| From the Richmond Daily Dispatch |
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| July 22, 1861 |
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| A South Carolinian killed by a Railroad car |
| The Petersburg Express of Saturday records
the death of private J. C. Wrenn, of the Catawba Light Infantry, Capt.
J. L. Stratt, of the Sixth Regiment South Carolina volunteers. The
unfortunate accident occurred about one o'clock on Thursdaynight, at
Johnson's Plain, six miles beyond Ream's Station {on
the Petersburg RR}, and about sixteen
miles from Petersburg, while, gay and light-hearted his company was coming on to engage in
the defence of Virginia and the South. Mr. Wrenn and a portion of his
company were riding upon a flat car attached
to the train, he being seated on the front bench very near the edge of
the car. Wearied and worn down by the
fatigue of a long journey he unconsciously fell asleep, and while in
that state, aided it is supposed by a slight jar of the train, he
pitched forward and fell between the two cars Awakened by the fall, he
endeavored to sustain himself, but to no use. The car
passed over his body, cutting off his right leg near the knee,
breaking his left arm in two places, crushing the shoulder, breaking
his neck and otherwise horribly mangling him. Of course his death was
immediate. The body was brought to that city Friday, and taken to the
residence of one of its most estimable and kind hearted citizens,
where it was properly taken care of and placed in a neat coffin. The
corpse was buried Fridayafternoon in Blandford with military honors. |
| Mr. Wrenn is represented as having been a most
exemplary young man, correct in all his habits, and upright, honest
and manly in character. He was only twenty-three years of age. He was
the pride of the company and possessed the full confidence of his
officers and companions. He was from Chester District, South Carolina, and leaves a mother, brother, and two sisters. |
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