GENERAL LYONS

Mar 28, 1865, 404 of the 56th Illinois Inf took shipping on the U. S. Steamer General Lyon at Wilmington N. C. On Mar 31st a cask of kerosine on the upper deck was broken during a tornado and the fluid drenched every deck and finally reached the furnace, where everything took fire. Of the entire 404 men, Michael S. Brockett, George Williams, and Jasper Fitsgerald were the only ones to escape. Mr. Brockett jumped over board with the expectation of drowning, but after swimming around for 5 hours he was picked up by another vessel.

(Alexander McKenzie lopst two sons in this disaster, Leiut George Thomas McKenzie, age 27, and William J. McKenzie age 19.