At this
time the ship "Antarctic" of Liverpool came to our relief and
also commenced taking off our men. We continued this
disembarkation throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Wednesday
evening, about 6 P.M., having removed every man, woman and child
of my command, I embarked myself on board the "Three Bells." The
commander of the San Francisco, Captain Watkins, with his
officers and crew, remained on the wreck that night, and left the
next morning about 10 A.M., after which we parted with the
wreck, the ship "Antarctic" steaming for Liverpool, and our ship
the "Three Bells" for New York, where I have the happiness to
inform you we arrived last evening. Words cannot express the
gratitude we owe to Captain Creighton for laying by us so
faithfully during so many stormy days, his ship disabled in the
storm which wrecked us, and leaking at the rate of four inches
per hour, and to whom I trust our government may make some
suitable testimonial. Our own captain also behaved throughout the
whole trouble with the most untiring courage, energy and
perseverance. Both of our surgeons being on the bark Kilby, I
don't know what we should have done had it not been for the
accidental presence of Doctor Buell, a citizen physician, who
labored incessantly night and day to alleviate the sufferings of
our numerous sick, who were dying hourly with the cholera, and to
make things still worse the small pox made its appearance on
board. All our hospital stores were swept overboard the morning
of the wreck, with the exception of two or three boxes of brandy
and wine, and a little opium.

I feel that I would be doing injustice to Lieutenants Charles S.
Winder, James Van Voast, and J. G. Chandler, did I not recommend
them to the favorable notice of the President, for their untiring
and noble exertions, night and day for ten successive days, in
keeping the ship clear of water, and mingling among the sick and
desponding men, to minister to their wants and cheer them up with
hope. The other officer with me, Lieutenant Wm. A. Winder, was
sick nearly all the time and that prevented him from rendering
the services which otherwise he would have done. I am also happy
to say that under the most trying circumstances, my
non-commissioned officers and men behaved well.