| From the Richmond Dispatch |
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| May 19, 1864 |
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| Accident on the Danville Railroad -- six persons killed
and several wounded |
| About 2 o'clockyesterday morning an
accident occurred on the {Richmond &} Danville
railroad, by which six persons were killed and several wounded. It
appears that on Monday a number of soldiers and citizens of Danville
organized themselves into a body for the purpose of resisting any
advance which it was reported the Yankee raiders were making upon that
place. On Tuesdayafternoon a large cannon was placed upon a coal car,
which was placed in charge of a detachment of soldiers and run up to
and upon the west end of the Staunton river bridge, so as to prevent
its destruction by the raiders or them from crossing. Not knowing
anything of this obstruction, about two o'clockyesterday morning a
freight train, loaded with Government corn, on its way to this city,
came in contact with the car which had been placed on the bridge for
its protection, and, knocking it from the track [ precipitated ]
it into the river below, a distance of about thirty feet, killing
outright six soldiers and wounding several others. They hailed from
South Carolina, and were under the command of Col. Miller, of that
State. The center cord of the bridge was broken in two and some
portion of the west end was carried down by the severe concussion
which ensued. Six cars, it is reported, fell through and were entirely
demolished, but the engine,
("Gazelle,") probably lodging on one of the abutments, was
not seriously damaged. The place at which the accident took place is
about ninety-five miles from this city, and only a short distance from
Danville. We are informed that workmen are already engaged in
repairing the damage to the bridge and that the interruption to
communication between this city and Danville will only be for a few
days. |
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