There is a monument on the grounds of the Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale Michigan that remembers the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history and it’s link to Hillsdale. The S.S. Sultana was a steam ship that was bringing soldiers–mostly P.O.W.s–home at the end of the American Civil War. The 376 passenger vessel loaded over 2,200 people on board who were eager to get home after the fighting. A multiple boiler explosion killed an estimated 1,800 passengers and crew after midnight in the icy Mississippi River near Memphis TN on April 27, 1865. 75 men from the Michigan 18th Infantry organized in Hillsdale Michigan lost their lives on this night.
The event was lost in the news of the day due to significant coverage being given to the end of the war, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the manhunt for his killer–all during April of 1865. The monument is located in the north east corner of the courthouse grounds, and honors everyone who was on board the Sultana that fateful night.
Mike Venturini
“Life is good in Jonesville”
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos of the Sultana monument! My great great grandfather, Truman M. Smith, 8th Michigan Calvary Company B, was a survivor. This is a great tribute to those on board that fateful night.
Mary, My name is Mike Marshall and my company is producing a video documentary about the Sultana. In the account of his Sultana experiences published in Chester Berry's book, Truman refers to a letter he wrote home while recovering in a Memphis hospital. Do you know whether that letter has been preserved and, if so, would it be possible for me to obtain a copy of it? Thank you for any information you can share with me concerning his letter.