1862 Ponchatoula train wreck
| 1862 Ponchatoula train wreck | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | February 27, 1862 Around 7 a.m. |
| Location | South of Ponchatoula, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 30°25′2″N 90°26′57″W / 30.41722°N 90.44917°W |
| Incident type | Head-on collision |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 28 |
| Injured | 10 |
| List of rail accidents (before 1880) | |
The 1862 Ponchatoula train wreck was a train collision that occurred in Louisiana during the American Civil War.
Background
[edit]In 1861, the 7th Mississippi Infantry Regiment was formed in Corinth, Mississippi to serve the Confederate forces.[1] By 1862, they had received marching orders and were to travel north to Tennessee. This journey began in February of 1862 and the forces were given a train as means of transport.[2]
Accident
[edit]On February 27th, 1862 the regiment train was heading northbound near Ponchatoula. At this time, a lumber train was also using this rail line and had failed to pull into a siding. Foggy conditions had also immensely reduced visibility.[3]
Around 7 a.m., the two trains collided head-on, resulting in the car closest to the train to telescope, resulting in a high number of casualties. Most of the soldiers on the train were asleep at the time of the impact.[2]
Twenty-two died on-site, with another six dying later as a result of their injuries; 10 others were seriously wounded.[3] Immediately following the collision, the engineer of the lumber train fled the site and hid in the nearby forest. He was eventually captured and tried, but all charges would be dropped.[2]
After receiving medical treatment, the regiment continued their journey, and fought in the Battle of Shiloh.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Battle Unit Details 7th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry". US National Park Service. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Williamson, Matt. "Tragedy on a train". Enterprise Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c "1862 Train Wreck". THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
