| From the Savannah Morning News |
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| January 19, 1863 |
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| Accident on the Central
{(of Georgia)} Railroad |
| We regret to learn that an
accident occurred on the Central Railroad on Saturday morning, about one
o'clock, by which two men were killed, and several passengers more or
less injured. The night train which had left Macon for Savannah had
proceeded near to the 126 mile post, west of Millen, when a wheel of the
hind truck of the fourth car broke, and drew out and ran under the fifth
car, which was the Savannah baggage car. In this car was James Creed,
and Express messenger, and Patrick Dodd, the baggage master, both of
whom were killed. There were also two negroes in the car, one of whom,
belonging to Mr. Hawood, had his leg broke, and the other, belonging to
Mr. Albert Dasher, was so severely injured in the breast that it is
thought he cannot survive. |
| Two of the passenger cars,
containing a number of ladies and gentlemen, were also thrown from the
track. We have not been able to obtain a full account of the injuries
sustained by the passengers, but learn that none of them were very
seriously hurt. It is reported that a lady was injured in the shoulder,
and it was thought her shoulder blade had been broken. She came down to
Millen and proceeded to Augusta. A gentleman from Alabama, on his way to
Augusta, received a wound in the head, and another to his side, but
neither was regarded as serious. Several other passengers received
slight bruises. |
| Mr. James Creed, the express
messenger, who was killed, was a very worthy man, about thirty years of
age. He leaves a wife and four children in this city. He was an
Englishman by birth and resided in Savannah a number of years. When the
war broke out, he joined the Washington Volunteers, Captain
McMahon, and was with his corps at Fort Pulaski during the bombardment.
Although unwell at the time, he served his gun well, and stood
faithfully at his post until ordered to retire. He was taken a prisoner
to New York, and had but recently returned to the city. Only the day
before the accident, he obtained employment in the Express office as
messenger, and this was his first trip on the road. |
| Patrick Dodd the
baggage-master, was an Irishman by birth, in the employment of the
Railroad Company. He leaves a wife and child in this city. |
| After the accident, the engine
and tender, together with the express car, in which was Mr. Hollister,
having broken loose from the train, ran about three hundred yards before
they could be stopped. |
| We learn that one side of the
track was torn up about one hundred yards. The damage to the track has
no doubt been repaired before this, as Mr. Burns, the master machinist
of the road, together with other officers and employees, left for the
scene of the accident as soon as it was known in this city. |
| The baggage car was broken to
pieces and the trunk and boxes with their contents, scattered along the
track. The night was cold and dark. Every attention was given the
passengers to make them comfortable in the cars which remained on the
track. As soon as possible, the road was cleared of the obstructions,
and the passengers sent to Millen. Those bound to Augusta took the
Augusta train, and the Savannah passengers arrived at half past seven on
Saturday night. |
| This is the first accident of
any importance that has occurred on the Central Railroad for several
years. Being one of the best managed roads in the South, with
experienced and careful officers and employees in every department, no
blame can be attached to them for an accident which forethought or
caution could have prevented. |
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