Great Locomotive Chase
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The Great Locomotive Chase was a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862, in northern Georgia during the American Civil War. Volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews,
The Andrews Raiders set a boxcar on fire to try to ignite a covered railway bridge and thwart Confederate pursuit.
James J. Andrews
This section of the Norfolk Southern Railway was originally part of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad
Illustration of nineteen men involved in the Great Locomotive Chase—seventeen Union soldiers and two railroad employees who chased them
Medal of Honor
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The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration of the United States Armed Forces and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have
Great Locomotive Chase
…quickly executed some as spies, including Andrews; some others were able to flee. The surviving raiders were the first to be awarded the newly created Medal of Honor by the U.S. Congress for their actions. As a civilian, Andrews was not eligible. After the Union capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in February…
Medals of Honor of the three military departments
Medal of Honor awarded posthumously in 1866 to John Morehead Scott, one of the Andrews Raiders
Post 1944 Army version
Post 1942 Navy version