STATEMENT OF PRIVATE R. H. SIMPSON, COMPANY I, NINETEENTH INDIANA.
I went to sleep about 2 o'clock and was awakened in about half an hour by hot water falling on my face and hands. I was not struck by anything nor scalded, but remained on the boat until the flames compelled me to leave. I then ran up on the cabin floor, snatched off a door and then made my way down to the lower deck and jumped into the river. By the light of the burning steamer I could see hundreds of the passengers in the water, all crying and wailing for help. I swam for about one mile and a half, and when I got to the island, just opposite Mr. Fogleman's, there I caught hold of the bushes. I saw three men drown while I was in the water. One of them had gained the trees and was holding to the limbs; a skiff was fast coming to his help, but being utterly exhausted he lost his hold and sank, when the skiff was about ten steps off. The other two had almost gained the bushes, but sank before they could reach the trees.
An event so appalling as this could not occur even at a time when the country was accustomed to hear of the deaths of great numbers of men, without action upon the part of the government looking to the investigation of its cause. A military committee and a committee upon the part of Congress were appointed for that purpose. Both committees, no doubt, discharged with fairness and ability the duty assigned them. There were many theories and rumors as to the cause. Rumor charged that the Post Quartermaster at Vicksburg, by a contract with the owners of the vessel, received a commission of $2.00 for each soldier passenger furnished, and for that consideration he had recklessly crowded the vessel beyond her capacity. It was also charged that the machinery was out of repair, and the vessel generally unseaworthy.
The investigation, however, disclosed the fact that before leaving Vicksburg her boilers had been repaired by competent mechanics; that the charge against the Quartermaster was untrue; that the disaster was not due to the fact that the vessel was carrying more than her estimated capacity. The writer has not been able to obtain the report made by either of the committees as to the true cause of the explosion.
Among the lost were men from every company of the 9th Cavalry. The following list may not be complete, but is believed to be correct so far as it goes:
Daniel Curtis, Co. A
Patrick Day, Co. A.
Frederick Blessinger, Corp., Co. B.
Charles E. Church, Co. B.
Ephraim B. Parman, Co. B.
John Steward, Co. B.
Warren A. Huckins, Co. C.
John M. Englehart, Co. C.
Edward Wood, Co. D.
Thomas Laboyteaux, Co. E.
John Bonner, Co. F.
Charles W. Clevenger, Co. G.
Jonathan R. Downing, Co. G.
George Downing, Co. G.
William H. Graves, Co. G.
William C. Hoover, Co. G.
Charles W. M. King, Co. G.
John N. Maynard, Co. G.
Enoch T. Nation, Co. G.
James C. Olom, Co. G.
Martin V. Rodepouch, Co. G.
John R. Reasoner, Co. G.
Nathan Thornburg, Co. G.
Franklin Ballenger, Co. H.
James Bell, Co. H.
Alonzo Dunham, Co. H.
George Delano, Co. H.
Josiah Pratt, Co. H.
John W. Shull, Co. H.
Hiram Bailey, Co. K.
John W. Emmons, Co. K.
George S. Fisher, Co. K.
Jacob Harold, Co. K.
Henry Newton, Co. K.
William F. Rea, Co. K.
Joseph Survant, Co. K.
George W. Shockley, Co. K.
Darius Stevens, Co. K.
Matthew Zix, Co. K.
James N. Christian, Co. L.
Robert A. Moorehouse, Co. L.
Leander McCarty, Co. L.
[[5]]Archibald Reed, Co. L.
John M. Armstrong, Corp., Co. M.
John D. Alexander, Co. M.
William Brigg, Co. M.
George W. Blake, Co. M.
Nathan E. Gruell, Co. M.
Enis Haloway, Co. M.
William H. Huffman, Co. M.
James M. Isentrager, Co. M.
Samuel King, Co. M.
Franklin Ridley, Co. M.
John M. Bragg, Co. M.
