| 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. |
|