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| Name | Data | Researcher |
| Federal Soldier Billy Phillips |
Aug. 21, 1920, Cassville Democrat
RUN OVER BY STEAM BOAT Many people of this county, do not know, that we have a fellow citizen near this city that was run over by a steam boat in Mississippi River and survived and swam to shore and finally reached his command during the Civil War. Uncle Billy Phillips of near this city was a member of 2nd Missouri Artillery under Maj. John W. Rabb, with later Capt. S. H. Julian of Springfield, and on June 13, 1863 or 4 embarked on Steamboat Belle of St. Louis, at New Madrid, Mo., on their way to St. Louis, from the south. That night at about 10 o’clock, Gib Hillhouse of Lawrence, went to the wagon, where Uncle Bill was sleeping and woke him up, to go on guard and he started getting up and dreaded, and in getting out of the wagon, he got out on the side next to the railing of the boat and fell overboard into the river, but caught a rope from the mast pole above, and Joe Browning and Gib Hillhouse pulled him up out of the water, until they could reach his fingers; when he slipped back in the water, and the boat passed over him, as he says he passed between the two wheels, the boat having two side wheels. He swam and floated all that night and finally landed 5 ½ miles below Cario, Ill., on Kentucky side, and finally got out of the water, when daylight arrived. He had lost his pants, wagons and even trying he had on, but his waist, blouse, shoes, and socks. He laid in cane brake until about 10 a. m., when he started for Columbus, Ky. On his way, he met a fellow hauling a load of cane, with a wagon and yoke of oxen; Uncle Bill being in need of clothing, relieve the man of his pants and believe the man of his pants and went on his way. He arrived at Columbus, Ky., the pick were slow to believe his story and charged him with being a bushwhacker, from his dress, but he finally got within the lines and they followed him again and stopped and demanded further explanation of himself, he again told them of what he had passed thru and told them he desired to go to headquarters and see the Commander in order to get transportation to St. Louis, or wherever his command was. He finally convinced them of his sincerity, received his transportation and go on a steamboat by mistake, that was going up the Ohio River, and he had to get off at Cairo, Ill., where he was subjected to a lot of questioning by the Union Soldiers, who also charged him with being a “bushwhacker”, and finally put him in prison, which was very obnoxious to Uncle Bill. The prisoners had vermin and filth, plenty of it and Uncle Bill commented to make things red hot for the occupants of the prison, and an officer came and took him outside, which was a delightful change. They returned his transportation, which had been from him by a peart corporal, which aided in establishing his standing as a Union Soldier. He then went to the Wharf of the river, when a steamboat came sailing up the river from the south, he signaled them and they landed and took him on board and gave him quite a reception by his comrades, who supposed he was dead. The boat pulled for St. Louis, where they went to Camp Gamble. Uncle Bill was about 19 years old then, but is a gray haired veteran, now of 75 years, 5 months and 3 days old at time of this writing. |
History Submitted by: Donna Cooper |
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