Footnotes
[1]. Note A.—Of the affair at Wilson's Pike, December 1, 1864, Sergt. Holt, of Co. E, writes as follows:
D. W. C.
"At the fight on Wilson's Pike, December 1, 1861, Company E was detailed to check the advancing columns on that road. The company was stationed in a small yard behind a house. A line of skirmishers was thrown out consisting of the dismounted fourth man, placed in charge of a sergeant, with orders to fire once or twice and fall back to their horses. The advance was very rapid, the firing hot in the region of the company, and the men who had charge of the horses of the dismounted men were ordered to the rear. When our men came back from the skirmish line they were disappointed in not finding their horses, and were all captured, consisting of nearly twenty-six men of Company E, who were taken to Cahaba, Alabama, prison. Only about half of them lived through the five months they were kept there. Capt. Hobson was left in charge of the rear. He was ordered off the field twice by orderlies from Gen. Hammond, but failing to obey the order Gen. Hammond came himself and took the command off. The rebels were so close to us that I think I would almost know the color-bearer if I were to see him to-day. Before we left the yard, or just as we were leaving, Sergt. Helvie, who was sitting at the roots of a sugar tree, called to me to take his gun, a Henry rifle. I did so, and was so much excited that I only got two loads off out of the fifteen it contained. I believe Sergt. Helvie was the only man wounded in the engagement, although we stayed upon the field until the right and left wings of the rebel advance were considerably ahead of us, and I pointed the fact out to Capt. Hobson, but it didn't seem to affect him."
[2]. It was said that Company F sold this mule in New Orleans several times. The plan was—as the story was told—to have one of the boys, in citizen's clothes, sell the animal, and before it could be got away a squad would come up and arrest the party for having United States property in possession, compromising for a greater or less amount, take the mule and release the purchaser. This was said to have been repeated a number of times. At last the mule was hid and could not be found, but not before a sum had been raised sufficient to put Company F in funds.
[3]. Lieut. Thomas J. Cofer, Co. I.
[4]. Accounts of the deaths of Capt. Hobson and Lieut. Watts are conflicting. Capt. Hayden states that Capt. Hobson was killed right at the fort. The account of Sergt. Holt, Co. E, of the same incident, is subjoined. Sergt. Holt's candor in relating his experiences is refreshing and worthy of all praise. Most of us, in relating army experiences, are apt to forget or omit our fears and remember only what was heroic. There was in the regiment but one opinion concerning Capt. Hobson, and that was that he was a brave and capable officer. Martin Gregg, Co. I, states that he was with Lieut. Watts when shot; that he was killed by the captain of the battery, who also fired at him.
D. W. C.
"Company E was the left wing, Capt. Hobson commanding the main column. Advancing on the pike, our company went to the left or rear of a small works on the pike. After we had climbed a little hill, our company had scattered considerably, the firing being close above us with grape. We formed under cover of the ravine, and then advanced down the railroad. Capt. Hobson was leading the company; and Sergeant Grose and myself were (I probably ought not to say so) in the rear. I thought I took in the situation and asked him how he liked the place we were going into. He said he didn't like it much, but he guessed we would have to go. We charged down the railroad until we got to the wagon road, then went under the railroad, the grade being so high as to permit us to go under. Capt. Hobson didn't seem to realize the situation until he was confronted on the other side by the retreating rebel column. He halted and turned round immediately on the retreat, and was shot just as he came under the railroad, falling almost against the stone abutment. His riderless horse came galloping past me as I turned to retreat....
"An incident in connection with Capt. Hobson's death has always impressed me. During the morning Capt. Hobson and Lieut. Burroughs were riding together, and in their conversation Lieut. Burroughs said: 'I would rather lose my right arm than go into a fight.' Capt. Hobson replied, 'The rebel bullet is not molded that will kill me.' With these remarks hardly cold from their lips they went into the fight and were both killed within at least a few minutes of each other.
"While Capt. Hobson many times seemed rough in his remarks, his actions would show that he was tender in feelings. With a confidence that no harm can come to him, a man can go forth and fight with dashing courage, although danger surrounds him; but with the thought that as certain as he goes into battle, he will be the first to fall, requires a stout heart, and is offering his life upon the altar of his country. I never felt that I would be injured in battle, but I have several times wished that some one else would run, so that I might have some excuse to run myself. It took a braver man to make the break and run when every one was standing in line of battle than it did to stand and fight."
[5]. Lost by the explosion of the steamer George Fierce, below Vicksburg.
Transcriber's Notes:
Archaic and uneducated spelling and grammar has been retained.
Footnotes have been collected at the end of the text, and are linked for ease of reference.
Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected.
Typographical errors were silently corrected.