In discussion of my research on the Union Transport Mill Boy I have little about the Mill Boy itself, but have found out a lot about the Army Quartermasters and about the transportation that make the Mill Boy stand out even more. It was a difficult process for the Civilian owners to collect payment for the loss due to natural causes such as striking a snag like the Mill Boy did. The application process was very tedious and political to get reimbursement. To replace a Steamship in 1864 it is estimated it would take approximately $435,000. The owners were only reimbursed, $11,604.59.
I found an interesting article published in the New York Times that was News of the War in the Southwest published on December 22 1862. The article contained the following:
“The Steamer Millboy while taking on cotton at Commerce Mississippi on Wednesday last, was surprised by Blythe’s Rebel Calvary and fired upon. 3 persons were killed. The Millboy returned to Helena and reported the facts. The Gunboat Juliet and The Transport City Belle with Detachments of 11th and 47th Indiana were dispatched to Commerce where they arrived At Thursday night and burnt the town and plantations for 5 miles around. 1 prisoners taken”.
This was a prelude to Hopefield being burned. The Mill Boy played a part in at least two southern towns being burned.