It all ended here
The Andrews Raid or "The Great Locomotive Chase" of 1862 came to an end here, just 2 miles north of the station in Ringgold, Georgia. With Western & Atlantic Railroad officials and a small posse of Confederate Troops closely pursuing them from Kingston on north, the Federal Raiders were unable to further damage the railroad, nor disrupt communications. They also didn't have time to fuel or water their locomotive, the "General." Eventually, they ran out of fuel and options.
As the "General" slowly lost steam pressure, Andrews instructed his men to flee into the woods and fend for themselves. All 20 of them were eventually caught and tried as spies, since they were all in civilian clothing. Andrews and 7 others were eventually hanged, while the remainder either escaped Confederate custody and made it back to Federal lines, or were exchanged for Confederate prisoners. Most of the military members of the raiding party were decorated, receiving the very first Congressional Medals of Honor ever awarded. Sadly, James Andrews, the leader of the group, was ineligible for the Medal of Honor because of his civilian status.
This image depicts the monument to the raiders, which is located at the spot where the General was abandoned. The names of all of the raiders are engraved on the bronze plaque.
It all ended here
The Andrews Raid or "The Great Locomotive Chase" of 1862 came to an end here, just 2 miles north of the station in Ringgold, Georgia. With Western & Atlantic Railroad officials and a small posse of Confederate Troops closely pursuing them from Kingston on north, the Federal Raiders were unable to further damage the railroad, nor disrupt communications. They also didn't have time to fuel or water their locomotive, the "General." Eventually, they ran out of fuel and options.
As the "General" slowly lost steam pressure, Andrews instructed his men to flee into the woods and fend for themselves. All 20 of them were eventually caught and tried as spies, since they were all in civilian clothing. Andrews and 7 others were eventually hanged, while the remainder either escaped Confederate custody and made it back to Federal lines, or were exchanged for Confederate prisoners. Most of the military members of the raiding party were decorated, receiving the very first Congressional Medals of Honor ever awarded. Sadly, James Andrews, the leader of the group, was ineligible for the Medal of Honor because of his civilian status.
This image depicts the monument to the raiders, which is located at the spot where the General was abandoned. The names of all of the raiders are engraved on the bronze plaque.