The National tribune., 1900-05-10
SULTANA DISASTER.
A Survivor Tells of a Terrible
Experience and His Escape.
BY B. F. JOHNSTON.

Mississippi River took place on the morn,
ing of April 81, 1866. Over 2.2oo paroled
just been released from Southern prisons,
many of them physical wrecks, but with
joyful hearts in anticipation OF soon meet
ing the dear ones at home. -,
Being one of the fortunate ones, will
give my own experience, which may be
acceptable TO all readers and also the means
of finding the address of others who sur,
yive, which will afford me the greatest
pleasure.
/ was with a detachment of 200, being
the second that had left AnderSonvllle In
boX-carS on the evening OF March %, 1868,
arriving at Columbus, Ga, on the morn
ing of the 26th, where we stopped long
enough to cook such rations as we had:
Leaving there about O'Clock we arrived
at night at Montgomery, Ala, where we
STAYED all night Next morning We were
transferred to steamboat on the Alabama
River, which carried us to Salem Il think;
then, taking the cars again, We arrived at
night at Meridian, Miss, and We're put
in a prison-pen until morning. Next
morning we were aboard the cars again,
and arrived at jackson, Miss, about II
O'Clock, noon. Leaving the cars, we We're
obliged 10 ford Pearl River, the water up
nearly to our arm-pitS. After going d
short distance We were halted, and went
into camp until the next morning, without
shelter, our clothes wet and clinging to
locate our camp in the edge of the woods,
so we We're able to get wood TO make needed
fires, and we passed the afternoon and
night very comfortably. after drying our
clothes standing by the fire.
Next morning (29th) we We're placed
under a rebel escort, consisting OF three
mounted cayalrymen, and started on foot
for Nicksburg, where We arrived safely on
the morning Of April 1. AT Big Black
River our names We're called as we passed
onto a pontoon-bridge TO cross over, and
then We went into camp, under the pro-
lection Of Uncle Sam as TO the receiving
of clothing and rations, though the camp
was in charge of a rebel Major.
We remained there in Camp Fisk until
April "a, when we received marching
orders for Nicksburg, four miles distant,
and arrived there about 4 p. m. The
steamer Sultana was lying at the wharf
to receive us. We marched on her in
fours, filling up the boat as We marched.
1t was my good fortune TO be near the
rear of the column, and on arriving on the
lower deck | found the boat so densefy
packed with more than 1000 soldiers, that
the only unoccupied room was on the bow
of the boat, where the only covering was
the canopy Of heaven.
After some little delay we showed out
from VickSburg. In addition to the sol
diers, which included two companies Of
infantry, there were between 200 and 300
hogsheads of sugar and several horses and
mules on board, filling every part of the
vessel, and testing its capacity to the
utmost. After sailing up the Mississippi
for 80 hours We arrived at Helena on the
morning Of the 26th. The boat was pho
tographed with her decks covered with
soldiers. Leaving there about 8 a. m,
We arrived at Memphis at sunset, and
remained there until 10 o. clock that night
During this time we unloaded the hogs
heads of sugar.
At the above hour we again showed out
and sailed across and up the river about
four miles, to some coal bargeS, for a supply
of coal to last until the boat arrived at
Cairo. We left there about o clock on the
morning of the 9th. We had gone about
two miles farther up river when the eX-
plosion came with a report exceeding any
artillery that had ever heard, and-I had
heard some that was very heavy, especially
at Gettysburg. From the effect of the
explosion the upper decking and the smoke
stack fell, crushing and imprisoning hun
dreds of the poor sleeping soldiers, leaving
them to burn TO death, for the boat was
quickly on fire.
Like most of the soldiers was asleep at
the time, and it was a rude awakening.
! arose instantly, and Just asI did a piece of
hard coal as large as goose egg passed
the right side OF my face, grazing the ear,
and lighting upon the bundle of clothing
l was using as pillow, set it on fire. 1t
was from the smoke-stack, which was
then falling Putting the fire out, the
next thing / noticed was a dead comrade
lying at my feet, he having been thrown
there, with his arm extended, having
struck upon his face.
After putting on my army shoes, arose
TO my feet. was never less excited n.my
life. Why, | cannot explain, as | am
naturally of an eXcitable temperament.
Language is inadequate to draw a true
picture of the scene before me. The boat
on fra comrades hggrry-iV,Sr hi+bar nd
thither, clasping and wringing their hands;
others Shrieking and groaning, and calling
upon God TO save them. / spoke to those
near me, and told them the only salvation
for them was to keep cool; but my remarks
were without effect.
After Witnessing this scene for some time,
observed that some Of the comrades were
jumping into the river. 10 rise no more.
The FIRE was making headway toward the
bow, and as the comrades were getting
thinued out, | began TO look to find a favor
able place and opportunity to leave the
boat. l diyested myself Of my blouse
and shoes, keeping on two woolen
shirts, woOlen pants, drawers and socks.
/ then took from my blouse pocket an
ambrotype picture Of my wife and son,
which 1 had carried since | had been a
prisoner, and put 1t in my trousers pocket
so if Twas drowned and my body recovered,
that would identify me.
Everything now being ready, j placed
my left hand on the bulwark Of the boat
when thought the right moment had come
and jumped into the river, feet first, going
down as far as my weight could carry me
On coming TO the surface / commenced u
swim for the shore, which ! could family
discover by the light of the burning boat
After being in the water for some time
saw piece OF fence-board, about six inches
wide and six or seven feet long, floating
down the river on my front. Securing
this, and placing it under my breast, me
with no further difficulty until / reached
what supposed TO be the main land; bu
IL proved TO be an island, over which th'
waters poured 10 the depth of Is feet during
the Spring freShets, and We were now in tn
midst Of one Of these inundations.
j found il very difficult 10 get out Of tn
water. My clothing, which had been {
help prior TO this time, was now a detrimen
because Of its weight. The trees which
! approached were probably eight inche
IN diameter, the lower limbs, which ] coul,
reach, We're small and dry, and were no
strong enough to hold my weight, as
strOVe TO pull myself out of the water
. neither was there sufficient strength in IN,
arms 10 enable me to climb out by EN-
bracing the trBnk Of a tEee.
Being obliged 10 remain in the water
holding fast 10 tree for some time, | be
gan TO get cold and sleepy. My judg
ment told me that this would never do
must not go - sleep-so l concluded I
try another tree, but found the condition
no better. After trying third one, an