H^d Quarters Co F 21^st Ill Inft

San Antonio Texas

Dec 6^th 1865

 

Letter of Explanation.

                                    For the loss of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores while re-shiping from the Steam Ship Promethus to the Steamer St Marta off the bay of Matagorda July 22^nd 1865.

 

To wit

                        3 Endfield R. Muskets

                        3 Sets of accouterments Complete

                        170 E. B. Cartridge

 

The Steam Ship Promethus with the 21^st Ill Inft Regt on board, had been lying at anchor off the Bay of Matagorda for five days unable to cross the bar; and on account of a rough sea lighter vessels did not come along side to take us off untill July 22^nd. The sea was still very rough and the transfer could not be made without much loss of arms and private baggage. The Capt of the St Marta which came to take us off gave us only ten minutes to re-ship. The deck of the steam ship was about ten feet above that the the St Marta, and we had to slide down from the deck of the steam ship to the St Marta on boards, and from the leaping and plunging of the two boats, many things were lost over board. No man was willing to take the hazerdous slide on a board with all his traps on, so they were fastened together, the guns, cartridge boxes and knapsacks, / and slid down the boards, and thus the three Endfield R. Muskets with the amunition was lost over board, by the neglect or fault of no one. None but a tired and hungry soldier would attempt to slide from one boat to another under such dangerous circumstances. With all the care posible, of men and officers, and useing all the means in our power, the above named articles were lost over board without the fault of any one.

 

E. Mack

1^st Lieut Co E. 21^st Ill Inft

 

[overleaf]

 

Report of a Board of

Survey

SOURCES