Hide Article Text (OCR)
SULTANA SURVIVORS.More Than a Score of Them hold their Third Annual Reunion In this City.It Is in every way eminently fitting that Hillsdale, the home of so many Unionsoldiers and loyal citizens, where the« 1hearts of all beat warmly for those whoanswered their country’s call in the tryinghour, should be the first city in Michiganto be honored as the meeting place of theSultana Survivors. Those who escapeddeath in that horrible disaster met in thehrannual reunion Friday, April 27, 1888, atthe G. A. K. post rooms, which had beenplaced at their disposal for that puposethrough the courtesy of the members ofC. J. Dickerson Post No. 6. The numberof flags that floated from the hotels andleading business places bespoke the heat*-ty welcome on all sides, and gave the citya gala day appearance.This meeting of its survivors is in commemoration of the saddest and most appalling incident in connection with the late war, which occurred on the morningof April 27, 1885. The beautiful but ill-fated steamer Sultana, having on boardtwenty-two hundred exchanged prisoners of w ar, just released from the prison pens of Georgia and Alabama, was steaming northward up the Mississippi bearing thenation’s loyal defenders whose hearts beatjoyfully with the hope of soon seeinghome and friends, when one of the boilersexploded at a point about six miles above Memphis, Term., killing and mangling many, and precipitating the entire freightage of human life into the merciless waters, the boat taking fire and sinking in twenty minutes. Of the two thousand and more brave souls, one thousand and seven hundred were either killed or drowned. The surviving five hundredswain ashore or were picked off portions of the floating wreckage.The first reunion »f the survivors w:uheld December 27, 1*85, at Fostoria, O,where nineteen members perfected t military organization known as the Sultana Survivor-, and annual meetings have sincebeen In Id on the anniversary of the dis-tipaster at different places in lt;)hio, this being the first reunion yet held in this tate,and every citizen feels a justifiable pride that through the efforts of .Joseph C. Stevens, llilhdale is accorded this honor. “Joe” was bound that they should meet-here at Ids old home, and at their lust reunion, with characteristic generosity, offered to pay all bills. He told the boys to all come and if any were lacking the means he would pay their railroad fare both ways.The meeting was called to order at 10 a. m. at the post rooms, by the Colonel, S. H. Uaudabaugh, w ho remarked upon theobject of the meeting after which “Marching Through Georgia*' w as sung in chorus, followed with divine invocation by Chaplain L. G. Morgan.The following old members were present: S. H. Uaudabaugh, colonel, Findlav,O.; William Fies, adjutant, Marion, ().; L. W. McC rory, quartermaster, Mungen, lt;.; L. G. Moriran, chaplain, Findlay, ().;•Jos. C, Stevens, Hast Buffalo, N. V.; P. L.Horn, Woot* r, O.; ira B. Horner, Weston, * b New member* added to roter: Sam-ual Stubbertield, Waldron, Mich.; Nathun-ehl Fogle*.ang, Prattville, Mich.; ChesterI). Berry, Tekonaha, Mich.; W; H. Will**iams, .Jonesville, Mich.; George Bement,AdaniHville, Mich.; M. II. Sprinkle, EatonRapids, Mich.: A. N. Hatch, Ellington,Mich.; J. W. Dunstnore, Harrison, Mich.; J Alonzo A. VanVlack, (’ambria, Midi.; Commodore Smith, Hemus, Mich,; Truman M. Smith, Grand Rapid*, Mich.; M.C. White, Harttord, Mich.; Chas.fr. Sea-bury. Coloma, Mich.; M. B. Hershey, Hillsdale; J. F. Nevins, Woodbridge, Mich.; Albert W. Cornell, Home Center,Mich.Comrade Berry was chosen major pro tern, pending the arrival of Major A. H. King, of Defiance, O.The adjutant read the minutes of last meeting and the treasurer's report, whichwere adopted. The membership at datenumbers about sixty, tw enty-eight of w hom reported cash. Cash on hand, $28.07. A letter was read from A. C. Brown giving an account of the steps taken to secure congressional legislation beneficial to the survivors, and recommending the raising of a fund for that purpose. The rest of the report consisted of reports of committee, etc.The quartermaster’s report w as substantially the same as above.The colonel appointed M. H. Sprinkle,A. W. King, I. B. Horner, L. W. McCroryand C. I). Berry, committee on resolutions, and L. G. Morgan, T. N. Smith and M. B. Hershey committee on