The Daily Dispatch: August 27, 1863., [Electronic resource]

The accident on the Central train.

‘ As the train for Gordonsville arrived at a point about two miles above Bumpas's, 10 o'clock, Tuesday morning, the axle of the hindmost car broke, throwing two cars off the track and upsetting one. A soldier, who had papers on his person identifying him as Robert Carpenter, of the 55th North Carolina regiment, jumped off the train, the car falling on him, crushing his head, right arm and leg in a horrible manner. He was instantly killed. Letters found on his person from his father and mother, and postmarked Martha's Vineyard, N., C., showed that he was a convalescent from Winder Hospital, returning to his regiment.--His remains were buried on the farm of Dr. B. M. Buckner, who took charge of his effects, and who promptly hastened to the relief of the wounded. The left leg of another North Carolina soldier, named Tatum, was crushed and amputated above the knee; another, a youth, named Beckham, had his left leg broken above the ankle, and adjusted; another, name unknown, received a severe flesh wound in the right thigh. The wounded were sent to Gordonsville. No case is serious except that of Tatum. Several other passengers were considerably bruised, many of the seats being thrown from their places.

’ The accident is believed to be attributable entirely to the defect in the axle of the car, and not to any fault in the bed of the road.