Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-07-02
For tie Spectato'
Letter from Capt. Imboden'
CAMP 3RD BRIGADE Y. D II
W4NoHEsrEE. June %, 1861. J

CAMP 3RD BRIGADE Y. D "a.
WINoHEsrEk June 70, 1861. !
1fr. Editor "A painful accident occurred IN
my Company last evening, which VIII natuiaiy
excite inquiry amongst our friends at nome
therefore will state the facts for the information
of ali who may feel interested.
The timber boxes of our guns nave oeeh hho'
with fixed ammunition for several weeKs' care
fully packed in tow. The priming tubes TOT nrihg
the guns, filled with Illuminating powder' are
carried in trav in the top of the box. BY some
means one of these tubes must have WORKED
through an air-hole provided in the ooltohi u
the tray and lodged amongst the ammuhltlon IL
| the box below, where, think, by the motion u
the carriage on the field, it was ignted oy lrlc-
| ton and set fire to the tow packed IN one emu u
the limbcr box containing % rounds OF ammuhi-
ton. We were drilling as usual last evening,
and Just as two of the guns were wheellng into
battery out of trot the timber box OF gun NO.
4 exploded. There were thirty odd POUNDS OF
powder in it, tearing it to atoms, and throwing
| the fragments of wood and iron in every direc-
ton, some hundred feet in the air. The can
noneers were all around the gun at the moment,
and were nearly all thrown some distance upon
the ground and against a fence None were Sc
riousiy hurt except gunner Samuel Ii. Coleman,
who was the nearest to the box, and was struck
| in the forehead by fragment, which fractured
| his scull above the left eye, and produced a Sc
we're confusion on the other brow. Saml Clarke,
James Teabo. JOS. Sharpe and Henry Thise were
scorched in the face. but not seriously, and
Clarke had bis left arm Scorched about the elbow
1t it miraculous that they were not all instantly
killed. AS it was, poor Coleman was the only
serious sufferer. His injuries very great
perhaps fatal, though he is perfectly rational
free from fever and comparatively comfortable
/ this morning.
The explosion was purely accidental, and un
accountable on any other hypothesis than that
have given above.
i The wheel horses were considerably burnt
Sandy Peace, the wheel driver. had all the hail
on the back of his head singed off and his shir
blown to pieces, but was not hurt. VIM Taylc
was by Coleman's side, and was thrown will
great violence against the fence and had his cal
entirely carried away, but is not hurt. The
burnt men will all be well in a few days. Cole
man, if he survives, will be confined long time
This is the first serious casualty that has oc
J over US all. No possible blame can attach te
), any one. A number ofus, including Lieut.. Bal
this and myself, were within 20 steps, and a
niongst the flying fragments which fortunately
missed us all. One ball flew across the entire
battery TO the other side Of the field. We would
all rather take the chances of five hours bat
tie, than of another such explosion. The dam
age to the gun will be repaired to-day.
In closing, will take this first public oppor
tunity of saying, as act of justice to my boys
; that better company Of men Is no where to bt
found in the army. They have at all times be
haved like gentlemen, and worked like horses
, We have had great deal of hard service, and
have yet to hear the first murmur OF dissatsfac
. | tion. Such men, when the battle comes, an
: Lsuraw;n sshurt'' somebody die in the effort.
N j. D. IMBODEN, Capt.
: Staunton Artillery.