“Great Locomotive Chase” Anniversary noted

April is Confederate History and Heritage Month!

2010 marks the 54th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures great movie classic "The Great Locomotive Chase" starring Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter.

Our nation's most famous locomotive "The General" is now home at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Ga. Kennesaw is about 45 miles north of Atlanta on the Old Highway 41. http://www.southernmuseum.org

April 12, 2010, is the 148th anniversary of the "Great Locomotive Chase" that made "The General" famous.

Jefferson Cain, an employee of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, was Engineer of The General. At 4:15 on the morning of April 12, 1862, Cain pushed the throttle of The General and drove the engine out of Atlanta, Georgia for Chattanooga, Tennessee as a cool spring rain fell on the city.

During the spring of 1862, the peaceful town of Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) was paid not so peaceful a visit by Union spies led by James Andrews, who brought with him plans to disrupt Confederate supply lines. Andrews and his men boarded the train at Marietta, Georgia. They had spent the previous night at the Fletcher House now (Kennesaw House). Twenty boarded the train while two were left behind.

The next stop was the Lacy Hotel in Big Shanty for a twenty minute breakfast break. That's where The General was stolen in full view of "Camp McDonald" a drill camp and home to many Confederate officers and enlisted men. There was no telegraph there, which was one reason Andrews chose the site.

Andrews, A Kentuckian, had made a name for himself by smuggling much needed quinine through Union lines for the benefit of Confederate soldiers and civilians. There were with him three experienced engineers, William Knight, Wilson Brown and John Wilson. When asked where they were from, they replied by saying, "I am from Fleming County, Kentucky." They also said that they were on their way to join the Confederate Army.

The official plan to steal The General was approved by Union General Ormsby Michael. The plan was to take the locomotive north on the Western and Atlantic Railroad and destroy tracks, bridges and tunnels along the way. General Michael agreed that he would take Huntsville on April 11, 1862, and then would wait on Andrews before moving into Chattanooga, Tennessee.

"Someone.....has stolen my train,” William Fuller, conductor on the General said in amazement as the train was pulling away from the Big Shanty train depot. Men of the Western and Atlantic railroad almost immediately began the chase with engineer Jefferson Cain, William Fuller, and machine foreman Anthony Murphy close behind.

With no telegraph at Big Shanty, the men ran north along the railroad tracks to Moon Station and procured a platform handcar; then went on until they found "The Yonah." The next train used was the "William R. Smith." The last locomotive used in the chase by William Fuller was the famous "Texas" that was heading South. The Texas is now housed in Atlanta, Georgia's Cyclorama at Grant Park. With no time to spare, the Texas was run in reverse through the entire chase.

James Andrews and his Raiders were slowed down by southbound trains that had to pass before they could continue. With the telegraph out of service, Fuller was fortunate to catch telegraph operator Edward Henderson. Fuller gave the young Henderson a hand up on the train, as it was in motion, and gave him a message for General Ledbetter that Henderson sent from Dalton.

Andrews and his men failed to destroy the bridges over Georgia's Chickamauga Creek, Etowah River and Tunnel Hill. They also failed to slow down the pursuers by setting up the cars of The General on fire and sending them back down the railroad tracks. The end came when they ran out of wood and lost power about 18 miles south of Chattanooga.

It took about two weeks for the Confederates to capture the Union spies. Some of them made it as far as Bridgeport, Alabama. Eventfully, all 20 of Andrews Raiders were captured. James Andrews and six of his men were hung in Atlanta, eight escaped, and others were paroled.

The United States Congress created the Medal of Honor in 1862 and it was awarded to some of the raiders. James Andrews was not eligible because he not a part of the military service.

William Fuller, who is buried at Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery, was recognized by the Confederate Government, Georgia Governor Joseph Brown and the Georgia General Assembly for his act of heroism.

