Did you know? The Great Locomotive Chase

The General locomotive (Photo courtesy the Library of Congress)

On April 12, 1862, during the Civil War, Union spies led by James J. Andrews stole a locomotive (the General) from Big Shanty, Ga., today known as Kennesaw. Their goal was to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., and help bring about the end of the Civil War.

Their mission failed, but several of the men were among the first to receive the Medal of Honor. Today, the episode is remembered as the Andrews Raid or the Great Locomotive Chase.

Click here to read more about the General II, the Southeastern Railway Museum’s locomotive named in honor of the original General.

About Todd 48 Articles
Todd DeFeo is a writer, marketer and wanderer. The New Jersey native and Atlanta resident works in the public relations sector and previously worked for several newspapers in Georgia and Tennessee. He has written for a number of online publications and views writing as an excuse to explore the world, whether it’s down the street or on another continent. He is the owner of The DeFeo Groupe and editor of Railfanning.org and Sightseers' Delight.

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