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(August 31, 2008)
Enlarge Tennessee
historical marker on US-64
in Shelbyville
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On this knoll, members of the Federal party which attempted to destroy the
Western & Atlantic R.R. in 1862 assembled before starting their foray. It
started with seizure of the engine "General" and ended with recapture of
the engine at the Georgia state line the same day. Several of the party
were subsequently hanged
Paul Stanfield
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|
(August 31, 2008)
Enlarge
View from the marker
Paul Stanfield |
|
(May 2013)
Enlarge The events of April 12, 1862,
began peacefully enough when the General began its usual run from Atlanta,
bound for Chattanooga, pulling a mixed passenger/freight train at 4 a.m. (
1 ) At the stop in Marietta the train was boarded by twenty men in small
groups. Most of them had been staying in a brick hotel beside the tracks
now known as the Kennesaw House
 Engraving (Kennesaw House, Marietta)
James Neel |
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(November 2010)
Enlarge Kennesaw House, Veterans Day 2010
Cobb County marker in Marietta town
square
Paul Stanfield |
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(May 2013)
Enlarge
Their leader, western Virginia Unionist, smuggler, and
spy, James J. Andrews, had been waiting for this opportunity to steal a
train to use in an attempt to sabotage the Western & Atlantic Railroad,
supply route for Confederate forces in and around Chattanooga. He had
recruited some 23 volunteers, mostly from Ohio regiments, who had some
knowledge of railroading to carry out the venture. He also had the
blessing of Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell and Brig. Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchell
from whose command the volunteers had come
James Neel |
|
(May 2013)
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At the breakfast stop at a
hotel
at Big Shanty (now Kennesaw), passengers and crew alike dismounted; only
the 20 raiders held back. While everyone else was breakfasting, they
stealthily uncoupled the passenger cars, boarded the 3 remaining boxcars,
and started off. Today trackside monuments commemorate the event and Capt.
William Fuller, the conductor who along with Anthony Murphy and engineer
Jeff Cain, began the long pursuit from here. After a long life of service
and commemorative events well into the Twentieth Century the venerable
General now rests in a new and specially-built Civil War Railroading
Museum only yards from where her greatest adventure began
Lacy
Hotel Site Marker
James Neel |