Learn more about Confederate History Month at:

http://confederateheritagemonth.com and http://confederatehistorymonth.com

Here's the fascinating Railroad Museum in Kennesaw GA where the General ended up:
http://roadsidegeorgia.com/site/kcwm.html

IIRC the william w mason, an american 4-4-0 now in the B&O RR museum in baltimore was in the disney movie starring fess parker. i think she was also in the utterly awful WILD, WILD, WEST movie.

“James Andrews and six of his men were hung in Atlanta, eight escaped, and others were paroled.”

Pictures are hung; people are hanged.

Buster Keaton who starred in an early version of the movie didn’t care for the Disney version as he thought it portrayed the Southerners in a poor light.

I actually saw the Disney version on TV recently and did not think it was too much pro Union tho definitely told from their perspective.

failed to slow down the pursuers by setting up the cars of The General on fire

Somebody set up us the fire.

My aunt lives in Kennesaw, I’ve visited the museum several times.

It’s a great place to spend the day !

Actually it’s how I find her house, I can find it from the General !

The Keaton movie is a masterpiece. The train used in the collapsing bridge scene was a tourist attraction in Oregon until it was used as scrap in WWII.

I rented the Keaton movie several years ago. My wife said “oh the kids won’t like it” (what with Star Wars and everything). They loved it - especially the two girls, age 7 or so at the time. (Still not as good as “The Creature from the Black Lagoon though!”).

We rent a silent movie once in awhile, most are pretty good.

Just put a hold on the Keaton version at that library. They don’t have the Disney version.

Well, I guess I'll have to watch my Blu-ray of The General on the occasion of the real event's anniversary.

It's also the 98thy anniversary of the Titanic sinking, no?

Somebody set up us the fire.

We get morse code.

Here is an article on the Great Locomotive Chase in case anyone is interested (Every Day of the Civil War. McFarland Publishing, Jeferson, North Carolina):

April 7-12 1862 – The Great Locomotive Chase –In Tennessee, orders arrive at each of the three Ohio regiments of General, Joshua Sill’s brigade with instructions that one man from each company was to be selected for a special and clandestine mission. The commanders of the respective companies gathered to determine the intent of the mission and the skills required from the men in order to execute the mission. The mission, to commandeer a Confederate railroad train and afterward burn bridges to disrupt the Confederate rail system. The plan, concocted earlier by a civilian spy, James Andrews had been tried earlier , but the mission conducted by men of the 2nd Ohio had failed. Nonetheless, it was to be once again attempted and again led by Andrews. However, those who had earlier volunteered and barely escaped with their lives declined to participate in a second raid.

The first priority remains getting men who can operate a train. The captains, aware of the requirement begin to select the troops from their respective companies, by asking for those familiar with operating a train to step forward. One of the engineers chosen, Wilson Brown inquired of General Mitchel about the chances of success and receives the response: “That depends upon circumstances. If the enterprise can be carried out as planned by Mr. Andrews, I think the chances are very good indeed; but if any delay happens, the difficulty will be increased.” Brown replies to the general asking: “Why so, General?” and received another response: “Because as the armies draw nearer, the roads will be more occupied with troops and stores moving back and forth, and these will be in your way. Your mission is very hazardous. It is not pleasant for me to send such a number of picked men into the enemy’s power; but in war great risks must be run, and we are engaged in a war of right and wrong; .armed treason must be met and conquered; and if you fall, you die in a glorious cause. I have great confidence in Mr. Andrews, your leader; I trust that the great ruler of the destinies of man will protect you all!

Afterward the selected men, who did not know who the others were each had to dress in civilian clothes and meet with Andrews. Subsequently, dressed in civilian garb the twenty-two men, including three civilians initiate a 200 mile journey deep into Confederate territory en route to seize a train at Big Shanty, Georgia, and afterward, proceed to destroy the tracks between Chattanooga and Atlanta. However, if caught each is subject to being hanged as a spy.

