We regret to learn
that Secretary Seward was severely injured yesterday afternoon. He together
with his son, F. W. Seward, his daughter, Miss Fannie, and Miss Titus, started
from his house for a drive. When the driver stopped to shut the door of the
carriage the horses became restive, and the driver endeavored to close the door
while holding the reins. Mr. F. W. Seward sprang from the carriage for the
purpose of assisting the driver to stop the horses, but in doing so he fell,
and before he could recover the horses became unmanageable. They reached the
neighborhood of H street, and suddenly turned, careening the carriage, and
throwing the Secretary violently upon the ground. In falling he fractured his
right arm near the shoulder, and bruised his face. He was conveyed to his
residence, where the limb was braced, it not being sufficiently injured to
require setting. By 7 o’clock he was free from pain, other than in his face and
jaw. The shock was violent, and the reaction produced restlessness and some
pain; otherwise he was comfortable. The ladies remained in the carriage, and
escaped uninjured. There was a report that the driver was killed, but such is
not the fact though he was somewhat injured.
SOURCE: “Accident to
Secretary Seward,” Daily National
Intelligencer, Washington, D. C., Thursday, April 6, 1865, p. 2, col. 1