MISC, RF&P 7/21/1861

1st Texas Regiment Unit Diary
 
July 21, 1861
 
   Rushed to a long special train of box cars and started over the Richmond and Fredericksville rail road {Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac RR} late in the afternoon for Manassas junction in a pouring rain. Floods and rain had fallen during the day and it was dark and rainy as we steamed northward with what is called a 'double header' ie an engine in front and one in the rear of our long train containing about 1300 men. About 9:00 pm the train dashed into a washout culvert, and a frightful wreck ensued. About 40 young men were killed and crippled, and half a dozen cars crushed into kindle wood.

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