| From the Richmond Dispatch |
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| August 14, 1861 |
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| The Railroad accident |
| Further particulars of the lamentable
accident on the {Virginia} Central Road
have been furnished us, and it seems to have been one of those sad but
unavoidable occurrences for which no particular blame could be
attached to any of the employees of the road. The rain of Sunday night
had been very heavy, and it was feared the little streams, swollen to
unusual proportions, might have washed the soft soil from beneath the
track in some of the gullies or ravines through which they ran. About
four miles this side the junction with the Fredericksburg Road {Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR}, there is an embankment
through which a culvert ran, at this time filled with a swollen and
turbid stream, which made large excavations in the sides as it dashed
through. This place was a point of suspicion, and the engineer at the
junction telegraphed his fears to this city, and advised the train to
proceed with great caution; but, unfortunately, the cars had left the
station before the telegram was received. The Superintendent
immediately sent word to start out an engine with red lights, to give
warning at the spot where it was supposed there was a liability of the
track being washed away. This was done at once; but before reaching
the spot, the outward bound train had been precipitated over the
embankment, with its freight and passengers, smashing the cars in a
frightful manner, and wounding many of the unfortunate soldiers who
were on board. The result as given in our paper of yesterday was
correct as far as it went, although there were many others who
received some slight hurts, bruises, scratches and contusions. A
competent medical force was at once dispatched to the scene of the
disaster, and every possible attention given to the wounded sufferers,
who are now being cared for at the various houses in the vicinity. |
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