Daring and Suffering by William Pittenger

It has been duplicated exactly as it appeared at that time with the addition of a brief introduction by Col. This book is a reproduction of the 1887 edition. Shortly after he was mustered out, he composed an account of the mission, which was enlarged over subsequent editions and supplemented to become the most well-known and best-regarded account of the adventure. Fuller followed them on foot, by handcar, and by locomotive, even running an engine in reverse at speeds up to ninety miles an hour.Īmong the raiders was Cpl. They each received a medal of honor from the hands of the President.

Eighteen received the Medal of Honor.Īlthough little was gained militarily by the adventure, the story of the Great Locomotive Chase (also known as the Andrews raid) has fascinated generations of Americans with its many ironies and particularly the dogged persistence of one man William Fuller, the conductor of the stolen train who relentlessly pursued the raiders. Of the twenty-two daring adventurers who took their lives in their hands and penetrated the enemy's country, eight were executed, and the others, after suffering untold hardships, finally succeeded in re-crossing the lines and reaching their regiments in the Union army.

Six languished in a Southern stockade until they were paroled. If successful, they would isolate Chattanooga and possibly facilitate its capture, enabling the city to serve as a base for Union raids into Alabama. Their goal was to steal a train and head north, disrupting rail service between Chattanooga and Atlanta by burning bridges, tearing up track, and cutting telegraph wires. During the evening of April 7, 1862, twenty-four men infiltrated the Confederate lines below Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Daring and Suffering by William Pittenger