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The steamboat Ruth left St. Louis bound for Vicksburg in the afternoon carrying a full cargo and a large group of paymasters with pay for the Union Army. Near Cairo, Illinois fire broke out aboard just before midnight. The blaze spread with remarkable speed and within minutes fifty-three lives were lost, including paymasters and troops assigned to guard the reported 2.6 million dollar payroll. The Ruth, and the money, was completely destroyed. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
"The Disaster on the Mississippi: Destruction of the Steamer Ruth," New York Times, August 16, 1863
Record Data
Type
Crime/Disasters
