Shohola in Pike County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Civil War Prison Train Wreck
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 25, 2009
1. Civil War Prison Train Wreck Marker
On July 15, 1864, an Erie Railroad train carrying 833 Confederate prisoners and 128 Union guards to the prison camp at Elmira, N.Y., collided with a coal train between Shohola and Lackawaxen. About 48 prisoners and 17 guards were killed. Survivors, both injured and uninjured, were brought to Shohola where they were generously cared for by residents of the village.
Erected 1993 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 1864.
Location. 41° 28.323′ N, 74° 55.043′ W. Marker is in Shohola, Pennsylvania, in Pike County. It is on Pennsylvania Route 434, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shohola PA 18458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Timber Rafting (approx. half a mile away in New York); Brants Camp (approx. half a mile away in New York); Colonel Hathorn and His Men (approx. half a mile away in New York); D&H Canal
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Shohola Train Accident.
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Prison Train Wreck - Behind the Marker. Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Shohola train wreck. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 25, 2009
2. Civil War Prison Train Wreck Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 25, 2009
3. Civil War Prison Train Wreck Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 25, 2009
4. Shohola caboose museum
The Shohola caboose museum is seen in the photo to the left of the marker.
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, July 13, 2014
5. Approximate location of the Great Shohola Train Wreck
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, July 13, 2014
6. Approximate location of the Great Shohola Train Wreck
Another view showing how curved the tracks were at this point. This is the approximate location where the two train collided.
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, July 13, 2014
7. The "Rebel Chaplain" Scott J. Payne
The "Rebel Chaplain" Scott J. Payne telling a group of tourists about the prisoners from Virginia who perished during the wreck.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,848 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 6, 2016, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York.
