The steamer "Sultana" was built at Cincinnati, Ohio, January of 1863, and was registered at 1,719 tons. She was a regular St. Louis and New Orleans packet, and left the latter port on her fatal trip April 21, 1865, arriving at Vicksburg, Mississippi, with about two hundred passengers and crew on board. She remained here little more than one day, among other things, repairing one of her boilers, at the same time receiving on board 1,965 federal soldiers and 35 officers just released from the rebel prisons at Cahaba, Alabama, Macon and Andersonville, Georgia, and belongings to the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Besides these, there were two companies of infantry under arms, making a grand total of 2,300 souls on board, besides a number of mules and horses, and over one hundred hogsheads of sugar, the latter being in the hold of the boat and served as ballast.

After leaving Helena, the "Sultana" arrived about seven o'clock p.m., on the 26th of April at Memphis, Tennessee. There, many of the exchanged prisoners helped the crew unload the sugar, making a little money for themselves. Around midnight, after the sugar was unloaded, the "Sultana" steamed across the river where she took on her supply of coal. She started up the frigid and swollen Mississippi River, headed for Cairo, Illinois.

The night was calm and serene, providing a pleasant passage for the soldiers who were leaving the horrors of their incarceration far behind them. No doubt many were either thinking or dreaming of returning home and into the arms of their loved ones.

Around two o'clock a.m. the "Sultana" was passing through a group of islands called the "Old Hen and Chickens." When the steamer was almost opposite of Tagleman's Landing, one of her boilers exploded and instantaneously caught fire. Fragments of the boiler cut the cabin and hurricane deck in two. Many of the splintered pieces of the cabin and deck fell back upon the now exposed burning coal fires, burning up like tinder. It didn't take long before the entire boat was engulfed in flames, burning down to the waterline, and sinking.

Hundreds of the men were forced into the water where they drowned. Those who could swim were unable to free themselves from those who could not swim, consequently they drowned together.

Some of the men found fragments of the wreck which provided an opportunity to escape and save their lives, crossing to the bank where the river was three miles wide at this spot. But those who did make it to the banks of the Mississippi then fought off exposure from the icy-cold water. Many died from exposure, some too weak to climb out of the water once they reached the bank.

Among the passengers on board were twelve ladies, most of them belonging to the Christian commission, an association akin to that of the sanitary commission of the Army of the Potomac. One of these ladies, with more than ordinary courage, when the flames at last drove all the men from the boat, seeing them fighting like demons in the water in the mad endeavor to save their lives, actually destroying each other and themselves by their wild actions, talked to them, urging them to be men, and finally succeeded in getting them quieted down, clinging to the ropes and chains that hung over the bow of the boat. The flames now began to lap around her with their fiery tongues. The men pleaded and urged her to jump into the water and thus save herself, but she refused, saying: "I might lose my presence of mind and be the means of the death of some of you." And so, rather than run the risk of becoming the cause of the death of a single person, she folded her arms quietly over her bosom and burned, a voluntary martyr to the men she had so lately quieted.

On December 30,1885, at a convention called in Fostoria, Ohio, there was a committee appointed, consisting of A. C. BROWN, P. L. HORN, William. FIES, A. W. KING, and G. N. CLINGER, to prepare a suitable memorial and present the same to Congress, praying for a pension for each of the survivors of the lost "Sultana."

A court of inquiry was thereupon ordered by Major General C. C. WASHBURNE (sic), commanding district of West Tennessee, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the burning of the "Sultana."

On April 30, 1865, the Secretary of War instructed Brevet Brigadier General William HOFFMAN pictured at right, commissary-general of prisoners, to inquire into the circumstances of the destruction of the steamer referred to, which officer, on May 19, 1865, made his report. Brevet Brigadier General HOFFMAN stated that when the "Sultana" left her port of Saint Louis, Missouri, her boilers were in good condition. However within ten hours of her run, a lead began in one of the boilers, which was repaired at Vicksburg by a competent boiler-maker. He was unable to question Mr. CLEMMANS, the engineer who was on watch at the time of the explosion as Mr. CLEMMANS was fatally scalded.

