The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-26
ON TIE PLAINS IN '65.
A Fearful Coiiision-An Ex-Hcbel Cap
tain the Cnuse-A1i our Horses Thrown
PROM, n High TrcsiIe Wark-A Large
Number ofaoIdIers Killed.

| III was eleven CLOCK Ut nlSnJ Wnen Oul
train halted at Collins Station TO await or
ders. We were an extra train aud running
''out OF time" The order soon came L
run down 10 Csrlysle and pass an cas-
bound train lying on the switch.
About the same moment the conductor
OF the east bound train received an order
TO wait on the side until our train would
pass. lie was told by the operator who
gave him the order that tile west bound
train was loaded with Yankee troops"
This conductor had but few months
before held commission us captain in a
Missouri rebel regiment, and OF course still
held "grudge" against the men who had
borne part in wiping out his little South
ern Confederacy." In fact, his treacherous
heart yearned dor revenge.
Here was such an opportunity as would
never be afforded again. Stepping down
to his engineer, he ordered him to run
with all speed up to Collins Station, where
he would pass an extra freight on the siding.
Immediately his train moved on to the
main truck, making all speed for Collins
Station. SO it will be seen that the two
trains left the two stations about the
same moment, each engineer thinking that
he is to make good time, and that the
other is waiting for him to pass.
Halfway between the towns is q trestle
work half mile in length across vast
swamp. On this the collision occurred.
But | can better describe the scene by
my own observation and personal exper-
fence. It was now midnight, and as dark
us Egypt. Nearly every man on our train
was In the "land OF repose." We were in
box cars Behind the train was passen-
ger coach, in which the officers were stored.
My company occupied the third car from
the rear. The next car in advance Ell ours
was filled with two companies. Then
there were eight or ten cars Immediately
behind the engine filled with horses and
equpage.
Ihad taken of my boots and made
pillow OF them. We were "sardined"
upon the floor Of that car as compactly as
was possible. No man could turn over
without the consent Of the whole squad,
and then the order fright spoon" or cleft
spoon" had to frat be given, so that all
turn at once, when general Topping over
followed, not however Without a good deal
OF "cnssing" by those who had to be
"waked" In order to successfully execute
the command.
Suddenly the shrill scream OF whistle
is heard, then another-only two-in close
succession. Then terrific shock-a
crash-then a dead halt. The very earth
seems 10 quake and tremble. In an in.
slant we are rushing to and fro in wild con-
fusion. Nothing can be seen. Presently
side door is pushed open, and man leaps
out into the darkness-down, down, he
falls, sixty feet, into the marsh and among
the logs that lie beneath us.
One glance out, and we see fire falling
from the engine, and realize at a glance
that we are upon high bridge. The door
is closed Immediately. Now the Kissing Of
steam, the dying groans and prayers OF
wounded aud mangled men, the struggles
and hard breathing OF hundreds Of horses
are borne to our ears, and we begin to re.
alize that terrible accident has occurred
Now the sound OF voices is audible.
Those who have escaped unhurt begin to
cast about for some means OF escape. The
alarming fact that We were upon high
trestle was communicated to one another.
Then the cry was raised that the bridge
and wreck were on fire, and that the
bridge would soon fall. This caused q
stampede, and several men were hurt in
the rush that followed. Every man on that
bridge fully believed that the whole mass
would 60 down together before We could
possibly escape.
For the first lime since the battle OF
Winchester l tried with all my heart to
feel religious But found that my desire
to reach the 'shore" at the east end OF the
bridge far out.weighed my longing to plant
my feet firmly upon the shore Of that
"bourne from whence no traveller ever does
get back" Perhaps 1t was because | real.
the heavenly land.
But while l was preparing to meet the
end, which thought would soon come,
some OF the boys seized their carbines, aud
with the butt ends commenced to smash in
the end OF the car. Soon hole appeared,
and in a twinklipg the end OF that car was
demolished, and we ere climbing to the
roof. Running to the rear OF the train we
found several hundred men upon the top
and inside the officers car. Here dim
lamp was procured, and by its light we
commenced an extremely perilous trip back
oyerthe trestle work, not knowing how far
or when the land would DO reached.
Such spectacle was never seen before
nor since. In fact, 1t was too dark to be
seen on that night. There were nearly four
hundred Of us-a general, colonel, lieuten-
ant colonel, two majors, several captains
and lieutenantS-alI together, astradle OF
the two rails 'crawAshing" II, for none dared
to attempt to walk the ties in the darkness.
To add to our already embarrassing situa-
ton, sudden gust Of wind put an end to
our light, and we found that we were in
for the rest OF the journey aided only by
instinct. 1t was an hour Of intense horror
which no pen can portray, no tongue can
tell.
This all occurred In less time than I could
write two lines Of this narrative.
We had proceeded in this way for near.
ly a quarter OF mile, making as rapid
strides as possible, when the men in the
advance sent back the glad tidings that
land had been discovered, and soon we
stepped with weak and trembling limbs,
one by one, upon terra firma, with fer
vent tthank God" for our safe delivery.
Now our thoughts are wholly turned
upon the work before US OF resouing our
unfortunate comrades. We now stand
upon high gil and cast our eyes in the
direction o. the wreck and try to scan the
situation.
Our hearts arc melted by the sounds
which arise from the debris away down In
the swamp below us. A bright light
flashes up near the engines and reveals the
surroundings. It Ia the beacon light tc
guide US to the rescue. Then voice Il
heard: "Helpl helpl In Gods name
help! The bridge Is on fire."
The burning embers fall down, dowr
until the wreck beneath Is ignited and {
lprid light illuminates the terrible scene
We are now able to see our way, and We
hasten down the embankment and arr
soon among the debris assisting the Twins
and removing the dead. ! remembered