The National tribune., 1889-07-25
THAT SAD AFFAIR.
An Account of IT by Member of the 27d n.

An Account OF " ny u memnef Oh tHt Etu We Hs
EpIroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In response
to the hopes of w. NJ. Clark Sergeant, Go. 9,
2d Term expressed iIE his article of June ~ in
THE NATIoNAL TRIBUNE aud entitled "a
Sad Affair."" respectfully give my version of
the accident alluded TO by him.
In the early Spring of 1863 the Ninth Corps,
under Burnside to which the 9th N j. be-
longod, was transferred from the Army of the
Potomac to Kentucky, arriving there about
March %. After remaining in Camp Dick
Robinson until April =, march was resumed
to Stan ford, Ky, about 20 miles distant Here
an expedition was planned To drive the rebels
beyond the lines OF the State of Kentucky.
force consisting of five regiments OF cavalry
and brigade of infantry was organized by
Gen. s. T. Carter commanding that district.
Tho cavalry, with - battery of mountain how
itzcrs, was placed under the command of Col.
WOford, of the LIST Ky. Cav, while the infantry,
consisting of the 2d Tenn, l03d Ohio and 9th
N j.. with six rifled Rodman 10-pounders. of
Wildrick's Ind. battery, was put under Geo.
w. Mndlc, Colonel of the 9th N. j.; Gen.
Carter having command of the whole. On
April 30 this force crossed to the cast side of
the Cumberland River at Stigold Ferry on
barges, and pushed forward some 10 miles
reaching Monticello May /. The rebels were
driven from that place and across the borders
of the State into Tennessee. The expedition
having accomplished its mission, it was decided
to return TO the west side of the Cumberland.
On reaching Stigold Ferry, May 6, we found
that the barges in which we had crossed had
been removed, but In their places were two
large iatboats There had been heavy rains
in the TWO days preceding, and the river, which
was not over six feet when we first crossed 10,
was now n roaring torrent of Mt least % feet
depth. In order to use these fats. two ropes
were stretched across the river, the one farther
up the river to be used by the troops and tho
a..
The I'd Tenn. and l03d Ohio had crossed in
safety, and also part of the 9th N. J. The
boat was then loaded with portions of Co.'s A,
Il. G aud l.. These boats or flats were pulled
across The river THE current of which was not
less than six miles hour by the men on it.,
who passed one hand over the other ON the
rope. When the Hat containing about GO men
reached the middle of the river, the men who
were pulling by the ropes suddenly and unac.
cuuntably loosoned their hold on the rope ut
the same time and the strong current swept
them Immediately out of reach of the rope
and towards the other one by which the artil-
| lery was being crossed. The situation was crit
ical. but had the men on shore aud ON the boat
remained cool and passed carefully under the
| lower rope the danger might have been aveTted,
as there was sharp turn In the river below,
and the Hat would have drifted ashore, as did
| the upturned fat at last. Unfortunately, how
| ever, the men became excited aud some of the
! men on shore called to them TO catch the lower
rope, aud as they neared Ii number did grasp
| IL, thinking tn stay their progress. But this
! act had directly the contrary effect. for the
| boat upset, or rather ran directly from under
| them, precipitatng the men beadloug into the
| stream.
Unfortunately again, the men were heavily
| loaded with their accouterments. aud many OF
| them had their guns sluug across their should
| ers, rendering swimming impossible, while
| many AS they fell together added To their peril
| by instinctvey graspinE their comrades for 81 p
| port aud so supporter aud supported were car
| ried down. few managed to reach the
shore. among whom Was Lieut.. Pierson. while
| others chung to the upturned boat aud the rope
| until relieved; but Capt, Alexander, his Or
| derby aud 81 other men were carried to the
| bottom and were drowned. The regiment re-
maiued in the vicinity for few days aud re-
covered nearly all the bodies, which were do
Gently inferred.
Considerable blame was bestowed on Lieut.
Col Babcock nc the time. for loading the fiat
80 heavily and for not causing the men TO take
| off their aeeouteTments on entering the Hat
but Nh inquiry ordered by Con. Carter entirely
exonorated him aud all others from blame.
The 9th N. j. was nine.months regiment
| and IL was but short TIME before the term o
| enlistment expired aud to perish thus after es
! Gaping the bullets of the foe was sad indeed
but they were patriots none the less becAus,
they lost their lives under the river tides. will
aTmor on. rather than ia the amoke OF battle
| They died in their Natisn's cause, and left thu
martyrs heritage to ali who held them dear
NATHANIEL X. BgAY, Co ID, 9Th N. j., Branch
| villa ~ I