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Chunky Creek Train Wreck
The Chunky Creek Train Wreck occurred on February 19, 1863, when a train crashed into the creek from a bridge damaged by heavy rain on the Southern Rail Road line between Meridian, Mississippi, Meridian and Vicksburg, Mississippi. The line was notorious for poor repairs that were reported to have caused accidents almost daily. The train, with a tender and four or five cars, driven by Isaiah P. Beauchamp, had been carrying Confederate reinforcements to the important Vicksburg garrison. The local section-master had placed a warning sign on the track, and given instructions to stop incoming traffic, but these were not followed. The train derailed and fell into the creek, killing about 75 passengers, some others being rescued by Confederates from the nearby Choctaw in the American Civil War#1st Choctaw Battalion, 1st Choctaw Battalion. Background Rainy weather caused severe flooding in the days before the wreck. Debris had accumulated against the bridge's supports. While the secti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Newton County, Mississippi
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,720. Its county seat is Decatur. History Newton County was formed in 1836 and named after scientist Isaac Newton. The Battle of Newton's Station was fought in the county on April 24, 1863, during Grierson's Raid of the American Civil War. In February 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman crossed the county, burning the county seat at Decatur and was nearly captured during the Meridian Campaign. Sherman stopped during the return trip from Meridian and slept in the town of Union. On October 8, a black sharecropper named Shep Jones had a disagreement with his white employer, leading to the employer's death. While searching for Jones, a white mob destroyed property owned by black people, burned their church and meeting lodge, threatened black families, and hanged Jones' father-in-law and two other black men. Many black people fled Newton County. No arrests or res ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
