Help! Train Wreck & Burials Barnesville GA Sept, 1, 1864

lelliott19

Brigadier General
Moderator
* OFFICIAL *
CWT PRESENTER
Forum Host
Silver Patron
Regtl. Staff Chickamauga 2018
Joined
Mar 15, 2013
upload_2017-7-15_2-11-9-png.149079.png

Southern Watchman, Sep. 7, 1864 , page 3.


One of our new members, @cline19d2 is seeking help from anyone who has information about individuals killed in a train collision at Barnesville, Georgia on Sept 1, 1864.

Specifically, a casualty list and/or names of any individuals involved? The soldiers involved were supposedly buried in a mass grave. A burial scribe reportedly recorded the names, but a list has not been located. At one time, there may have been an obelisk and markers, but they have since been removed.

This situation is URGENT. The city owns the land where the solders are supposed to be buried. The city has been granted a permit to move graves, but without evidence that the graves exist, there is fear that the soldiers will not be included when the cemetery is relocated.

If you can help, please post information or reply to @cline19d2 by private message. Thanks!
 
View attachment 149776
Southern Watchman, Sep. 7, 1864 , page 3.


One of our new members, @cline19d2 is seeking help from anyone who has information about individuals killed in a train collision at Barnesville, Georgia on Sept 1, 1864.

Specifically, a casualty list and/or names of any individuals involved? The soldiers involved were supposedly buried in a mass grave. A burial scribe reportedly recorded the names, but a list has not been located. At one time, there may have been an obelisk and markers, but they have since been removed.

This situation is URGENT. The city owns the land where the solders are supposed to be buried. The city has been granted a permit to move graves, but without evidence that the graves exist, there is fear that the soldiers will not be included when the cemetery is relocated.

If you can help, please post information or reply to @cline19d2 by private message. Thanks!


Thank you so much! The crash was on Sept 1, 1864 it involved the engines the Dispatch and the Governor. One bringing wounded from Atlanta ahead of Sherman's assault and the other was taking supplies north to Jonesboro or Atlanta. It is reported that 31 soldiers and one female nurse were killed in the crash and buried on the hill beside the train tracks. The city wants to move the cemetery to use the hilltop to level the property and expand the industrial park. We want them to maintain and protect the cemetery where it is. They plan to put the remains in 1x1x2 ft boxes and bury multiple boxes in each plot at Greenwood cemetery without a vault. We need to prove they are there so we can protect them.
 
This place refers to "official records", so it might be an interesting place to start
When I look at that page in my browser the last part of the paragraph is cut off. Just in case it is so for others, here is what it says --

This is just Above the train wreck site. There are no markers at the graves. According to a local Citizen there were markers at one time but they were stolen and are under someone's House in the area. To get to the site take Hwy 41 to Old Milner Rd. Then follow Old Milner Rd south approximately 2 miles and turn right on Canna Fax Rd. Cross the tracks And look to the right and the cemetery is on a hillside inside a barbed wire fenced field. This site needs to be marked because of the historical significance of it.​
 
There are several books in print that address the accident, including two diaries of soldiers who survived the crash. They may be worth looking into. The complete texts are unavailable online due to copyright.

It appears one of the soldiers who died was a William Van Meter, from Kentucky.
 
Last edited:
Multiple sources cite his death as 9/8. So he died days later either as a result of his battle wound or injuries suffered in the train collision.
Agreed. The fact that he was buried in the Confederate Cemetery instead of beside the tracks would seem to indicate he was taken to a hospital and died later.
 
Thank you so much! The crash was on Sept 1, 1864 it involved the engines the Dispatch and the Governor. One bringing wounded from Atlanta ahead of Sherman's assault and the other was taking supplies north to Jonesboro or Atlanta. It is reported that 31 soldiers and one female nurse were killed in the crash and buried on the hill beside the train tracks. The city wants to move the cemetery to use the hilltop to level the property and expand the industrial park. We want them to maintain and protect the cemetery where it is. They plan to put the remains in 1x1x2 ft boxes and bury multiple boxes in each plot at Greenwood cemetery without a vault. We need to prove they are there so we can protect them.
Hope you are successful!
 
There are several books in print that address the accident, including two diaries of soldiers who survived the crash. They may be worth looking into. The complete texts are unavailable online due to copyright.

It appears one of the soldiers who died was a William Van Meter, from Kentucky.
Do you have the names of the books? And where did you find the name William Van Meter? Thank you so much!
 
Back
Top