Civil War Railroad Photo's, Page 1

Civil War Railroad Photographs

Throughout the history of this nation, the railroad has been an integral part of our expansion and economic development. Although a railroad fan will instantly conjure up the romantic image of the west being served by the glorious steam engines that were able to link the west to the folks back east. The railroads destruction at the hands of Sherman's army during the Civil War is equally important in terms of shaping the direction that this country has taken.

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Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division.

Description:

On April 12, 1862 a band of 20 Union soldiers and two civilians attempted to disrupt railroad traffic between two major southern cities, Chattanooga, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. Under the leadership of civilian James Andrews, the band commandeered a train, The General, and set off on their mission.

William Fuller, who was the Confederate conductor of the train that was stolen, gave pursuit using various methods, but ultimately using a different train, The Texas, and caught up to The General and prevented success of the Union's mission.

Commonly referred to as "The Great Locomotive Chase", the event has been the subject of countless books and at least two major motion pictures.

The General

	Made Famous by the Andrews raid on April 12, 1862, The General was built in 1855 for the Western and Atlantic Railroad. This 4-4-0 engine was originally a wood burning unit with a balloon type smokestack.
The General, Circa (1886)
In the late 1870's the Western and Atlantic railroad began to rebuild and repair its operations from the toll the war had taken upon its equipment. During this process a great deal of The General was rebuilt and converted into a coal burning unit. These pictures all show a Diamond smokestack that indicates a coal burning engine.
	The General. (1887) William Fuller, the conductor of the Texas is standing by the tender. Jacob Parrott, one of the Union raiders is standing in the cab.
The Texas
	The engine that was in pursuit of The General, The Texas, piloted by conductor William Fuller eventually caught The General just north of Ringgold, Georgia.
The Texas, still in use. (1903)
Sherman's army followed the same basic route along the Western and Atlantic roadway a couple of years later as it made its way into Atlanta leading to the infamous burning of Atlanta.
	The Texas, retired and on display. (1911)

Civil War Railroad Photographs

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The General, Circa (1886)

The General. (1887)

William Fuller, the conductor of the Texas is standing by the tender. Jacob Parrott, one of the Union raiders is standing in the cab.

The Texas, still in use. (1903)

The Texas, retired and on display. (1911)