Great Locomotive Chase

The Great Locomotive Chase (also known as Andrews' Raid or the Mitchel Raid) was a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862, in northern Georgia during the American Civil War. Volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, commandeered a train, The General, and took it northward toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western and Atlantic Railroad (W&A) line from Atlanta to Chattanooga as they went. They were pursued by Confederate forces at first on foot, and later on a succession of locomotives, including The Texas, for 87 miles (140 km).

Great Locomotive Chase
Part of the Western Theater of the American Civil War

The Andrews Raiders set a train car on fire to try to ignite a covered railway bridge and thwart Confederate pursuit.
DateApril 12, 1862
Location
Western and Atlantic Railroad, Georgia
34°1′24″N 84°36′55″W
Result Confederate victory, The General recaptured
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
James J. Andrews (POW) William Fuller
Danville Leadbetter
Units involved

2nd, 21st, and 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment

  • The General

Western and Atlantic Railroad

  • The Texas
  • The Yonah
Strength
24 3 (At start)
Casualties and losses
23 (POW)
(8 executed later)		 None
Big Shanty (Kennesaw)
Location within Georgia

Because the Union men had cut the telegraph wires, the Confederates could not send warnings ahead to forces along the railway. Confederates eventually captured the raiders and quickly executed some as spies, including Andrews; some others were able to flee. The surviving raiders were the first to be awarded the newly created Medal of Honor by the US Congress for their actions. As a civilian, Andrews was not eligible.

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