U.S. History

Sultana: Surviving the Civil War, Prison, and the Worst Maritime Disaster in American History

Alan Huffman

About the Program

Alan Huffman recounts the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history, the sinking of the steamboat Sultana that was transporting 2,400 Union soldiers on the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865.  Mr. Huffman reports that many of the 1,700 men who died were former prisoners of war returning from Confederate prison camps.  The author documents several of the soldier's service during the War including their conditions and treatment while imprisoned.  Alan Huffman discusses his book on the Diane Rehm Show from WAMU studios in Washington, DC.

About the Authors

Alan Huffman

Alan HuffmanAlan Huffman is the author of "Mississippi in Africa: The Saga of the Slaves of Prospect Hill Plantation and Their Legacy in Liberia Today." Mr. Huffman's writing has appeared in several publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Smithsonian magazine.
Buy the author's book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Program Information

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Past Airings

  • Sunday, May 10th at 12am (ET)
  • Saturday, May 9th at 5pm (ET)
  • Saturday, May 9th at 8am (ET)
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