamboatman;
During the late war | was engaged as en-
gineer on board government transport
Atthe memorable siege of vicksburg nv
boat was ordered down there with load OF
troops. On tho 4th of July the Oity of
Vicksburg was surrendered. A few DAYS
before the fall of vicksburg was ordered
frora one of the sidewheel transports on to a
large sternwheeler, then undergoing repairs
at Mound City. Immediately on taking
charge OF the new boat ! was ordered to
raise steam, andwhen we were all ready or.
ders came to back out. We were under sealed
orders which on being opened, proved to be
instructions for us to so to vicksburg and
there take on 300 wounded soldiers and
transfer them to Louisville. Our down trim
was unattended by anything more than
stray shot now and then from the ruerrillos
IN the thicket. Our crew consisted of a full
complement Of officers, fifteen men on deck
ana 100 men as consort 20 guard us
against an attack from the enemy. When we
were safely moored at vicksburg carpenters
We're set to work converting the boat into
hospital. ALI things being ready we backed
-asss-s =, eo<a.a
to Northern hospital. Our voyage was unu-
sualy quiet, the woods seemed less danger
GUS than at any time since the war, no shots
having been fired at us since our downward
trip. We were at the foot of Island thirty
seven when the incident occurred that
prompted me to write this sketch, an incident
that caused my blood to almost freeze in my
veins as my fancy wanders back to the time
when saw death staring me in the face and
powerless to avoid it. / came on duty at
o'clock atnigh., and as walked past the guard
a feeling of indescribable loneliness seemedt to
seize my fancy, and in spite of all my efforts
to throw it off it seemed to increase as near
ed the engine-room. entered the engine
room, and, as far as l could see, everything
was in good order and my partner was in
splendid spirits and jokingly said; "Don't
blow her up with all these people on board"
was at that time an old and experienced
engineer, with an established reputation for
skill, and the strange admonition rather con-
fused me. l felt sure the same feeling had
taken possession Of my partner that haunted
me; however, made no response, but pro-
ceeded to inspect the machinery, as was my
custom. might have been an hour looking
around, when looking up saw wild.look-
ing man appear in the engine-room door.
wearing the uniform of heconfederate army.
paid no attention TO him, but went on with
my duty. Presently thought heard some
one slipping up to me. l turned my head
and saw the man standing near me with an
iron wrench raised over my head. raised
my hand to ward off the blow, but too late;
only dull dizziness and knew no more.
When came TO l saw a sight that almost
paralyzed me; there l was, bound and gag.
ed, while the man that struck me was watch.
ing the steam gauge with eagerness, and
which already indicated a pressure of 175
pounds The doctor was stopped. Ash
opened my eyes they caught the eye of
the soldier who, with mauiacal laugh
said: There's boat after US and I'm CO.
Ina sfe a assy e drought h&od stop
the doctor'n and he laughed ut his own
perspicuity. Great heavens, it was true
was bound by q mailman, who imagined he
was racing with another steamboat, and waa
raising more steam in order to win the race2
knew in few smoments terrible explo-
sion must inevitably follow and hundreds of
people probably be killed. What if he
should happen to change his fancy and start
tho doctorg Steam increased until it indi-
Gated 2l0 pounds. 1 held my breath and
closed my eyes. Eagerly the mad soldier
noted the increase of steam, and, with
fendish look, said, - guess I'll start the
doctor" I saw him put his hand on the
throttle valve, saw the doctor start with a
thump that fairly shook the whole boat;
and for several seconds the doctor run, but
was not throwing out any water. Iheld my
breath, expecting to be hurled into eternity,
when l saw the other engineer enter the
door. AT glance he saw it all, and with
well directed blow felled the maniac to the
| floor. Instant orders to haul fires saved US,
and many prayer was offered up for our
safe deliverance. The man that came so
near blowing up the boat was once steam
boat engineer, but, going into the army, re-
ceived wound in the head from which he
lost his reason. On this night he had es.
capped from his guard = Cincinnati Ga
setts.
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