| 1st Texas Regiment Unit Diary |
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| July 21, 1861 |
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| 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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