Brevet Brigadier General HOFFMAN stated, " There is nothing to show that there was any careening of the boat at the time of the disaster, or that she was running fast; on the contrary, it is shown that she was running evenly and not fast."

By order of General WASHBURN, a piece of the boiler obtained from the wreck was examined. It appeared to have been broken off from the bottom of the boiler, the breadth of a sheet of iron, and torn to near the top of the boiler, tearing like a sheet of paper, at times through the rivet holes, then through the middle of the sheet of iron. Although the engineers aboard the "Sultana" believed the boilers were full of water, this retrieved piece of the boiler appeared to have been exposed to the fire at the bottom and not protected by water.

Brevet Brigadier General HOFFMAN also observed that a boiler may burst from an overpressure of steam when full of water due to a defect in the iron. In this case, the iron would tear which results in the same effect as an explosion. He stated, "What is usually understood as the explosion of a boiler is caused by the sudden development of intense steam by the water coming in contact with red-hot iron, which produces an effect like the firing of gunpowder in a mine, and the destruction of the boilers and the boat that carries them is the consequence."

Brevet Brigadier General HOFFMAN also concluded that the "Sultana" had taken on men and cargo, combined, which exceeded her capacity. He noted, " The reports and testimony show that there were 1,866 troops on board the boat, including 33 paroled officers; one officer who had resigned, and the captain in charge of the guard. Of these, 765, including 16 officers, were saved, and 1,101, including 19 officers, were lost. There were 70 cabin passengers and 85 crew on board, of whom some 13 to 18 were saved, giving the loss of 137; making the total loss 1,238."

In the official list the names seem to have been taken without reference to rank or State they were from; sometimes, apparently, a squad from one company or regiment would be taken together, but often it was the case that they were all mixed up. In other cases many were left out; for instance, a sergeant came to me [Rev. Chester D. BERRY] and asked to see the official list. It was shown him. " Why," said he, " there are but ten of my company reported here and I know there were eighteen of us." This has been true in quite a number of cases.

HELMINGER, J., Company B of 50th Ohio Infantry, New Sharon, Iowa

OXLEY, Stewart, Company I of 51st Ohio Infantry, Burr Oak, Iowa

PERKINS, F. M., Company E of 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Parkersburg, Iowa

RHODES, Abraham, Company I of 6th Kentucky Cavalry, Kellerton, Iowa

SAYER, S. K., Mt. Union, Iowa

Jacob HELMINGER was born in Allen county, Ohio, in 1839, enlisted in the service of the United States, at Huston, Ohio, August 1, 1862, in Company B, 50th Ohio Infantry. He was captured at Franklin, Tennessee, on November 30, 1864, and confined in the Cahaba prison. Pvt. HELMINGER stated:

The loss of the "Sultana," on the morning of the 27th day of April, 1865, will remain fresh in the minds of the survivors as long as life lasts. I have seen men shot down in battle, treated like brutes while prisoners of war, but the explosion of the "Sultana" caused the greatest horror I ever witnessed. In giving my experience in the affair I will not attempt to give the experience of others, for each one had all he could do to look out for himself. A few of my own company and myself were sleeping on top of the hurricane deck. In my sleep I heard a noise and felt a terrible jar of the boat. In an instant I was wide awake, and before I could realize what had happened my comrades were also on their feet. Smoke and steam had already taken possession of the boat, and we were not long in perceiving the situation of affairs. I stepped where I could see and looked at my watch, and I think it was about two o'clock. This watch I brought out with me and have it yet. We now saw that the boat was on fire. Many of the injured ones were screaming and groaning. I told my comrades to remain there, while I went down on the next floor to see if there was anything we could use as a raft, and if so I would return to them and we would at once aim to make our escape. I had great difficulty in getting below, every body and everything being in the way, and finally, after getting there, I found nothing but what was already in the hands of someone or thrown overboard with perhaps a hundred men contesting for its possession. I then made my way back on the hurricane deck, but found the boys I had left there gone or scattered, and saw nothing more of them until after daylight, finding all of them at Memphis but one. This was G. W. SHEARER of my company. He has never been heard from and can only be accounted for as one among the lost; about seventeen hundred (1700) brave soldiers that found watery graves.

