Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-04
Particular rs of the Railroad Disaster.

The terrible accident that occurred on Wednes-
day night, on the 26h ult., Oh the Chicago and
Northwestern Railway, proves to have been in
deed sad and heart sckenng affair."
ltappears that the train on which the casr-
atty took place, was the foremost one of the two
special trains that had been chartered to bring
from GAINESVILLE to this city, the Sd Wisconsin
cavalry regiment, Col. Barstow. TIL first
train left GAINESVILLE at AS P. NJ, and the Sec
ond left about twenty minutes later. As they
were special trains and the way was clear, they
were run at about the usual rate of speed ex-
peeting to arrive here at half-past ten The
first train consisting of one engine andtender, :
six, baggage aud eleven passenger cars-seven
teen in all-snugly filled with soldiers, their
baggage and equipments. The train was in
charge of Conductor John Hull, and Engineer
N. Fl Barns. All went we'll It'll they had got
within about half a mile of the crossing of the
Q. d N. W, and the G. and NJ ralroads-about
four miles from the Chicago depot of the latter
company-when the forward axle of the first
passenger car broke close to the wheel In this
condition, the train was dragged along for per-
maps two hundred yards, and until the b oxen
car crossed culveft, where there was a cattle
yard. At this point, the detached wheel fell
though, the running gear of the car struck the
ground and ties with great violence, SO that the
tram was torn asunder the bumper of the
first passenger car being torn from its fastenings
AT this moment, the first cara second class
one-was thrown from the track, on the right
hand side, but none of its inmates were serious
ly hurt. Those in the second car did not es-
cape so well. This coach was thrown over up
on lis side, to the left, into ditch, some three
feet below the track This ditch was full of
water, and into its muddy depths the unfortu-
nate soldiers were suddenly plunged their
heads being submerged, and the weight of their
companions, their accoutrements and the wreck,
OF the coach, all pressing upon them, seven of
the number were unable to extrcate themselves
and when taken out-a few moments later
were, of course, dead. These men were all
more or less bruised, it is true, but from care
full examination of the bodies in the morning.
it was apparent tha they had received no NOR
tai wounds, but had been subjected to the horri-
BILE fate Of being suffocated in that filthy ditch.
The thru car was tumbled partly off the track,
the rear end of it was struck BY the fourth,
crushed into a thousand fragments, and three
soldiers instantly killed, while others were Sc
verely injured. The fourth car was not so bad
ly smashed up as the others, though it was af-
terwards very nearly destroyed in the process
OF removal from The track. AS soon as the un
injured persons on the train discovered what had
occurred, they at once set about the work of re-
moving the dead bodies, and giving what SUE
cor was possible to those who were injured but
still living. The engine and baggage cars came
= this city and hastily returned with assistance.
BY daylight the track was again cleared. and
he second special train-which was duly sic
lalled as soon as the accident occcurred-came
1oWn, bringing the regiment, including the
lead and wounded.
HR HREcx.-ln company with The Coroner.