This poem came out 7 days BEFORE the tragic sinking.
Richard

VICKSBURG [MS] DAILY HERALD, April 20, 1865, p. 1, c. 6

[For the Daily Herald.

A Midnight Walk on Deck of
The Steamer "Sultana,"
Opposite Vicksburg,
18th April, 1865.

Dedicated to Captain J. C. Mason, of the steamer "Sultana," in memorium of being the first boat which carried the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward into Dixie, by R. M. Widmar, Editor and Proprietor of the "St. Louis Journal of Commerce."

Dost thou see the spirits dancing

Along the Mississippi shore?
How at steamers they are glancing,

As the life for them no more?

Dost thou see that line of battle

Of soldiers' spirits drilling yonder?
How their spirit dreams now rattle,

To fill the timid heart with wonder?

Dost thou see how more are rising

From their watery graves below?
How they now collect! inspiring

Over a wondrous mournful show.

The "Sultana," draped in mourning,

Is just steaming down the river,
Telling all along sojourning,

News, which every lip makes quiver.

News, which fills the heart with pain:

That Lincoln-Seward—are no more—
By assassins they were slain—

Captain Mason tells ashore.

Dost thou see the spirits listening

To this wondrous tale of woe?
How they swear, with bayonets glistening,

Vengeance on so low a foe!

Dost thou see that peaceful angel,

How he retires to the sky,
Telling, "I am not your angel

Till your leading traitors die!"

Dost thou hear the clock now ringing

One?—the treasure is gone.
Spirits now retire singing,

Leaving us again alone.