The National tribune., 1898-06-16
BURNING OF THE GEN. LYON.
A Disaster in Which Many Union Ex-
Prisoners Perished.

Editor National Tribune: / was an eye
witness to the burning of the U. S. S.
General Lyon off Cape HatteTas. During
the Winter of 1864 '65, / was on detached
duty at Todd Barracks, Columbus, D.
In the latter part of March, 1865, | was de-
tailed with about 40 others, under Capt.
Reed to help guard 300 recruits 10 SheT-
mans army, he being at that time in
North Carolina.
We went to New York City, and took
passage on the Admiral Dupont and arrived
at Wilmington, n. c.. in due time.
Spending one day and night in that
poverty stricken city, the escort were
ready to return. There were two vessels
living at the dock, the General Lyon and
the General Sedgwick, which were TO go
down Cape Fear River that evening. We
took transportation ON the Sedgwlck, the
LYON being too crowded for us.
That evening both vessels went down
the river to Fort Fisher, and lay until the
next day about 10 o'clock when the Sedg-
wick got under way to New York. We
passed the Lyon in mailing distance.
We saw no more of her until the morning
she was destroyed. About 10 o'clock my
self and one of my comrades were standing
on the hurricane deck holding to some
ropes, the sea being so rough. The Cap
tain. standing by the man at the wheel,
cried out in a loud voice to the other OFF,
GERS: "Ship afirep' ALI was connection
on board.
At first one could not observe anything
with the naked eye, but in a few minutes
our vessel running with all possible speed,
came in full view of the burning vessel.
l heard the Captain cry out 70 the second
5s9cer: Its the Lyon He left the pilot
house and ordered the hfeboats lowered,
| but cOuntermanded the order, saying no
boat could live in that sea.
saw the mast 60 overheard smOkestack
| fall into the sea, and the flames leap high
caI hot hnF mil
never be my lot to see again. AGO men,
women, and children, all perish but u
who were saved on our vessel. Our vessel
could not get nearer than half mile, the
burning vessel being so near the breakers.
Fortunately the wind waited the helpless
people towards us. Some were clinging to-
various parts of the vessel. Only one OF
the Lyons boats reached our vessel 1t
contained six white men and one cOlored,
the Captains waiter. All seven were
saved the six white men first and then
the negro. The first words spoken by
anyone of the seven came from the negro,
who said: God help the poor women and
children"
| remember of three men nearing the
vessel. The ropes were thrown to them,
and while they were drawn on board one
of them cried, Save me, boys; I'm a
Major" At that instant his hold gave
way, and he sank TO rise no more. My
understanding at the time he was the
Major of the Seth Ill. | know there was
four at least of that regiment saved.
The Lyon had on board about 200 Union
ex-prisoners that Sherman had released
in North Carolina.
had seen some of them go on board at
Wilmington The life was so near starved
out of the poor fellows they had to be led
on board Not one was left to tell the tale.
After the Lyon had burnt to the waters
edge the Sedgwick steamed for New York
III. Glassco, 32d Ohio,
Heitt 0.