'Loss of the Sultana' Summary

'Loss of the Sultana' by Chester D. Berry is a chilling and gripping account of one of the deadliest maritime disasters in American history. The book recounts the sinking of the steamship Sultana on April 27, 1865, just days after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The Sultana, carrying over 2,000 passengers, most of them recently released Union prisoners of war, was grossly overcrowded, and the explosion, whose cause remains a subject of debate, resulted in the loss of over 1,500 lives. Berry's book is a collection of firsthand accounts from the survivors, who recount their experiences with raw emotion and vivid detail. The stories paint a harrowing picture of the tragedy, from the chaos and confusion of the explosion to the struggle for survival in the icy waters of the Mississippi River. The book provides a glimpse into the personal stories of the men who survived this devastating event, their struggles, and their resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. It also sheds light on the historical context of the tragedy, highlighting the plight of prisoners of war in the aftermath of the Civil War and the official investigations into the disaster. 'Loss of the Sultana' stands as a testament to the enduring power of human experience, a poignant reminder of the cost of war, and a lasting tribute to the resilience of those who survived.