American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Letter from Captain Lewis F. Hake, 115th Ohio Volunteers, describing his survival of the explosion of the Sultana. Cairo, IL, 1 May 1865.

2 1/4 pages, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., deep creases, few ink stains and spots. Addressed to an unnamed colonel.

"You have without doubt heard of the wreck of the Steamer Sultana and most of the particulars, which are very nearly correct. You heard doubtless of the loss of Capt Lowry an Lt. Eaddie [sic] with the majority of the men belonging to our Regt including Martin Bair [sic] of my Co. We arrived here this [indecipherable] at six oclock and are prepared to head for Camp Chase O. at one AM tomorrow morning, by way of Indianapolis Ind."

The men referenced above include First Lieutenant John Eadie, Jr., Captain Deming N. Lowry, and Private Martin Van Buren Baird, all of whom were killed in the explosion on 27 April 1865.

Hake then discusses promotions and commissions, including his desire to receive one: "If there is a Commission there for me I should feel highly honored to except [sic] it, and if concistant [sic] with the interests of the service at this stage of the war, be mustered."

Hake ends the letter thusly: "I might give you an account of my own escape from the wreck of the Sultana but I am all sore and stiff from swimming and have pain in my side. Where the floor of the cabin of the boat struck me it is not serious but makes me uncomfortable."

Lewis F. Hake enlisted as a captain on 11 July 1862, being commissioned into Company B of the 115th Ohio Infantry the following month. He was captured on 5 December 1864 at Lavergne, TN and confined at Macon, GA for several months until being exchanged on 15 April 1865 at Vicksburg, MS. It appears that he was promoted to major during his confinement. Just two weeks after being exchanged, the Sultana explosion occurred, with him on board. The Sultana explosion is considered the worst maritime disaster in United States history, with an estimated death toll of 1,700 passengers.