The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-06
APPALLING DISASTER ON THE CAMDEN
AND AMBOY RAILROAD.
From the Philadelphia Ledger of August 80


The train of cars which leis Philadelphia at
ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, consisting
of five passenger cars, baggage car, and loco
motive had reached Burlington Just before
eleven o'clock. 1t then stopped waiting for
the arrival of the eight o'clock New York train
from Jersey city, which passes at this place.
After waiting for from five to ten minutes, and
the New York train not appearing, the Phla-
delphia train went forward slowly, watching for
the approach of the downward train. 1t had
gone forward about a mile and quarter, when
the New York train came in sight The whis-
tie for the breaks and to reverse the engine was
blown, and the Philadelphia train commenced
backing, and soon got under rapid Roadway for
Burlington again. In this reverse movement,
the passenger cars, usually placed behind, and
coming after the locomotive, were now in front,
and pushed forward by the locomotive.
The engineer, being with the locomotive, of
course had not the advantage of seeing what
was ahead of the backward going train. He
had run but a quarter of q mile, and mile
from Burlington, when the first passenger car
came in collision with light pleasure wagon,
driven by DIR. flanagan, of Columbus, New
Jersey, who attempted to cross the track in
front of the cars. The wagon contained DR..
flanagan, his wife, and two children. The
former, it is said, is hard of hearing, and by
this infrmity caused an accident nearly similar,
but not so fatal near Beverly, about year ago.
The Doctor had seen the cars pass as he was
driving down the road, and, supposing all safe,
neglected to keep a proper lookout.
The first passenger car struck the two horses
in the wagon just as they were crossing the
track, killed them instantly, and threw one thir
ty feet on one side of the track, and the other
forty yards on the other side. The wagon was
turned round and upset, none of its inmates be-
ing injured except in slight bruises. The front
car, (A,) after striking the horses, ran forward
and off the track about one hundred yards, and
over small embankment the second car (B)
was thrown directly across the track; the third
car (C) went through car B, and stopped diago-
nally across the road; the fourth car (D) fol-
lowed, and ran into car G. The filth passen-
ger car and the baggage car stopped without
leaving the track. The two latter were not in.
iured, but three of the other passenger cars
were knocked to peices, and many of their oc-
cupants were killed, wounded, and manned.
1t is impossible to describe the horrible scene
that ensued. The cars were piled upon each
other, and numbers of human beings were lying
among the ruins-some dead, some dying, some
shrieking from pain. Those saved in the train,
and the passengers on the down train, aided by
citizens of Burlington, who were quickly in
formed of the terrible accident, went to work
to rescue the wounded and dying from the
ruins. AS soon as taken out, they were convey
ed to Burlington, where many private houses,
as well as Agnew's and Kelly's taverns, we're
thrown open to the admission of the wounded,
while the Lyceum was appropriated for the re-
ception of the dead. Some had been crushed
to death instantly, leaving scarcely trace to
recognise them by; some had been torn limb
from limb by the splinters, benches, and floors,
and their remains scattered in everu a::roo,;on
many were suffering from crushed limbs bro'
ken backs, and injured and lacerated bodies.
The scene was heart-sickeninp one Init
amid amid all its terrors, there we're noble in.
stances Of resignation, a selfsacrifcinno snir;t
from the sufferers, which honored human ma.
ture.. One gentleman, the Hon. William B.
McClay, ex-member of Congress from New
York, who was severely injured, begged those
who came to his aid to give their attention to
others more dangerously wounded. One indi-
vidual, with his foot crushed, refused to receive
the aid of the doctors till they had relieved the
sufferings Of others who seemed more to require
medical assistance,