The New York herald., 1862-02-14
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT NEWPORT NEWS.
Explosion OF . Sawyer Gun-Two mem
Killed ON the Spot, Two severely IN"
About Ten Lightly Injured.
OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENCE


About Ten Lightly injured.
OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP BUTIxR, NEWPORT NEws, Va, Feb H. 1907
Our camp is in mourning to-day. terrible accident
occurred yesterday afternoon al hafpast hvo O'CLOCK
by which two men instantly killed, two were dan
gcrously wounded and number received injuries oil
less serious nature Tho particulars OF the catastrophe
about folows:-Ths three gentlemen composing
the New York "Alotmsnt Commission" after having
finished their labors with the first regiment took walk
camp inspect the fortihcations General Mans
field, who wished 10 show them the range Of guSs,
coumbiads and the Sawyer gun to be
fred One shot fred by the former and two by the
latter and at the last shot Of the Sawyer, burst
with terrific report, instantly killing two and wound
ing about dozen less severely Large pieces
Of the gun thrown back with immense force one
piece part OF the bridge, weighing half ton being
thrown to height Of forty feet and falling at distance
Of ono hundred and fifty feet near the great flagstaff
II is wonder to every that more were killed and
injured Had the embankment around the gun not bsen
high causing the larger pieces to be embodied In It
the loss of life have terrible for there were
not less than fifteen hundred men standing at the time
within Atty feet OF the scene Of the accident.
General Mansfield had q most miraculous escape; tho
right in front Of him was killed on tho spot
while Major stetson, Of tho Eleventh New York; who
csSN VI
Those who stood on the south side Of the gun were
stunned by the report and nearly blown of their feet
the shock terrific and the gravel and oarth that flew
around severely beat tho faces Of all in tho immediate
vicinity Lieutenant Colonel Nauman and First Leuten-
ant Sanger Of the First artillery who directed the work
ing OF the guns, also had very narrow escape.
Tho squad doing service at the Sawyer gun vas de-
tailed from the Twenty ninth Massachusetts regiment
and was under the immediate command Of Lieutenant
John Smith, of CompanyI
The following is list of
THE KILLED.
l. Charles f. JONES' of Company D, Twenty ninth Mas
sachrsets Volunteers. He belonged to the gun squad,
and was killed right in front of General Mansfield The
gun carriage struck him on the hoad, Transforming
into one rghtul nndistngushabc mass and also break
ing his left He native Of New York city, and
wo ked as glider glass factory in Sandw. a. Massa.
chusetts the time the broke out. He twenty
years of age, and bore excellent character man
aud solder
2. james w. Sheppard, OF Company B, same regiment
He was merely spectator and killed by piece Of
the bridge, weighing about fifty pounds, that fell
some forty feet from the place of explosion.
When the gun burst, he commenced running,
although warned to stand still by his commander,
Captain Wilson. Had he remained at the place
where he first stood he would have escaped unhurt
AA"uoo
carpenter by trade; he great favors with all who
knew him. and always willing to obligc any one to
the best OF his ability He twentyfou years Of
age and was married in Lowell the very day Of his
lstment. He had the day before yesterday got fur
Tough made by his captain 60 home and visit his
wife, and it only wanted the Generals signature. Now
alas! his furlough has been signed by higher Power,
and his young wife will wait in vain to hear again the
cherished voice. only the still pale face will remind her
of him, whom she expected to see in all the
health and joy Of blooming manhood
THE WOUNDED.
l. William W. Boman, Of Company I. same regiment.
He was also a cannoncer and suffers from de-
preston Of tho skull He Ia not in his right mind and
piteously most Of the time Although his case is
very critical still the say that all chances Of his
recovery are not gone.
q Seth W. Patty, OF Company E, same regiment, was
struck by the gun carriage the chest and would
doubt have died he had not possessed very strong
constitution He has three ribs broken but
the lungs do not seem be injured Tho chances OF his
recovery are good
sailor belonging to the United States sloop war
Cumberland sustained \ severe confusion OF the loft oye
which probably will deprive him Of the Of it, He was
at once taken on board Of his ship by his comrades.
A. John +. Hall, Of Company E, Twenty ninth Massa
chusetts Volunteers the gunner Of the squad His
left cut but not severely and his face some
what burned by powder.
6. George Sullivan. Of Company I, Same regiment,
cannoneer had his face burned by POWDER his case
all the following ones, is not dangerous.
g. Lieutenant John Smith, same company and reg
ment and commander OF the gun squad wounded by
small piece Of entering his leg; it was extracted
last night by Dr. Brown surgeon Of the regiment, and
this morning he is doing well.
Major Ststson, of the Eleventh New York. received
cut under the eye and wounded in the finger by
splinter OF IRON Captain Dyer Assistant Adutant Gene
raj; Captain Gaebc, Of Company A. Seventh New York
Volunteers Captain Mcguire Of Company Second New
York Volunteers, and several others, slightly
wounded tho face by the gravel that scattered
around by the explosion None Of the cases. however
are OF any importance, except the two FIRST named.
The body Of Sheppard will be sent home to-day by
Adams Express Company. Jones will be buried this
afternoon at the graveyard outside Of camp with al
military honors.
This accident has cast gloom OF sadness over our
camp. In all directions men can bc seen standing in
groups discussing the matter and expressing their sym
pathy the sufferers Even glorious from the
Burnside expedition sufficient cheer the sorrow
full faces bu, such is life, and especially life in camp
joy and follow in quick succession day and
night.
General Mansfield has ordered o beard of inquiry to
convene this morning. under the presidency Of
colonel Nauman OF the First artillery for the purpose OF
examining into the causes that led to the explosion Of the
gun. At present tho opinions varied hnk the
remedy high elevation (twenty nine degress) the
oe others think the material of the gun detective
others again. that the fault laid shell Whatever
animation and Twill, IL possible. send copy Of their
report.
GENERAL HUNTERS EXPEDITION.