memoirs.A committee of three was appointed upon location of next meeting as follows, to report at 2 o’clock: M. C. WiJte, M. H. Sprinkle and J. C. Stevens.After remarks by comrades concerning the publication of an authentic account of the Sultana disaster a recess was taken till 2 o’clock.AFTERNOON SESSION.The afternoon meeting opened at 2 o'clock with a fair attendance of G. A. R comrades and ladies.Vocal music and invocation were followed by reading and approving the minutes of morning session.The committee on location for the next reunion reported in favor of Toledo, and the recommendation was approved.The committee on resolutions submitted the following, and the snme was adopteditem by item:Resolved, l. That we express our thanks to Mr. A. B. Dickinson, proprietor of Smith's Hotel. for the courteous manner in which this association has been entertained.Resolved. 2, That we express our thanks to the G. A. K. aud W. R. C. for the hospitality and interest they have manifested in our behalf.Whereas, Comrade Joseph C. Stevens has done an unprecedented act in entertaining this association at his own expense; therefore. Resolved, 3, That we express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Comrade Stevens, and wish for him—may your stock never shrink and the nrioes alw ays boom.The last item was on motion adopted by a unanimous standing vote, and when Mr. Stevens rose to vote in the negative, the heavy hand of the quartermaster w as laid upon his shoulder, and he resumed his seat with a great deal of emphasis.The report of the committee on history was submitted and adopted, recommending the publication of a full and authentic history of the Sultana disaster.The committee on constitution and bylaws, defining title as that of the National Sultana Survivors’ Association, designating titles of officers and their duties, etc., ’ was submitted and adopted.The following officers elected for theensuing year:Colonel—8. H. Rauaabaugh.Lleutenant-Colonel—Joseph C. Stevens.Major—Chester D. Berry.Adjutant—William Fies.quartermaster—L. W. McCrory.Chaplain—L. G. Morgan.The adjutant read letters from a large number of survivors in different states, remitting dues, regretting inability t« attend,inquiring the whereabouts of old comrades, etc. The letters plainly show that the booming “war times,*’ w hen fortunes w ere easily made, contributed but little to the coffers of those who went to the front, us most of the writers had not the means to attend.The report of the committee on memoirs showed that during the past year three survivors had answered the last roll-call, viz., Hosea C. Aldrich, Jerome, Mich., J. R. Miller, Central City, Colo., and Fredrick Grovenburg, Astor, Oceana Co., Mich.Appended were resolutions expressive of sympathy for their widows and orphans.Wm. Fies, L. G. Morgan and C. I). Berry were appointed a committee on publication of the Sultana History. Owing topressure of other duties C. I). Berry was made chairman in place of Adjutant Fies.By the ruling of the pension department, owing to defects in existing laws, the Sultana survivors are cut off from receiving their just dues, and S. H. Rauda-baugh, J. C. Stevens and L. YV. McCrorywere named to memorialize congress to legislate in their behalf.The widow of H.C. Aldrich was present with copies of a pamphlet written and published by him previous to his death, giving an account of Cahawba prison, in which he had been confined. The chair announced that during recess an opportu nity would be given such as desired to purchase copies. This was contrary to Comrade Stevens’ well-known business methods, so he bought a batch of the books and all the hoys got one.The general unfitness of the Sultana atthe time the troop* were placed on boardlun-1 the responsibility of the government* *I for the disaster were discussed, and inThe event of failure to secure redresswhat they had endured and suffered, and as patriots w ho had bought their country’s honor with their blood.Col. S. H. Uaudabaugh delivered the response, and in behalf of the survivors of the Sultana disaster desired to express his feeble thanks to the G. A. R., YV. R. C.and citizens of Hillsdale for their generous hospitality, aud would look back to this reunion with pleasure as the best of its kind. As an individual he expressed thanks, and as such it was generally conceded that lie “took the