Indiana and the Sultana Disaster

This book follows the life of John. H. King from 1831 until his death in 1893. Although John was a survivor, he lived a problem plagued and pathetic existence that make the fascinating events of his life an unusual and emotional story. It is the story of a man whom fate chose to survive when others did not. The book follows John from his birth in Cincinnati, Ohio, his training as a blacksmith, his migration to Indiana, his enlistment in the 9th Indiana Cavalry his survival of the tragedies that await him From skirmishes and capture by the Rebs, his life threatening imprisonment at Andersonville prison and his survival of the greatest maritime disaster in the history of the United States he returns home a changed and disabled man, unable to live what could have been a far different life.


Author_Bio: Robert R. Smith retired after 45 years in Indiana broadcasting. He began as a film editor/photographer, then producer/director then Production Manager at WISH TV. During his time at WISH TV Bob produced and directed several nationally syndicated programs.  He later became Program Manager and Station Manager for WIPB TV Ball State University. He retired from Ball State in 2001. He is a Board Member of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers and writes and produces the organization's quarterly newsletter. The inherited "before and after" photos in the book and his interest in genealogy led to the search for more information which became the foundation for this book. Bob attended Arsenal Technical High School and Indiana Central College and served in the Indiana National Guard for six years as a motion picture photographer with training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Bob is married to high school sweetheart Bette. He has two children, Darren and Lori, and five grandchildren, (in order of appearance) Amber, Noah, David, Ben and Matthew.


Keywords: Sultana, War, Civil War, Indiana, Soldier, Boat, History, Historical, Biography, Fight