Andrews Raid 160th anniversary

Tuesday marked the 160th anniversary of the Andrews Raid — also known as the Great Locomotive Chase.

Arguably one of the most enduring of Civil War exploits, it largely survives due to the 1863 book “Daring and Suffering” by a Raiders survivor, William Pittenger.

While somewhat pious, he provides a first-hand historical account of the Raid that probably kept the Raid from drifting into obscurity.

Commencing in darkness at around 6 a.m., 23 Union saboteurs, led by James J. Andrews, boldly commandeered a train known as The General while loading firewood and water at Big Shanty (later Kennesaw) and headed north toward Chattanooga.

The raid ended about seven hours later. Out of firewood and water, The General finally chugged to a halt north of Ringgold. The Raid was strategically brilliant but tactically flawed from the get-go.

The Raiders crowbars and wire cutters, but few experienced trains men. Andrews had not counted on the tenacity on Train

Conductor — and Henry County native — William Fuller, as he heroically and doggedly pursued “his” stolen train by foot, railcar AND finally Locomotive to its demise.

As The General entered Calhoun from Adairsville, it tracked northward through Calhoun center, where the now restored Depot still stands, headed through Resaca and into Dalton. Heavy Spring rain the day before had soaked the wooded bridges, saving them from burning and being destroyed.

In the end, eight Raiders, including James J. Andrews, were hanged as spies; the remaining 15 escaped and/or were exchanged for Southern POW’s. Medals of Honor were awarded to the Union soldiers killed/captured.

The City of Adairsville celebrates the Great Locomotive Chase Festival in the fall — nurturing the memory.