cake!” He referred to the beauty and culture of Hillsdale, her schools and churches, the college pointing heavenward, stating that he was engaged in college work, and had such institutions been located south of Mason Dixon s lii * there would have been no war. By special request he gave a personal account from the time of his enlistment in the 85th Ohio. At Stone Riverhe was taken with eight others, but escaped a trip to Libby by falling upon his face and feigning death, and for two and a half hours was trampled upon by infantry and cavalry. Later he was captured with eleven others and taken to Anderson-ville prison, in company with a large number ©f prisoners, and by order of Gen. Hood they were stripped of clothing or whatever they possessed better than the Johnnies. An incident was given of a little cavalryman, leaning against a comrade, too weak to stand while the prisoners in line were counted by fours, which so enraged the brute YVirz that he heat the fellow’s brains out with a revolver. At the end of four months he bought the release of himself and eleven others for $400, and they were so weak that three days were•» wrequired for fifty of them to travel twenty-seven miles. The trip on the Sultana was minutely given, including a humorous account of how himself and John A. Ryanwof the 84th Ohio procured pork and sugar to trade for eatables, but w hich went tothe bottom of the Mississippi. The explosion, burning of the steamer and struggles of the victims were graphically set forth, and he would have strangled while shout ing tor help had not Ed. J. Kennedy ordered him to shut his mouth and save his strength. He floated the rest of the night on a piece of stairway, nearly dying withX W V W wfor disabilities sustained, it was recoin-j cramps, and tempted to seek relief inmended that an action for damages be commenced against the government. Comrade* Berry, Fies and Morgan wereselected to secure affidavits of a chief engineer, who refused to embark on the Sultan a, and other officials, together with w hatever testimony they thought proper.Michael J, Hickey, C o. II, 148d Pennsylvania, who w as fourteen months a prisoner at Ander-onville, w as brought in to see if any old soldiers could recognize and assistwhim in getting the necessary proofs to his claim. He has the 8t. Vitus dance, and is mentally incapable.The committee on resolutions submitted the following, which was adapted:Whereas, On the 27th day of April. l*Ar, the greatest marine disaster know n in the history of the world occurred on the Mississippi river above Memphis, Tenn., by the explosion of the boiler of the steamer Sultana, when nearly 1,700 human beings, most of them exchanged unio • prisoners on their way to their northern hone .. lost their lives; and Whereas, But tew historical works make any mention of the fuct ot the disaster; therefore.Resolved, That we urge every member of the association to collect all the facts ftossible in t he case and flt;»rwarlt;l the same to the chairmanot the committee on Publication.M. H. SPRI NKI.K.I. 11. Horner,L. W. Mci uorv,( . D. Berry,Committee.A* a token of appreciation the largephoto of the Sultana, taken a short timebefore her fatal trip, was ordered framed and presented to(*.J. Dickerson Post, to be hung in the post room. Stevens proposed to buy one and present to the post,but for once was voted down by a largemajority.The hour of the banquet prepared by the ladies of the \V. R. (’. having arrivedthe meeting adjourned subject to the callof the chairman.The banquet was a pleasant affair and the tables were tastefully spread with an abundance of both substantial* and dainties. At the close Col. Uaudabaugh was presented with a handsome cake by Dr. A. F. Whelan on behalf of the ladies of the corps.EVENING EXERCISES.After discussing the excellent repast the time w as passed in renewing old and forming new acquaintances, and reviewing oldincidents, until 7:8(1, the hour of the meeting at Underwood's opera house, where a joint program of camp-fire and love fea*t w as carried out, participated in by the survivors, G. A. R. comrades and citizens.The survivors were escorted across thestreet to the opera house by members of C. J. Dickerson Post and \Yr. R. C., the former occupying seats upon the stage and the latter those reserved for them in the parquette. The house was crowded, no fewer than fifteen hundred people being present, and as the heroic band marched to their places they were greeted w ith a broadside of applause.Rev. I. B. Card opened the program with prayer, in which he invoked a bless ing upon the survivors, and in fitting and touching language spoke of the ordeal through which they had passed and the noble object that had brought them together. He regretted the late war, and prayed that this nation might be spared such another ordeal.