Andrews instructs the men to avoid troops of the Confederate Army which is grabbing volunteers and if approached the men are to inform the Rebels that they are Kentuckians attempting to get south to join a regiment and “escape the rule of the Yankees,” then directs them to “break up in small squads of two, three, or four, and travel east into the Cumberland mountains, then south to the Tennessee River. You can cross the river and take passage on the cars at Shell-Mound or some station between that and Chattanooga on the Memphis and Charleston. Most importantly he tells them, “You must be at Chattanooga not later than Thursday afternoon (10th), and reach Marietta the same evening, ready to take passage northward on the train the next morning. I will be there with you, or before you, and will then tell you what to do.” Afterward, Andrews informs the men: “When we once meet at Marietta, we will stay together and either come through in a body or die together.”

At Marietta on Saturday, 12 April, two of the men Porter and Hawkins were not awakened by the waiter because they did not pay him anything. Consequently, Andrews unit is reduced to nineteen men. In a last-minute conference in the railroad hotel, Andrews cautions the men and explains: “When the train stops at Big Shanty for breakfast, keep your places till I tell you to go. Get seats near each other in the same car, and say nothing about the matter on the way up. If anything unexpected
occurs, look to me for the word.”

All board the train and enter the same car. Later, the train arrives at Big Shanty (later Kennesaw) and as the crowd is leaving, Andrews initiates the move. The engine is discovered empty. Andrews directs one of his men to uncouple the car at the beginning of the first baggage car, to the rear of three empty freight cars. Suddenly, the Confederate train is controlled by Union troops and the valve is shoved open, but unexpectedly, the switch had been thrown to quickly, creating a problem. Instead of roaring away, the wheels only begin to spin, but it lasts only a few seconds, too quick for the Confederates to react. Finally, after those seconds of desperation, the engine does roar, the wheels kick in and the theft had occurred so quickly that not a shot had been fired as Andrews’ train speeds away heading back to Union lines.

All seems well initially; however, as the train speeds forward, the steam level drops, due to a failure to reopen the dampers (on the engine fires) that had been closed while the train had paused in Big Shanty. Hurriedly, some oil and some fresh wood eradicates the problem. During the short pause, the troops sever the telegraph lines to eliminate warnings being sent from Big Shanty to alert other Confederates of the insolent intruders. At the time the town has no telegraph; however, Andrews remains concerned that a portable battery might be available.

At Moon’s station, Andrews is able to acquire a tool to help expedite the operation to pull out the railroad spikes along the tracks. The workman handed over the bar effortlessly, so no violence is necessary. Some dissatisfaction is noticed, however, as the train speeds through various stations without pausing to pick up passengers. Later, the train, the “General” stops for water and fresh wood at Cassville. While stopped, Andrews explains that he had been sent by General Beauregard to acquire ammunition and rush it to him.

Shortly thereafter, the “General” arrives at Kingston and it causes Andrews to pull onto a side track to await the approach of the scheduled passenger train, but Andrews becomes impatient as it is running late. Finally it arrives and the story regarding the ammunition for Beauregard again holds up, but Andrews also gains intelligence as the conductor of the passenger train details the capture of Huntsville by General Mitchel and that his forces are en route to Chattanooga, without any Confederate forces to intercept the columns. All the while, Andrews’ men are in the boxcars, confined to silence and unaware of the reason for the delay.

Andrews insists that he must move out immediately and the conductor inquires, “What will you do about Mitchel at Huntsville?” Andrews, continuing his flawless ruse, replies: “I do not believe the story. Mitchel would not be fool enough to run down there, but if he is, Beauregard will soon sweep him out of the road. At any rate I have my orders.” Meanwhile, back at Big Shanty, the “Conductor Fuller, Engineer Cain, and the foreman of the road machine shops, Mr. Anthony Murphy” take steps to get the train back. A horseman had sped to Marietta and sent a wire to Atlanta. While in Marietta, the runner acquires a train, which speeds to Big Shanty to load troops. Afterward, the train initiates the chase.