I then saw that none could assist each other but that each would have to look out for himself, and that I would have to watch my chance and make my escape - To jump into the water just at that time would have been certain death, for the river looked to me like a solid mass of men. Some appeared to be swimming away, others trying to get back to the boat, while others were drowning, and not only themselves but pulling others under with them. Some were praying, some swearing, while others appeared quite calm and only looking for a favorable opportunity to get away. I heard the captain of the boat giving a command. He told us to come to order, that the hull was not hurt and we would land. Now, if the fire could be put out I would have thought this order very advisable, but I conld see no possibility of stopping the flames unless they were quenched by water.

The fire had now become so great a person could see a considerable distance each way from the boat. The crowd in the water had also scattered, so I began to muster my courage and prepare to leap overboard. I had great confidence in myself as a swimmer, and hoped to make shore if I was not interfered with by drowning people or getting cramped. All the clothes I had on was my pants, shirt and socks. This had been my night dress, and I concluded to swim as I was. I was ignorant of the distance to either shore and thinking, perhaps, it was not over three or four hundred yards either way I would take the Tennessee shore, I looked for a clear spot and made a final leap. When I came to the surface I looked around to see if any one was near me, and seeing there was not all I had to contend with was the mighty waters of the Mississippi. I now put in my best efforts and pulled for the shore; I imagined myself making great speed for a while, but finally noticed I was drifting down below the boat. I could see at once that the current of the river was against me, and thought I would try for the opposite or Arkansas side. This effort was also a defeat. Somehow the current worked against me in this direction more than in the other.

I headed down the stream and could see some lights, not knowing what and where they were, and resolved to steer for them. I had not gone far until I noticed an object of some kind in the water ahead of me. I kept my eyes on it, and after awhile heard some one talking in that direction and so called to them. They answered and told me to come to them, so I did my best and after awhile caught up with them. It proved to be a large plank capable of holding from four to six men, while there was only two upon it. They invited me on board with them and of course I accepted. My new companions appeared quite cheerful, under the circumstances, and one of them said the lights ahead of us was Memphis, and on nearing them found that our comrade was right.

It did not take long for our plank to slide down the river, opposite the wharf. A man came to us with a skiff and landed us on shore. It was now daylight and the wharf was already crowded with people, all anxious to know the cause of the explosion. Of course we could give no reason, or at least I could not, and in fact I did not feel like talking for I was so benumbed with cold that I felt very little interest in anything or anyone. I have never been a whiskey drinker, but on this occasion drank nearly a pint at a time given me by a ferry-boat captain.

I am a carpenter by trade. Postoffice address, New Sharon, Iowa.

  George B. McCORD was born in Erie county, Ohio, April 8, 1844. "My childhood days were spent in Erie and Sandusky counties, Ohio. I attended school in Bellevue, Clyde and Fremont, Ohio, and after the war in Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. [I] enlisted in the service of the United States at Sandusky county, Ohio, as a private in Company G, 111th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and mustered into service at Camp Toledo by Capt. Howard, United States Army, [and] received the appointment of orderly sergeant, and afterwards promoted to first lieutenant and placed in command of Company F.

[I] passed through many spirited and exciting battles and experienced many long and fatiguing marches through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Was in the siege of Knoxville and battles in that vicinity, Atlanta campaign and battles along the line. I was captured at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, in October, 1864, made my escape and was hunted down by blood hounds and returned to the prison at Cahaba. Alabama. From there was sent to Andersonville, Georgia. After remaining there about six months was taken to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where we were comfortably clothed and properly fed. We remained there about thirty days and then boarded the ill-fated steamer "Sultana." Everything moved along quietly and pleasantly until we passed Memphis, Tennessee.

