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LOSS OF THE SULTANA - REMINISCENCES OF SURVIVORS

William THAYER

I WAS born in Watertown, N. Y., October 25, 1845, and enlisted in the service of the United States at Adrian, Mich., August 7, 1862, in Company C, 18th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Was captured at Athens, Ala., September 24, 1864, and confined in the Cahaba, Ala., prison. I was lying in the alley way of the second deck when the boat blew up. I stayed on the boat until I saw two scantlings tied together with a pair of suspenders, I thought they would help me along and they did, for I floated down the river for about six miles and then neared the shore. I climbed a tree and tied myself there with my shirt, and about two o'clock P. M. I was picked up and taken to the hospital at Memphis.

Occupation, farming. Postoffice address, Fairfield, Mich.

Full List of Michigan Men  |  Reminiscences Of Survivors

(Reminiscences also linked in Full List of Men)

Sources For Your Research

 

Civil War Files On This Site

Michigan Civil War Files | 1883 Michigan Pensioners | 1894 Civil War Veteran Michigan Census
African Americans Who Served From Michigan | 1st Michigan Sharp Shooters Co. K | Loss of the Sultana
Honor Roll Interments in Michigan