The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-14

- sa1 the expedition,
- @Ssrand severe penal
ties were threatened in case the order
should be disobeyed.
1t was we'll known that the move.
ment was against Vicksburg, but the
bravest reporter feared to defy that
oder.
As some time passed without news
Of Sherman's army, the "Blue Wing"
was sent down with communications,
but she was captured by the Confed-
crates.
The Government finally decided to
send down two gunboats, and the
"White Cloud,' wooden steamer.
/ at once asked the privilege of load
ing the white Cloud" with sanitary
supplies. Mr.. Plattsnburg, agent of
the Sanitary Commission, who was
also at Helena, had heavy lot of sup.
plies,
As had pass for myself and all
goods, from the Secretary of War, ]
had no trouble in securing passage
on the ".Whlte Cloud.n do not recall
as to how Mr.. Mr. Plattenburg secured
the privilege of going with the little
| expedition; ! only know that he went,
and that the boat was loaded with our
supplies.
| Thousands of soldiers were about
| the Landing when our little fleet NOV.
ed out with banners flying. We all
knew that untold dangers were before
us. And our heroism in Drawing the
dangers created the greatest enthusi-
asm. When the white Cloudn moved
out in the channel, and turned her
prov down stream, stepped out ION.
the guards" to take last look at
Helena. My appearance was greeted
with such an outburst of applause from
| the thousands on the wharf that fled
to the cabin. after waving my handkcr-
chief in acknowledgment of the salute.
We we're fred into several times
from the banks. Whenever we reached
point of special danger, the White
Cloud was sent eight or ten miles in
advance so as to draw the enemy's fire,
and thus uncover his batteries, for it
was not likely that if the gunboats
were in sight we would be attacked.
Every moment, night and day, we were
in expectation Of shot or shell from
some concealed battery from the shore.
But they had been forewarned that the
gunboats were coming, and so did not
attempt to capture the White Cloud.
| The sharp-shooters on the shore fired
/ into US again and again. No one was
Killed, but sleep and rest were impos-
sible.
We reached Milliken's bend one
morning about daylight, to find Gen.
Sherman's army quartered there.
There was great fleet of boats and
the sick and wounded were on them. Al
tug boat was detailed to me and went
with my supplies from boat to boat.
distributing such comfort and delica-
cies as had, to the men who had been
wounded in the fight near Vicksburg.
1t was decided by the medical author
tiles to send a steamer up the river
with load of the wounded, at once.
The City of Memphis, the largest
steamer on the Mississippi river, was
selected for this purpose. A regi'
ment and battery were removed from
the boat and she was put in order;that
| Is, the filth was shoveled overheard.
was told by Chaplain at the
time there were SO many of our men
dying, that the firing Of salutes ovei
their graves was ordered discontinued.
During the afternoon the boat was
loaded up with the worst patients on
the several boats. They were placed
in the berths, and under the berths,
! and on the floor, and out on the guards.
I Wherever there was a place where a
| few fever stricken, or q torn and brokl
en- body could be laid, it was occupied.
Seven hundred and fifty were put on.
i board.
The sun was sinking behind the long
low line of cypress trees, festooned
with their trailing MOSES, when our
boat turned her PROV up the Missis-
sippi river. And never in the history
of wars did the timbers of steamer
| bear up such load of despair and
agony and death, as did the .tCity of
| Memphis" as with heart of fire and
breath OF steam heslowly made her
way against the dark, treachercus tides
of the lower Mississippi river.
Long rows Of men laid on the floor
with their knapsacks for their pillows.
Among them was Missouri soldier
severely wounded and delirious, who
all the night long called piteously for
his sister
His cry, "Oh-sis-terl" was so plain.
tive and pathetic would go to him
every little while and ask:
IN What do you want2''
i am glad you have come II want
drink of water.n
When the water was given he would
remain quiet for little time.
The next morning. as soon as it was
light, he was taken to the amputating
table and one Of his limbs sawed on
above the knee.