I was quietly sleeping on a cot in the cabin at the time of the explosion. Was wounded, and today carry scars caused thereby. Some of my companions who were sleeping near me were instantly killed. I jumped into the water. First swimming back and taking hold of the side wheel I held on to it long enough to remove some of my clothing so that I could swim easier. I then struck out with a determination to save my life, and was only out of reach when that immense wheel that I had been holding to fell over into the water, taking with it quite a number of persons to their watery grave. After swimming some distance and making several hair-breadth escapes from drowning men and horses I came across a stage plank floating as a life preserver for ten or more persons, one of whom was an engineer of said boat and who appeared to have control of the plank. An invitation from the engineer to catch on was quickly accepted and I peacefully floated along with them. We remained in the water until after daylight when we were picked up by the steamer "Jennie Lind" and were landed in safety at Memphis, Tennessee. One man was lost from the plank but ten lives were saved by it. Their names I am unable to give. Capt. TAGGART and myself, by permission of Gen. WASHBURN, boarded the next steamer for Cairo, Illinois, and from there by rail to Indianapolis, thence to Columbus, Ohio, where, a few weeks later, we were honorably discharged from the service. After visiting friends and relations in different parts of Ohio I went to Iowa, being at one time sheriff of Marshall county. Have had the usual experience of a western sheriff of shooting and being shot. Many men are now languishing within the walls of the penitentiary that surrendered only after a desperate struggle and, overpowered by me, were compelled to give in. Have been badly wounded and at one time my wounds were considered fatal, but have nearly recovered and am now in reasonably good health.

I am at present employed in the bank of Hanford. My present postoffice address, Hanford, California.

Stewart OXLEY was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 20th day of May 1842. He enlisted in the service of the United States, November 18, 1861, in Company I of the 51st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at "Camp Meigs," in Tuscarawas county, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He was taken prisoner near Dallas, Georgia, May 26, 1864, and confined at Selma and Cahaba, Alabama, and Meridian, Mississippi, until about the 10th of March, 1865, when we came into God's country at the Big Black river bridge, near Vicksburg, Mississppi. "In dividing off into companies at Vicksburg, I was tented with some of the 50th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry boys, and one, Albert HUNTER, of the 10th Ohio Cavalry, and I were bunk-mates, and when we went aboard the steamer "Sultana" we took our places on the cabin stoop on the left or west side, just to the rear and next to the cabin door. One or the other of us was there all the time. I was sick at the time and was seldom away from our place of abode. On the afternoon of April 26th we arrived at Memphis, Tennessee. Just about the time we started from Memphis we spread our blankets and lay down to rest and sleep. I went to sleep very soon as I have no remembrance of anything after that until I was strangling in the water. I never felt or heard the explosion, or anything that transpired at the time of the wreck (which occurred about two o'clock on the morning of the 27th of April, about seven or eight miles above Memphis), farther than my striking on a piece of the wreck. In my struggle I got hold of the piece of wrecking and started on my lonely voyage of seven or eight miles with the current as a moving power. Soon after I became aware there was a man on the other end of my craft. Up to this time I could not imagine what had happened that I should be in the water. My companion told me that the boat was on fire. I did not remember anything after this until we came opposite to Memphis, and while passing near the gunboat anchored in the river, I think one or the other of us must have shouted and given the alarm. About four o'clock in the morning some of the boat's crew overtook us and we were taken out of the water. In all this time I did not suffer in mind or body nor was I sensible of my danger or surroundings. I don't think I made any effort to save myself at all. After I was taken into the boat (I don't remember as they picked up any more before we got to the gunboat or not, but think they did not), they started back for the gunboat. As we were put on to the deck the surgeon poured a glass of whiskey down each one and the men of the crew took off our wet clothing, cut down their hammocks for us to lie on, and did everything possible for our comfort. The gunboat soon got under way and after doing all that could be done they came to and landed us at Memphis. I was carried on a stretcher to the Overton Hospital where I remained four weeks, less one day. My ribs on one side were cracked and broken, my back was badly injured, and the right side of my face and head scalded."

In the list of those saved I could never find the name of HUNTER who was sleeping on the same blanket with me, and I never learned the name of the comrade that was on the piece of wreckage with me."

