Washington, DC Train Wreck, Sept 1861

ACCIDENT ON THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.

The passenger train which left Washington at a quarter to seven o'clock, yesterday morning, for this city, met with an accident just after starting out, by which it was detained for over two hours behind schedule time, and in which several employees of the road were injured, some of them, perhaps, seriously.

From one of our reporters, who was on the train, we learn the following particulars:
When nearing Eldridge's Lane, (which is about twenty miles this side of the Federal capital,) the engineer perceived a number of cows on the track, and promptly whistled “down brakes.” The injunction was a promptly complied with; but too late – a crash, then a shock, and the engine, tender, and baggage were thrown a shapeless wreck across the track.

MR. WILLIAM GALLOWAY, the engineer, sustained several injuries, all of them of a trivial character. The baggage-master, GEORGE MITCHELL, was quite seriously injured in the side, but will recover, beyond a doubt. Several other persons either sustained bruises or fancied internal injuries, and, for a while, all was wild commotion. Assistance was telegraphed for to Baltimore, and workmen speedily set to work to clear away the wreck and rubbish. The train reached the city between one and two o'clock.

Philadelphia Press Pennsylvania 1861-09-11
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!