Sultana

Alan Huffman appeared on “The Diane Rehm Show” to talk about his book Sultana: Surviving the Civil War, Prison, and the Worst Maritime Disaster in American History (Collins; March 24, 2009). In his book Mr. 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. Mr. Huffman responded to telephone calls and electronic mail from the radio audience. Katty Kay was the guest host.

Alan 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, close