“Marching Through Georgia,” irrepressible and ever new with every loyal soldier, was sung by Comrades McCrory, Morgan and Berry, the audience joining in the rousing chorus.Past Department Commander O. A.Janes delivered the address of welcome, and regretted that he hardly felt equal to the occasion. Old soldiers met by companies and by regiments to talk over old times in camp, on the march and upon the field of battle, but these survivors have a far different experience as those who w ere snatched from a watery grave. He referred to the battles participated in and their inhuman treatment as prisoners of war. The horrors of Andersonville were described, with its twenty-seven acres, three of which were swamp, inclosed within a high stockade, in which were huddled 40,000 men, reeking with disease and vermin, without even a tent for shelter, out of which filthy pen 10,000 lifeless forms were carried in seven months. From such scenes they were returning home to loved ones, unmindful of suffering and their hearts buoyant with hope, when the boat was blown to atoms, and nut of 2,2lt;M), 1,700 met a watery grave. Of the survivors but a few hundred remain to-day. In behalf of the soldiers and citizens of Hillsdaledeath, but thoughts of his young wife in-spired hope, and finally he was picked up by a yawl from tin* gunboat Essex.“In the Prison Cell 1 Sit was given bythe college quartet.President Mosher of the college said hefelt it more becoming to listen, for he felt interested in the recital of these heroes.The unwavering patriotism of Zack ( handler and his three followers w ho stood up in congress in face of the strongest opposition and refused to “let the erring sisters go, w as eulogized, an 1 these were the kind of men who filled the breach while the heroes were at the front. At the Hotel des Invalides he had been thrilled withstories of bravery at Waterloo, but it was nothing compared to the heroism of our own soldiers. The Blue Book of France states that it was not German muskets or the superior valor of German soldiers that conquered France, but the common *cbool system of Prussia, and he appreciated the force of Col. Raudabaugh’s remarks referring to southern illiteracy.( '. D. Berry, describing the condition of Andersouville, said that a Confederate surgeon trsttied at the YVirz trial that he did not glt;» within one hundred feet of the swamp and tie* stench vomited him. An instance w jJs given of a comrade w ith gangrene, Geo. \V. Hoyt, whom lie nursed. He xvas included in the list to be ex changed, but he knew if he left Ids comrade would die. He staid to take care of him and thus escaped being transferred to a more horrible prison. The burning of the Sultana was a perfect picture of pandemonium. Chilled and exhausted, he resolved to drown, but the thought of his praying mother, who at that moment was pleading Heaven to save her noy, nerved liim, and he was finally rescued. Young men ami women were appealed to to uphold the emblem of freedom.The quartette sang, “Shouting the Battle Cry of Freed*m.”I)r. A. F. YVhelan said these heroes had survived the horrors of Andersonville and the perils of war, but it was doubtful if they could survive any remarks from one whose time-worn phiz was so familiar to the people of Hillsdale. The terrors of land were nothing compared to waking up and finding ones self in the water. To such a four-inch board w as a buoyant hope, but he had also seen the time when at thefront that a four-inch sapling afforded agreat deal of protection. The hardships endured by these patriotic men, in digging out of their loathsome prisons and braving the dangers of the cypress sw amps for liberty, was characteristic of American soldiers. He bade those present a heartywelclt; me and wished them many returnsof these happy reunions.W. H. Sprinkle gave an interesting account of his career from the time of his enlistment. At the time of the disaster he and fourteen comrades were on the stern of the steamer building air-castles, of whom ten went to the bottom. He could tell stories all night, but would not, as the experience of all was similar.