Meanwhile the hold up at Kingston allows the pursuers to close and when the “General” finally moves out of Kingston, the Confederates are close behind. Nevertheless, as soon as the train is out of sight of the station, it pauses to permit one of the men to ascend a pole to cut the telegraph line to ensure no helpful message is forwarded about the ammunition train for General Beauregard. In addition, with knowledge of a pursuing train, more track is ripped up to impede progress. Afterward, Andrews reaches Adairsville and subsequent to identical questions, he responds with the story of rushing ammunition to Beauregard and when asked what about the Yankees under Mitchel, Andrews responds by telling the men that Beauregard is nearly out of ammunition and he must continue, despite the advance of Mitchel toward Chattanooga. The story is bought and the “General” departs expeditiously, although the Confederate trains are off schedule due to the Union advance and Andrews has to worry about an oncoming train as the General heads toward Calhoun, slightly less than ten miles distant. After a tense delay, Andrews is able to move out of the station, but close behind, the Confederate arrive at the station and in a new engine, the “Texas” they quickly pull out with the sounds of their whistle now being picked up by Andrews’ party.

Andrews travels through Resaca, having no time to destroy a bridge nor pull up tracks. A few more close calls occur, but still the Rebels do not catch the “General” as it safely speeds through Dalton. About one mile beyond Dalton, the General halts to cut the wires, but a message had already been sent warning of the stolen train. By now a rain that has been falling throughout the race, intensifies. The Yanks are down to one car and Andrews orders it set afire. The boxcar is set ablaze on one of the Chickamauga bridges, but the rain had soaked the wood, so it does little damage and there is not sufficient time to move it to the next bridge. Afterward, the General resumes its speed and passes through Ringgold.

Nevertheless, shortly afterward, Andrews issues an order to abandon the train and for each man on his own to attempt to make it back to Union lines. Anderson had not had any military experience and the men although shocked that he would order them to split up, they obeyed the order. In that instant the chase was essentially over. But Andrews issues the order again and the men abandon the train at a point about five miles beyond Ringgold and slightly under twenty miles from Chattanooga. At the time, the train had sufficient fuel and it was operating well under the circumstances.

The entire band is eventually captured including those two who missed the train at Marietta. Later, an escape is attempted by some including Andrews, but he is later recaptured and given brutal punishment before being hanged. Meanwhile, on 18 June, seven others are hanged. They are William Campbell; George D. Wilson; Marion A. Ross; Perry G. Shadrack; Samuel Slavens; and Samuel Robertson. The remaining fourteen include the following: Wilson W. Brown; William Knight J. R. Porter; Martin J. Hawkins; Mark Wood; J. A. Wilson; John Wollam and D. A. Dorsey; they escape on 16 October, 1862. The others: Jacob Parrott; Robert Buffum; William Bensinger; William Reddick; E. H. Mason and William are exchanged on 18 March 1863. Each man becomes a recipient of the Medal of Honor for individual courage and valor above and beyond the call of duty. Initially, the six escapees receive the Medal, the first six awards presented. The others receive the medal later, some posthumously,

At the hangings, the Confederates had not provided coffins. The Union troops were buried in a common grave, but after the close of hostilities, the U.S. government moved quickly to extricate the remains of the Union heroes and have them reinterred in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga. In conjunction, subsequently, the government learns of the location of James Andrews. On 11 April, 1887, extricate Andrews’ remains and he is reinterred at Chattanooga with those of his detachment that had also been hanged.

We get morse code.

You are on the way to Chattanooga.

Back in 2008, I saw Buster Keaton’s “The General” at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles, near Farmers’ Market. The film was accompanied by an organist, and the house was packed.

I’ve never seen the Disney version.

Keaton has a bunch of short movies which are a riot. "One Week" and "The Scarecrow" both feature Keaton with a woman named Sybil Seeley, and they're great. There are others, as well as a feature called "7 Chances." They might be available at your public library! Mine had 'em.

Thank you for those suggestions. We rented some of the Charlie Chaplin ones at the Library. The other week we were talking about one of the black and white movies and my girls were arguing whether it was in color or not. I told them that it was their imagination filling in the color for them!