NP, SFU 8/20A/1861

From the Southern Federal Union (Milledgeville, Ga.)
 
August 20, 1861
 
Rail Road Accident
On the Muscogee Rail Road
   Through the politeness of one of the members of the Columbus Volunteers, who was an eye witness, we are put in possession of the following particulars of an accident which happened yesterday afternoon, to the train which left Columbus at 3 1/2 o'clock, P. M., for Macon.
   About the hour of departure and previously, the attendance of a large crowd of people to witness the departure of the train, on which were three companies of soldiers, as follows:
   The Harris Guards, Capt. McCullough
   Georgia Guards, Capt. Thompson
   Columbus Volunteers, Capt. F. S. Chapman
   The train from Macon arrived and reported all safe, at least that was the presumption. On arrival of the train, however, at Odom's, some fourteen or sixteen miles east of Columbus, and within a short distance of the place where the previous accident occurred, on the same road, and before the Engineer was aware of the danger, the engine and tender were precipitated into a wash of some twenty or thirty feet in width, which had been made in an embankment, leaving the rails in their position but destitute of support. The first baggage car was thrown upon the engine and tender, and the second baggage was projected through the first, and third car running through and stopping over the engine and in the first car. The truck of the fourth car was broken, leaving the box on the track.
   By this accident, Jacob Burrus, the Engineer, was slightly bruised. Also the Fireman. A negro was hurt, but not enough to prevent him taking the track and running into Columbus to bear exaggerated tidings of the disaster, which brought out the President and Superintendent of the road, and a number of Physicians and citizens, to the relief of the sufferers.
   But one of the soldiers was killed -- Corporal D. C. Moore, of the Columbus Volunteers. A negroe boy, Joe, suppossed to be a servant of the company, was also killed, and a negro boy, belonging to Private Thweatt, was seriously wounded, and it is thought will die.
   The remains of Corporal Moore were sent back to Columbus, in charge of Lieut. O'Keefe, the three brothers of Moore accompanying.
Charles Williams, a member of the Harris Guards, had his arm sprained, and one of the passengers (Mr. Messler) was slightly wounded in the face.
   The baggage of the Columbus Volunteers (which company was equpped in the best style) was almost entirely demolished. Their Camp equppage, Medicine Chest, &c., was a perfect wreck. The other companies were fortunate in losing nothing. The companies and baggage were early this morning transferred to the train that arrived at the scene of disaster, from Macon, and were brought to this place at 12 M. They leave this evening for Atlanta where Colonel Benning's Regiment was ordered to rendezvous today, it being understood that these companies will be attached thereto.
   Mr. and Mrs. Whittelsey, living near, discovered the break, just before the time for the arrival of the train -- Mrs. W. proceeding forward in a drenching rain, to give signal to the Engineer of the danger, but her good intentions were thwarted by not being understood, or by the Engineer supposing her signals to be cheers for the soldiers.
   After the accident, the most unbounded hospitality was extended to the soldiers by Mr. and Mrs. Whittelsey, and others residing near, for which the soldier's thanks are duly tendered.
   Mr. McIlvain and Dr. Whittelsey also deserve favorable mention for the efforts made by them for the relief of the sufferers.

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