The plan was bold, but ultimately doomed.
But the stolen train, called “the General,” ran out of fuel 18 miles from Chattanooga, according to a U.S. Army account of the heist, which became known as the Great Locomotive Chase.
The Union soldiers and civilians who took part in the mission fled, but all were captured after less than two weeks on the run.
Most were sent to prisoner of war camps.
In 1863, six survivors of the raid were the first American soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest decoration for valor in combat, which had been authorized by President Abraham Lincoln the year before.
Persons:
”, Abraham Lincoln
Organizations:
Union Army, U.S . Army, Union
Locations:
Chattanooga, Georgia, Marietta, Tennessee