Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
Home / Historical / 2008 June Signature Civil War Auction Auction #6002 / Lot #72496
    LOT #72496  | 
    Sold on Jun 30, 2008 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Archive of Documents Regarding the Destruction of the Steamer Ruth.... (Total: 8 Items)

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Archive of Documents Regarding the Destruction of the Steamer Ruth.... (Total: 8 Items)
    Sold on Jun 30, 2008 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Track Item Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    Archive of Documents Regarding the Destruction of the Steamer Ruth. On the night of August 4, 1863, shortly before midnight, after a refueling stop at Cairo, Illinois, the Steamer Ruth enroute to Vicksburg with eight Union payroll masters and $2.6 million dollars in army payroll on board, mysteriously burned. The money was reported destroyed. Twenty-six of the one hundred fifty passengers, military and civilian, were killed. Robert Louden, a Confederate saboteur was implicated in the disaster. He confessed to the destruction and was tried and convicted.

    This large archive of manuscript documents contains original depositions from many, if not all of the surviving paymasters aboard the Ruth at the time of her sinking including Majors J. W. Brigden, Josiah Tilden, N. S. Brinton, T. D. Greenwalt, W. B. Mendenhall, J. M. Pumphrey, G. L. Febiger, and W. H. Jameson. Also included are statements from the Ruth's Chief Engineer and clerk. Additionally there are statements by a "diving bellman" who examined the wreckage and an official copy of the proceedings of the court of inquiry convened by the War Department's adjutant general's office and dated September 11, 1863. All documents included are in near fine condition.

    From reading the documents in the archive it appears that the court of inquiry was convened with less of an eye towards the cause of the disaster and more of an towards establishing if any of the $2.6 million dollars survived and made its way into the pockets of persons known or unknown. This archive would provide a thorough beginning for a book on the destruction of the Steamer Ruth.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    June, 2008
    29th-30th Sunday-Monday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 380

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information

    Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

    Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold on Jun 30, 2008 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold on Jun 30, 2008 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Track Item
    Coming soon:

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 04/23/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 04/26/2021

    Manuscripts
    Opens about 04/30/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 04/28/2021

    Silver
    Opens about 04/29/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 04/22/2021

    Sports Collectibles
    Opens about 05/06/2021

    Space
    Opens about 05/03/2021

    Western & Texas Art
    Opens about 04/30/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 05/03/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 04/23/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 05/04/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 05/05/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 04/29/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 04/29/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 05/03/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 05/12/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 05/14/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 05/21/2021

    Entertainment
    Opens about 05/17/2021

    Arms & Armor
    Opens about 05/18/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 05/08/2021

    Rare Books
    Opens about 05/21/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 05/19/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 05/19/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 05/20/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 05/15/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 05/28/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 05/26/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 05/28/2021

    Nature & Science
    Opens about 05/27/2021

    Sports Collectibles
    Opens about 06/03/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 05/28/2021

    Western & Texas Art
    Opens about 05/28/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 06/01/2021

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Consign to the 2022 February 19 Americana & Political Signature Auction - Dallas.

    Learn about consigning with us

    Thanks a million for getting approval to sell my Civil War Hospital Death Ledger! You made them AND ME , a nice profit. You are the best!
    Ed W.,
    Mount Vernon, OH
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search