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Two miles north of Ringgold, Georgia, at the top of a
grade, the locomotove "General" was abandoned by Andrews'
Raiders. This monument marks the exact spot.
See the Kennesaw
description for the story of the chase.
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This tablet marks the spot at which the
locomotive "General"
was abandoned by Andrews' Raiders
Afternoon of April 12th 1862
Capt. James A. Andrews with twenty volunteers from
Still's Brigade, Mitchell's Corps, USA and citizens of
Kentucky, all dressed as civilians, captured the "General"
at Big Shanty April 12, 1862, while the train crew and
passengers were taking breakfast. The purpose of the capture
was to destroy the bridges on the Western & Atlantic RR,
and thereby cut off the Confederate Army from it's base of
supplies. Conductor William A. Fuller, accompanied by
engineer Jeff Cain and Anthony Murphy, Foreman of the
W&A shops, commenced pursuit on foot. They soon secured
a hand cart and in spite of obstructions placed on the
tracks by Andrew's Raiders, made rapid progress. They found
the engine "Yonah" at Etowah, and the pursuit the was at
such a rapid pace, that severe damage to the railroad by the
Raiders was impossible. The "General" was abandoned by the
Raiders on account of lack of fuel, and the close pursuit of
Conductor Fuller and party.
The tablet goes on to list the names and fate of the
Raiders: Eight executed as spies (including Andrews), five
were exchanged, and the remaining 8 escaped prison and
reached Union lines.
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