Alexandria, November 3.—Most of the accounts relative to the attack upon the train at Manassas have been exaggerated. The following is the true version:—
It was about three o’clock on Friday afternoon when the train passed over Bull Run bridge. It proceeded about a mile beyond, when it was thrown from the track. No obstruction was apparent, and the manner in which the Confederates accomplished the fiendish trick was by cutting off the heads of the spikes which confined the rails in position, and undermining the track.
As the train moved over this spot, the rails flew out of position, and the whole train, consisting of twelve cars was thrown from the track. The engine went down the embankment. Neither the fireman or engineer were killed. The latter however was made prisoner whilst the former escaped.
There were forty soldiers and sixty laborers aboard the train at the time. These were all captured by a company of Prince William county cavalry that emerged from ambush immediately after the train was thrown from the track.
Early next morning a wrecking train started out, and, through the exertions of the work men, the locomotive was hoisted from the base of the embankment. It was damaged to the extent of $1000. The cars were hurt in no way. The whole train together with the locomotive, was brought down to Alexandria. It is thought that no one aboard was killed, though a murderous fire was poured upon the train from the carbines of the cavalrymen.
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA