Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-12-31

L CAL.
And now commenced my apprentice
ship to running a Secession railroad train,
with rebel regiment on board. The
engine behaved admirably, and I began
to feel quite safe, for she Obeyed every
command 1 gave her, as if she acknowl-
edged me her rightful lord.
I could not but be startled at the po-
sitiOn in which was placed, holding in
my hand the lives of more than thou
sand men, running train Of twenty-five
cars over road I had never seen, run
ming without head light, and the road
so dark I could only see rod or two
ahead, and, to crown all, knowing moth
ing Of the business. Of course I ran
slowly, about ten miles an hour, and never
took my hand off the throttle or my eye
from the road, The Colonel at length
grew confident, and almost confidential,
and did most of the talking, as I had no
time for conversation. When we had
run about thirty miles, and everything
was going well, Colonel Williams conelu-
ded to walk back, on the top of the box
cars, to a passenger car which was at
tached to the rear of the train and occu-
pied by the officers.
This somewhat hazardous move he com
menced just as we struck stretch of tres
tie work which carried the road over a
gorge of some fifty feet deep. As the
locomotive reached the end of the trestle
work the grade rose a little, and could
see through or in deep cut, which the
Iroad ran into, an obstruction. What ii
was, or how far ahead, I had almost no
conception; but quick as thought--and
thought is quick as lightning under such
circumstances Il Rhistled for the brakes,
shut of steam, and waited the collision.
/ I would have reversed the engine, but a
fear that a reversal of its action would
crawd up the cars on the trestle work
and throw them into the gorge below,
forbade nor was there wisdom il jump
ing of, as the steep embankments on
either side would prevent escape from the
wreck Of the cars when the collision
came. All this was decided in an ms
tant of time, and calmly awaited the
shock which 1 saw was unavoidable.
Though the speed, which was very mod
crate before, was considerably diminish
ed in the fifty yards between the obsta=
Gle and the head of the train, I saw that
we would certainly run into the reay Of
another train, which was the obstruction
had seen.
The first car struck, was loaded with
hay and grain. Ny engine literally split
it in two, throwing the hay right and left
and scattering the grain like chaff The
next car, loaded with horses, was in like
manner torn to pieces, and the horses
piled upon the sides Of the road. The
third car, loaded with tents and camp
equipage, seemed to present greater re-
sistance, as the locomotive only reached
it and came to a stand-stilI
My emotions during these moments
were most peculiar. watohed the re-
morseless pressure of the engine with
almost admiration. It appeared to be
deliberate, and resolute, and ipsatiabIe.
The shock was not great, the advance
seemed very slow; but it plowed on
through car after car with a steady and
determined course, which suggested at
that critical moment vast and resistless
living agent. When motion ceased, I
knew my time of trial was near; for if
Colonel Williams had not been thrown
from the top of the cars into the gorge
below, he would soon be forward to exc
cute his threat-to shoot me if an acci-
dent occurred. I stepped out of the cab
on the railing running along to the smoke
stack SO as to be out of view Of one com
ing forward toward the engine, and yet
to have him in the full light of the Ian
tern which hung in the cab.
Exactly as had surmised-fOr I had
seen a specimen of his fierce temper and
recklessness-he came stamping and ours
ing, and jumping from the car on to the
tender, he drew a pistol and cried out,
"Where is that cursed engineer that did
this pretty job? I'll shoot him the min
ute I lay my eyes on him."
I threw up my six shooter so that the
light of the lantern shone upon it, while
he could see but indistinctly, if at all, and
said with deliberation: "Colonel Will
Jams, if you raise your pistol you are
dead man; don't stir, but listen to me
2 have done Just what any man must nave
done under the circumstances. I TstopPed
&c tras rs soon as possible. and I - COR
77iteer7ojss1fa # y aEs reasonable
ra4a: but not another word Of shooting,
or you go down
.'Don't shoot, don't shoot, he cried.
sPut up your pistol and SO will l. ; I
replied.