| From the Richmond Sentinel |
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| July 8, 1863 |
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| The Locomotive Explosion |
| The locomotive Jeff Davis, which exploded
at Falling creek, six miles from the city, on the Richmond &
Petersburg Railroad, on Monday evening, was one of the best engines in
the company's service, and it is hardly probable that the cause of the
accident will ever be known, especially since the engineer and fireman
were both killed. The force of the explosion threw the engine into the
air twenty feet and pitched it forward on the track about a hundred
feet, throwing it completely round. The cow-catcher was thrown about
ninety feet, and buried two feet deep in the earth. The fillets of
wood on the tender were thrown in every direction, some of them
striking the occupants of the cars and producing serious, in some
instances fatal wounds. Mr. Hugh Burns, the engineer, died in about
half an hour after the accident, and the fireman, a free negro named
James Trent, was killed instantly. Mr. Burns was a resident of
Petersburg, and his remains were taken to that place for interment. He
was reputed to be one of the most careful engineers on the road. Three
others, a sailor and two soldiers, were killed, but we have been
unable to learn their names. One of them was sitting on the top of the
third car, and was killed instantly, probably by a billet of wood. He
was found dead in an upright posture, with his hands thrown out before
him. The following wounded men were brought to the city on Monday
night, and sent to Bailey's Factory Hospital, on 7th street: Elbert
Collins, private, company A, 42d Georgia; James D. Ward, 3d sergeant,
company A, 4th Mississippi; W. T. Ward, 1st sergeant, company A, 4th
Mississippi; W. P. Caldwell, private, company C, 40th Georgia; J. J.
Phillips, private, company B, 36th Georgia; James Stewart, private,
company G, 27th Alabama; J. A. Weaver, private company D, 4th Alabama
battalion, R. C. Sullins, priv. co. C, 4th Miss., (leg amputated below
the knee); and one other, who has been insensible ever since the
occurrence, and is unable to give his name. He will probably die, but
the chances for the recovery of the others are favorable. The train
had on board about 100 lady refugees who recently arrived by flag of
truce, none of whom were hurt, though the floor of one of the cars
which they occupied was smashed. The scene is represented to have been
fearful in the extreme. The cries of the wounded, mingled with the
shrieks of frightened ladies, (one of whom fainted,) and everything
was in almost inextricable confusion. At length, however, the train
arrived from Richmond, and after much difficulty the passengers were
transferred, and arrived here safely about 10 o'clock. |
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