“John Brown” was sung by Comrades Berry, McCrory and Morgan, the audiencejoining in the chorus.Joseph C. Stevens, although it was his first speech, gave many incidents, both humorous and pathetic. While in Ander-sonville the prison was raided by a gang w ho cut the boys’ throats to get their clothes. The guards were mere boys, and were granted furloughs to go home and see their sweethearts whenever one of them shot a Yank. Six of the camp raiders were ordered hung and a detail of theprisoner* did the job. One fell throughthe trap, but was re hung, the six bodies hanging until dark, when they were cut down and buried in one grave. The balance of the gang were compelled to run the gauntlet between two lines of prisoners armed with clubs. He tried his hand at nursing in the hospital outside the stockade until the medicine killed four patients. He was more successful in making beer from a mixture of molasses, meal and water, w hich he and McCrorypeddled about a a Mire cure for scurvy and other diseases. It was a nice, tart drink like swill. A jealous comrade reported him to Captain YVirz, w ho orderedhim to headquarters, out his good luck and sleek talk saved his life, together w ith the large amount of Kalamazoo money which he possessed. By stealing away with a company of exchanged prisonershe got his name added to the list and reached Vicksburgh, glad to get from An-they were bidden a hearty welcome for I dersonville where lb,000 had died. Sevenmiles above Memphis the Sultana blew up, but he staid aboard until burned off. He jumped off with a shutter, but lost it, and managed to keep his head above water by paddling like a dog, as he could not sw im. When nearly strangled and sinking Charley Tabor, a boy w hom h© lad saved in orison, dragged him upon a bale of hay, wffiere they were picked off by a steamer after floating a long distance down stream, just as the water-soaked bale was sinking.Like the best wine at a banquet, the remarks of Hon. E. L. Koon were saved for the last. Every word conveyed an idea. The heroism lt;f the boys w ho fought from the Rappahannock to the Gulf, and survived the perils of Andersonville and thebattlefield were eloquently portrayed. The American soldiers were made up of scholars, teachers, artisans and and allclasses ot brainy men. When Gen. Butler called for a man to repair an engine out stepped 108 skilled mechanics, and when he called for an engineer thirty-six stepped out of one regiment. The burning Sultana and the struggle for life weredescribed with telling reality. The survivors were admonished to keep up then* social reunions and to meet annually. Ere long their number would be reduced to a hundred, to a dozen, to ten, and to one, but he w anted every one of them to resolve that he would be the last to die. A glowing tribute was paid to the personal worth of Comrade Stevens, and the high esteem in which he was held by the people of Hillsdale. “YVe have thought best,” said Mr. Koon, “not to give you money, for you would be sure to divide w ith the first Ilian that needed it, but to present this cane. Our citizens were eager to contribute to it, and eyen the little girl* followed the committee and wanted to give oniething. Take it, and our hope is that you may live long before infirmity makes it absolutely nece»arv to use it.”_ - VMr. Stevens was *iT**ctrd to tears, and for once was forced to an unconditional surrender, his friend Col. Uaudabaugh responding in his behalf.Idle cane is of ebony, the head of solidw Tgold, beautifully chased, bearing the in-scription, “UilNdale friends to Joseph lt;\ Steven*, April 27, D'-s. a testimonial,bearing the names of thirty two of ourmost prominent citizens and businessmen,engrossed in Prof. Drake** best style, ac-w Ieompanied the token of friendship.