City Point, August 9th, 1864.
A fearful tragedy was enacted here today. A barge, laden with ammunition, was blown to atoms, scattering death and destruction around. How it happened will forever remain a mystery, as not one that was on board lives to tell the tale. Near as can be ascertained at this time, about two hundred were killed and wounded. A vast amount of property was destroyed. Blocks of timber, shells, grape shot and other missiles were thrown over a mile. We are situated about a mile and a half from the landing. I was on my way to the Point; had covered, perhaps, one-half the distance. As I looked toward the landing I saw a lady, mounted on a white horse that belonged to the Commission, ride up the bank from the river and turn in the direction of Grant’s head quarters. I recognized her as a member of the Michigan Relief Society. The horse was a spirited one, and I could but admire the ease and grace with which she restrained him and compelled him to do her bidding. He tossed his beautiful head and spurned the ground beneath his feet as he lightly galloped over the plain.
They had reached a point perhaps half a mile from the landing, when a violent concussion rent the air. From the landing fire, smoke and innumerable missiles were being hurled upward, in a whirling eddy, as from the mouth of a volcano. Heavy timbers and other debris flew over and around me. I looked for the lady on horseback. For an instant I could see nothing in that direction but a swirling cloud of dust; in another instant I saw, through the dispersing gloom, a white horse clearing the ground with rapid strides, and on his back, cool and erect, a lady.
I was afterward informed the lady was Mrs. Wheelock, of Jackson, Michigan, a member of the Michigan Relief Society.
