The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-05-25
tie government made that as an argu-

ate government made that as an argu-
ment to the prisoners through their Of
ficers, if they would enlist in their
ranks and take the oath Of allegiance
to their government, they would be
placed in their ranks and treated as
their own soldiers. To the credit of
those men who were on the eve of
starvation, death staring them In the
face with a few EXCEPTIONS, refused
and spurnei the offer.
Such We're some of those who were
lost i'm that disaster. 1t was when
their hopes We're at the highest. that
in a few days they would meet their
friends and loved ones. this calamity
came and they were called into etern-
ity-all through the carelessness of the
officers at Vicksburg In placing three
times the number of people on the boat
that the boat could safely carry.
The river on that memorable morn
ing was at its height, covering the
country for miles around. The rise
was from the Missouri and tlN upper
Mississippi Rivers, and MS cold as it
naturally would be at that season of
the year and the source from which it
came.
Few of the bodies of those who met
their death were ever recovered, but
floated on down the river and were
buried in the sand or went on down
and out into the gulf. it is with sad
ness that we look back in our memory
at that trying hour and are reminded
of the fact that our comrades who
were unable to stem the current and
bodies were left to the elements, that
destroyed them. to despise at its will.
Sentiment has a great deal to do
with life. Our government has done a
great many sentimental things and
practical things. likewise. The Sol
diers' Monument, and all monuments.
are in sense sentimental, and at the
same time practical. 1t speaks as a
remembrance of the actions of men or
nations. A soldiers monument instills
country. While the country has done
great many things for those who
participated in the Rebellion. I be-
lieve that there is one thing left I'M
done. That is, they should have taken
a practical notice Of that event. Of the
loss of the Sultana. by placing suitable
remembrance of that disaster as me-
mortal in notable place in the coun-
try. and by way of suggestion | would
say Arlington Cemetery at Washington
City.
The government took notice of 1t on
April 80. 1865. Hon. +. NJ. Stanton
Secretary of War, instructed Brevt
Brigadier Hoffman, Commissioner
General Of Prisoners. to inquire into
the circumstances of the destruction of
the steamer referred to. The officer
on May 10. 1865. made report and
amongst other things he said: Upon
careful consideration of all the facts
as presented in the testimony herewith
submitted, l am Of tine opinion thai
the shipment of so large a number OF
troops QS66 on one boat under the
circumstances. unnecessary. unjustifi
able, and great outrage on the troops
and that there were four officers nam
ing them Who were responsible for
the number of troops on an unsuitable
| vessel" To my knowledge. that was
| the only thing that has ever been done
hy tho government i'm mat matter and
at this date. believe it would be wise
and just that such notable event OF
| the war should be recognized and
placed in It's proper place in the an
rals of our country.
JOSEPH T. ELLIOT.
indianapolis.
Late Second Lieutenant Company c
124th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer
Infantry "