Of my suffering and good nursing and kind treatment by the good Sisters while in the hospital and my journey home, for want of space, I must pass over. I arrived at "Camp Chase," Ohio, May 28, 1865, and was discharged from the service the next day.

[I am] engaged in farming and mechanical labor; my post-office address, Burr Oak, Iowa."

  Samuel J. THRASHER of Company G of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry said of Abraham RHODES from Kellerton, Iowa, "On the evening of the 25th of April, 1865, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, I was put on board the ill-fated "Sultana," which steamed up the great "Father of Waters," until it reached Memphis, Tennessee, where it landed and put off some freight, then went up the river to the coal yard, coaled for Cairo, I11., and then after proceeding about seven miles the boiler of the boat exploded. This occurred on the 27th of April, 1865, at about half-past two A. M., there being on board at the time 1,966 paroled soldiers, a part of whom were killed by the explosion and others crippled or maimed.

When the steamer caught fire almost every one on board became frightened. [I] could not swim and thought [my] chance for life was slim, and stood holding to a small rope to keep the men from crowding him overboard. A comrade, Abraham RHODES, here said if we would not get excited we could save ourselves. After the crowd quit surging so there was no danger of being knocked overboard, we got the cable rope and made it fast in the rings on the bow of the boat and threw it over into the water. We then made a large chain fast in the same way and threw it over. When the heat became so intense we could not stay on the boat any longer we went down into the water, under the bow of the boat, holding to the rope and chain until the cabin burned down. There were several swimming around and when they saw the chain and rope they laid hold of it. After the cabin had burned down, those who had got into the river prepared to swim, having on only shirt and drawers, climbed back on the boat and threw down a rope which we put under our arms and they drew us up to the hull of the burning steamer. After all were back on the hull we went to work and put out the fire, so that it would not sink so quickly.

As we were drifting down the river we struck a grove of saplings. We had made a small raft out of the timbers of the boat and ran out a line, made fast to a sapling and stopped the boat or hull. Some of my unfortunate companions went out to a house that was surrounded by water, got a large hewed log and fastened it to the raft, brought it in and took out as many as twelve at a time by lying flat across the log. The raft made some three or four trips before all were taken off. The writer and one of the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry were the last to leave the boat, and had not been off the hull but a short time when it went down. After a while a picket boat came up and took us back to Memphis where we were cared for in the hospital. From there we went by boat to Cairo, Ill., and then to Louisville, Ky., then to Nashville, where I was mustered out on the 23rd day of July, 1865.

SIMEON D. CHELF of Company G of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry, stated of Abraham RHODES from Kellerton, Iowa, [after his rescue] "We were landed at Memphis and taken to the Soldiers' Home. All the clothing I had was a rebel hat, calico shirt, and a pair of red flannel drawers. Abraham RHODES and I slept on a newspaper so as to keep our clothes clean. We remained there eight or ten days. After we drew our clothing we were put on a boat and started for Cairo, Illinois. There we stopped at the Soldier's Rest, afterward boarded a train and ran up to Mattoon, where the citizens had provided plenty for us to eat. From there we went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where we were treated well by the citizens. From Terre Haute to Indianapolis, where we received a good supply of bacon and beans. Our next stopping place was Columbus, Ohio, where we stopped over night in Tod Barracks, and the following morning started for "Camp Chase" where we were discharged from the service."

While walking up the street we met a man who had a boiled shirt and he asked Abraham RHODES, "What regiment is this?" He answered, "No regiment at all; just a detail of WILSON's cavalry sent down the Mississippi river to catch alligators."

SOURCE: BERRY, Rev. Chester D.Loss of the "Sultana" and Reminiscences of Survivors: History of a Disaster Where Over One Thousand Five Hundred Human Beings Were Lost, Most of Them Being Exchanged Prisoners of War on Their Way home After Privation and Suffering From One to Twenty-Three Months in Cahaba and Andersonville Prisons Pp. 7-13, 90-91, 170-72, 241-43, 280, 422, 424-25. Darius D. Throp, Printer & Binder. Lansing, Michigan. 1892.

Photographs courtesy Library of Congress

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009