| From the Southern Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.) |
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| June 9, 1863 |
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| Terrible Railroad Accident |
| On Saturday night, about half-past twelve
o'clock, a terrible accident attended with the instant death of eleven
negroes, and mortally injuring several others, occurred to an extra
train of box cars, having on board from five to six hundred negroes.
The train was from Augusta, and the negroes belonging to Gen. Wade
Hampton and brother, were en route from Mississippi to Columbia, S. C.
The accident took place near Hamburg on the Augusta road, about
fifteen miles from Branchville {South Carolina
RR}. It appears that several of the cars on the extra train
became disconnected and were left standing on the track, the negroes
inside being asleep and totally unconscious of their situation. |
| The down passenger train, which was
running on schedule time, came up, and the brakes applied, but too
late to prevent a collision. The engine plunged into the train of
cars, running over and into them, making itself and two of the cars a
complete wreck. |
| The scene that followed was indescribable.
Assistance was sent for to Branchville, and everything possible done
for the relief of the sufferers. Only one, a colored fireman, was
injured on the passenger train. He attempted to jump off, and had his
leg slightly sprained. In addition to those killed on the extra train,
it is thought three others will die from their injuries. |
| The passengers are warm in their praise
and exculpation of the Engineer and Conductor on their train, as they
made every effort to reverse the engine, &c., but found it
impossible. |
| Charleston Courier |
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