The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-29
THE cHERAw EXPLOSION.
An Interesting Account of that Startling and
Tragic Event
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
As none of the comrades have responded to
the requests which have appeared in your col
umns for an account of the explosion which
occurred at Cheraw, South Carolina, in March,
1865, j have concluded to make the attempt,
although, as | kept no diary, | am unable to
give the exact date or the number or names of
the victims. Cheraw is on the Great Pedee
River, and at that time was the terminus of
railroad which connected it with Charleston.
When Sherman's tourists were inspecting the
objects of interest around Columbia, it became
apparent to the Confederates that Charleston
was no longer tenable, so they began shipping
the munitions of war which had been collected
at that place to Cheraw, which was supposed TO
be outside of Shermans route, Consequently
when the Union forces reached Cheraw they
found stored in buildings in the eastern por-
ton of the town large quantities OF powder,
shot, and shell As these buildings, with their
contents, could not be fred without endanger-
ing the remainder of the town, squads of men
and teams were put to work hauling and
dumping the powder and ammunition into the
river. On the eastern side of the town there
was a small run eInptying into the river. As
the run was much nearer the stores of powder,
some of the working parties began dumping
powder into it instead of taking it to the river
Thus, three large piles, each containing ten or
twelve tons of powder, were formed along the
bed Of the run-the most of which was unaf-
fected by the water. The piles were about fifty
feet apart After unloading the powder was
carried or rolled down to the run in kegs and
bags. Here and there, oyer the ground, there
were little piles, indicating that keg or bag
had burst and spilled its contents, while
over the whole surface OF the ground, between
the piles and the top of the bank where the
powder was unloaded, enough had sifted out
to make an invisible train connecting all. On
the bank above the lower pile there stood a lit
tie frame building. Near this building the 1st
brigade, 18th corps, was massed, awaiting its
turn to cross on the pontoon. The supply trains
were punched on the sides of the road between
the run and the river, also awaiting an oppor-
tunity to pass over. The 18th Indiana was
next the frame building and the 10Th Ohio
alongside Of it. While thus lying idle there,
the boys began to amuse themselves in such
manner as the time and circumstances allowed.
THE FUsILADE BEGINS.
Under some artful pretext crowd was col
lected near one of the small piles of powder
and live coal was thrown into it. There was
! puff, a momentary sensation, some lodging,
and hearty laugh at the expense of the
/ dodgers. Another pile was exploded with like
results. Then a sergeant of the 18th Indiana
/ who was entirely unconscious of the sheet OF
powder scattered over the ground dropped q
coal into a pile near the little building. A
| large crowd had been enticed into the vicinity
| of the pile. / was watching the performance
and enjoying the fun. A great shout of laughter
/ followed the lodging of the surprised crowd
but it only lasted a moment, for it was seen
that the fire had not gone out, but was working
/ its way down the bank towards the lower oil
the main piles. As the piles were supposed te
| contain shells as well as powder, those nearest
/ the point Of danger raised a cry Of warning, and
attempted to get away. The laughter and the
/ elamor that succeeded it excited the curiosity
Of those farther removed, and they pressed to
the front, blocking the way of those attempting
TO fee. There were several boys on the powder
piles engaged in stripping off cartridge sacks tt
| be used in carrying salt, &c. The fire reached
the lower pile. A tremendous explosion fol
lowed, which seemed to rock the earth. In
stgntly cloud Of smoke and ashes filed the
air, observing the light of the sun, which hac
shone so brightly moment before. The con-
cussion seemed to PROSTATE everything Hun
dreds Of men were thrown down as suddenly
as If struck by thunderbolts. Teams of mule.
a hundred yards away went down like graif
before the sickle. All was confusion and up
rear. As soon as they could regain their fee
the crowd started on a run. There were TX
curiosity seekers now pressing to the front
All were faced to the east. One or two step
were taken. The second pile was reached
Again the earth was seized with c0nyulsiol
which sent the men to the ground in mass
1t seemed impossible TO keep ones feet Filled
with terror they scrambled up and started
again. A moment more and the sparks hat
reached the third pile. Down they went again
! both man and beast Quickly reganing thei
feet, they sought safety by rushing away. b,