From the Richmond Dispatch, 8/3/1864, p.1, c 6

Accident on the Danville Railroad. – At an early hour on Sunday night, as the freight train on the Danville Railroad was proceeding at its usual rate of speed between Meherrin Depot and Burkeville Station, a “spread” in the track caused three of the cars, loaded with grain and other produce, to be thrown off. In consequence of this accident the down passenger train did not arrive till about four hours behind the usual time. The cause of the accident was owning to the fact that, at this particular branch of the road, a great deal of the improved rail had been torn up by the Yankees during their last raid, and in its stead what is known as the slab rail was put down, which is very apt to spread out from constant use.

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