“d enting on the lt;1*1 Camp Ground,”by the quart* tOq closed w hat was enthusiast i* illlv declared by the survivors to bethe most enjoyable reunion yet held.NY. Hughes furnished several tin** bou-qiiets for the banquet tables, for w hich theladies of the YV. U. ( . are very grateful.The following we copy from the Stand ahi) of May 8, 1885:Kei*- t Joseph Stevens, of the llt;t Michigan Sharpshooters, who was on board the steamer Sultana, arrived home on Saturday morning last. He report* amoiia the hundred* lost on U.ard Wm. Finch, A. w. Ijuwrenoe. of this village; Edwin Ford, son of Darwin Ford, of Jef-ferson. Ot those saved, H. C. Wood. Georg© Dueeler, Wm. Crisp and himself. Mi Wood hail a leg broken and float***! in the curomt on a narrow hoard about eleven miles, hi *tev-ens w ith other* *aved themselves bv I, taring to a bale of hay and were taken from th* •* ater fourteen mile* lelow the wreck. Mr. Crisp uas badly slt;*alded in th** face and hand- 1 ho following is a list ot the 1sth Mich. Itegt. re-ported saved in the Memphis Bulletin: Nelson i . Voglesang. Nathaniel F. Voglesang, ( has. Deland, Thos. Smith, I..C. Merufleld, Albert W.Cornel), S. C. SuiUr. a; ha* Van Vlack, OliverP. Hail. Samuel M Daiiow. S. H Suttin, J. M. i Xoreottf, II. lt;. \\ i »« h1, Francis Wright. Sev-mour Main, S. Shuttlerr*. I.vn an Hhwiw, E. .11. Johnson, Elite* K. II nds. Wm. Eddy, John Slt; tt.enw*, M. Dailey, Al* x Popard, Geo. Dues-ler, E. Burns, Wm. Thayer, E. C. W elch, Geo.Stump, Geo. C. Hot©, W, II. WTlUatns. Commodore Smith, Joel F. Harris Among th© sav* lt;1 are man of the 2d and Ik! M a b. i avalry and other Mu lligan regimente, but And none from this vicinity Among th** lost Mr. *teven- report- Serg’t W aterlmiy, I'.th Mich., of Reading, and Washington Mann, l*th, lt;t C mbria. At flu- time it is im|H»s-iMe to obtain a correct list of the lost and sa ved of t hose w ho are res id* nts from thiscountyGeo. Palmer, Fred* r * k Seeley and Patrick llt;arkey, of the lsth Ucgt.,and residents of Somerset. an* r**iH»rtc*d lost.YY’e extract the following from a letter from Deputy Commissioner Lawrence:STATE OF MB H!Inhcras* t lit R r, Lansing, Mieh., April 2'.. 1Editor Standard.—-If cir* um-t s would permit I would have been in II dale to-day to listen to the thrilling 't« s of the survivor* of the Sultana disa.-t.-r, I could not leave home, and now I want a copy of your paper, which will chronicle the gathering of to-day. 1 find in the “Michigan Roll of Honor** the names ofseventy of the brave men of the 18th Michigan infantry recorded as meeting their death from tne destruction of that ill-fated boat on the morning of April 27, 1865. My brother, Albert YV. Lawrence, w as oneof the boys who went from Hillsdale village, and the day the boat lay at Memphis w as his birthday.Henry N. Lawrence.TELEG HAPH1C BRKVITIES.Th© Iowa spurumen’s annual Uurnam©nt Will b© held at Des Moines June 5, ti and 7.1L A Whitehead, a Montreal trader, ha© mad© an uatfignmenL Liabilities, $279,00UD. A Blodgett's house at Hersey, Mloh.t wa© burned T cured ay night Loss, $25,0001Ke©fe, the baae-ball pitcher, sigu©d a eon-traot Friday evening to play in New York ©ft © ©alary of $4,00aPrlnoe Ferdinand 1© making a tour of Bmlgaria. Upon leaving Sofia he wa© ©h©ered by the troops and 1 opulace.Th© Indiana, Illinois A Iowa railway will shortly be extended from Knox, Ind., to ■onth Bend, a distance of thirty-hve mile©A© the result of th© arbitration board’© Investigation of the brewery lock-out in Mew York, many of the union men are r^ turning to work.John Carlock, of Normal, UL, a patient In the College Hill Hanitarium at Cincin* nati, O., was found hanging to a tree in the woods near by Friday.▲ glucose trust it haa just been divulged was formed at Cleveland, O., a few days Since, and a meeting v\ til be held 111 Chicago next week to p* rfect t e pool.Barnes' oolt. The Lion, a Derby candidate* worked a mile and a quarter lt;• t Lexington* Ky., Friday morn n r in 2:12 V ‘«d the 2-year-old iiliy. The Lioness, went half a mil©in :OL}Jacob Schaffer, speaking of George 81 os-son's contemplated removal to New York City, Says he will play Slossou for any ©mount and give him 500 points in 3,000 ©t either the balk line or champion's game.▲ runaway team with a barouche in which were two Indies dashed through © safety-gate at a railroad track in New Yorkan i were struck by a train. Mr© Matilda K rr han, one of the ladies, wa© killed.
Newspaper Details
Hillsdale Standard
Hillsdale, Michigan, US
Tue, May 01, 1888
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Alexis V.
USA 15 Nov 2018
Other Publications Near Hillsdale, Michigan
Hillsdale Daily Standard
Hillsdale Daily News
Hillsdale Whig Standard
Hillsdale Standard
