| From the Richmond Dispatch |
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| October 22, 1861 |
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| Diabolical Act |
| The Sumter Watchman, of the 18th,
publishes the following: |
| Some fiend incarnate, in human form,
placed upon the railroad track {on the
Wilmington & Manchester RR, about a mile from this place, on
Wednesdaynight last, a number of cross-ties. As though by the special
Providence of God, the early train from the Northward did not arrive
at its given hour. Had it so arrived, fearful destruction and loss of
life would no doubt have been the result, as it would have run up to
the hellish trap at full speed amid the darkness of the night. |
| The engineer of the train from the
Southward, (from Kingsville,) which arrives at the place in question
about daylight, discovered the obstacles upon the road, and by the
most vigorous reverse action of his engine, coupled with the utmost
power of the brakes, so slackened the speed of his train as to cause
the wheels of the engine to roll gently over one or two of the
cross-ties and catch again upon the rail,
effecting no injury. This diabolical scheme could have been prompted
but by the most infernal personal hate to some one expected upon the
train, or by a bloody-minded enmity to our people and cause generally.
The evidence of this is sufficiently strong to induce some measures of
vigilance and precaution. |
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