The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-08
LOCAL MATTERS.

TEsnfsIs ExrLosros or oFsSngLL--EIoHr PgRs6xs
KmLso.- On Saturday last the town Of Manchester
was the scene of an accident attended with tic most
serious and tleplorabe results. IL seems that At
about two o'clock cn that day, two wagons ioaaed
with shells taken from the baftle-iieid, drove u 70
c. Bradey's foundry in Manchester, near the fo1 o.
Mayos6 bridge, at which it was Intended 70 rtcsSt
them One of these wagons having been nnlosiesi,
was driven off distance, and ITS driver re-
turned to assist in unloading the other wagon
Several persons, among them three white boys, weIo
standing around the wagon. While throwing oui
the shells one Of them, when unfortunately tarHed
out T., be- loaded was exploded, communicating
fire 10 number Of others in the wagon, which, by
terrible mistake or oyersigh were siSo ioaaea
The report which ensned was distincty heafh IN az
parts OF this cty, and resefnbtsd ~ sou.a tI.at =,
the louest clap of thunder succeeded by oecasoiial
reports OF less violent character causing surmises
the most strange and improbable. Fragments OF
shells were thrown % the four quarters, some 70
considerable distance, others passing through The
rear of Mr. Bradleys foundry, without, howeyas,
inflicting any other damage than that caused by
several large holes cut through the house. the wofk
men escaping without injury. Sad to relate tnose
who Immediately around the spot Jared fas eai-
ferenty, and every one Of thesn eight IN nimoef,
were killed Three Of the number were ntfie wnite
boys who had been IN the habit oil playihS around
the foundry, and repeatedly warned ey MT
Bradley of the danger risked in doing 30 Besidss
the shocking manner in which they were mutiiaied
the clothes Of the victims took ire anu burnt aest
entirely off them.
The following is q correct list OF those VINO were
killed:
William Seward aged eleven years, son OF Joseph
f. Seaward, employee ut Bradlcy's foundry, hnd
both arms broken, both feet cut oil and hif body
mangied.
John Stywad, aged six years, son Of William H.
Stywald, Mr.. Bradley's foreman en.raIls cut out,
legs and arms broken and head mashed.
William Massaker, aged about nine years, son OF
William Massakcr, who is engaged ut the Manehes-
ter cotton factory, wounded through the body limbs
and head.
Charles Thomas, slave of Mrs. Gee, of Culpeper;
Abner johnson, slave Of Alexander Hills estate
Davy, slave of - Hudson, OF this city; Robert
slave of Alexander Moody, OF Chesterfield, ana
Charles slave of James Cooper, of Manchester
The three last named employees at the Man
chester foundry. The bodies of these negroes were
literally blown TO pieces the brains OF one OF them
having been carried in connected lump to con-
siderable distance while fragments of limbs strewed
the ground, presenting spectacle ahke ghastiy and
revolving. At spot could be the head OF q
negro as seemed with the brains seooped out; at
others pools of smoking BLOODY causing the spectator
to turn away in horror and sickness OF heart. Even
the poor animals attached to the wagons did not cs
cape two of them being severely cut about the legs
and another having hs eyes entirely put out, whiie
the wagon itself torn to atoms.
One of the negroes did not die until few hours
after the explosion, though it Is remarkable, consd-
erng the nature of his INJURIES that his death was
not instantaneous. Both Of his eyes were put out,
half of his mouth and chin were cut of, one foot and
one hand were cut off, the flesh from his left arm
was torn off hole was cut through his skull large
enough to insert egg, and other ghastly wounds
were observable on different paris Of his body Not
withanding all these wounds, he lay on the ground
struggling and rolling about III his own gore, and
occasionally calculating, "0h, Lord" "Come to
me-" " Go away" &c.
Strange to say, all who struck by the shells
| were killed, and not another person was wounded,
| though Mr.. Bradley himself, who was in the rear
part Of his shop near to the scene OF the ex-
plosion that his face was blackened very much by
| the powder and fragment of she'll which entered
| the building passed within half an inch OF his
| head This gentleman lost arm about three
wears Since by the explosion of shell with which
| he was experimenting. His escape from death is
| truly astonishing.