NP, WJ 2/19/1862

From the Wilmington Journal
February 19, 1862
 
Daring Attempt to Destroy a Railroad Bridge
   We are informed that an attempt was made on Saturday night to destroy the {Wilmington &} Weldon Railroad bridge, by some persons as yet unknown. The structure is a large wooden one, guarded by two sentinels. The traitors who attempted its destruction gained access to the bridge by climbing up from a small island, upon which rests one of the main piers. The guard discovered the operations of the party as soon as they had commenced to cut away the principal beams. They fired upon the assailant, and followed up the volley so quickly with another, that they were glad to leave their implements behind and make good their escape.
   The cars were detained some fifteen minutes at the bridge, in order to ascertain whether it was safe to cross or not. Careful investigation, however, revealed the fact that the bridge was not materially injured, and quite as strong as ever. -- Rich. Dispatch, 18th inst.
 
   We copy the above dispatch for the purpose of stating that our contemporary of the Dispatch is wholly misinformed. We have just seen Captain John L. Cantwell, commander of the Railroad Guards, who is just from Weldon, and he informs us that no such attempt was made -- that instead of these being only two sentinels, the bridge was and is so effectually guarded as to render the occurrence of any such circumstances as are above related altogether impossible.

Home