Everything Everywhere Daily: The Great Locomotive Chase

Episode Release Date: June 21, 2025
Host: Gary Arndt
Producer: Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Austin Okun and Cameron Kiefer

Introduction to the Great Locomotive Chase

On April 12, 1862, amidst the tumult of the American Civil War, a daring and audacious event unfolded that would etch its mark in military history—the Great Locomotive Chase. Unlike conventional battles where armies clashed on open fields, this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily delves into one of the first instances of a military raid explicitly aimed at crippling the enemy's vital technological infrastructure: the railroad.

Strategic Importance of Railroads in the Civil War

By early 1862, the Civil War had surpassed initial expectations in duration and intensity. The focus of this episode highlights Chattanooga, Tennessee, a pivotal railroad hub essential for the Confederate war effort. General Don Carlos Buell's Union forces were advancing towards this strategic point, while General Ormes B. McKnight Mitchell's troops were maneuvering through northern Alabama and Georgia, targeting Confederate supply lines.

Gary Arndt emphasizes the railroad's role as the "lifeline of the Confederate war effort" (12:45), underlining how the Western and Atlantic Railroad was crucial for transporting troops, supplies, and communications across the Confederate territories. The potential disruption of this network was seen as a strategic move that could significantly hamper Confederate operations.

Conception and Planning of the Raid

The mastermind behind the Great Locomotive Chase was James J. Andrews, a civilian scout and spy from Kentucky. With a background in smuggling contraband goods and deep knowledge of Southern railroads, Andrews proposed a bold plan to the Union: to hijack a Confederate locomotive and sabotage the railroad infrastructure as it traveled northward.

Andrews recruited 22 volunteers from Ohio regiments, many of whom were railroad workers in civilian life, lending expertise crucial to the mission's technical aspects. Among these volunteers were notable figures like William Pittenger, who later provided detailed accounts of the event, Joshua Brown, Marion Ross, and John Wollum. As Arndt narrates, "These weren't professional spies or saboteurs. They were ordinary soldiers, many of them railroad workers" (25:30), highlighting the unique composition of the raiding party.

Execution of the Raid in Big Shanty, Georgia

The operation commenced at the Lacey Hotel in Marietta, Georgia. The burglars planned to steal the Confederate locomotive, the General, during a scheduled breakfast stop in Big Shanty (now Kennesaw, Georgia). Strategically chosen for its Confederate training camp and lack of a telegraph office, Big Shanty presented an opportune moment for the theft.

At approximately 6:00 AM, as passengers disembarked for breakfast, Andrews and his men seized the locomotive. "With a blast of the whistle and clouds of steam, they were off," Arndt recounts (42:15), describing the swift and unexpected nature of the theft amidst the unsuspecting Confederate soldiers.

The Relentless Pursuit by Confederate Forces

The theft triggered an intense pursuit led by William Fuller, the train conductor, alongside Anthony Murphy and Jeff Kane. Despite the seemingly comical image of three men chasing a train on foot, Fuller's determination and railroad expertise turned the chase into a formidable challenge for the raiders.

Arndt explains, "Fuller and his companions demonstrated remarkable persistence and ingenuity" (58:20), detailing how the pursuers utilized handcars and multiple locomotives—Yonah, William R. Smith, and Texas—to maintain the relentless pursuit despite obstacles like track damage and derailed handcars.

Challenges Faced by the Raiders

Operating the stolen General while attempting systematic sabotage of the railroad presented unforeseen difficulties. Each act of destruction required time, allowing Confederate forces to close the gap. Additionally, the necessity to conceal their actions led to interactions with other trains, necessitating cover stories that grew increasingly untenable as news of the theft spread.

The raiders faced dwindling supplies, with limited fuel and water exacerbating the pressure. As the chase neared Ringgold, Georgia, just 18 miles from Chattanooga, the General ran out of steam. Facing capture, the raiders abandoned the locomotive and scattered into the woods, marking a pivotal turning point in the mission.

Aftermath and Legacy

All 22 raiders were captured within days. Tragically, eight, including Andrews, were executed as spies, sparking controversy and fueling Union propaganda. The remaining survivors either escaped from prison or were exchanged, with 14 honored as the first recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Gary Arndt reflects on the raid's broader implications: "The Great Locomotive Chase showcased several important themes in the American Civil War," he states (1:15:40), highlighting the evolving role of railroads in warfare, the emergence of special operations tactics, and the power of individual acts of courage in shaping public perception and propaganda.

Cultural Impact and Historical Significance

The General, the locomotive at the heart of the chase, survived the war and now resides at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia. The chasing train, the Texas, is preserved at the Atlanta History Center. The Great Locomotive Chase inspired early cinematic works, including Buster Keaton's silent film The General and the 1956 Disney film The Great Locomotive Chase, cementing its place in both history and popular culture.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Great Locomotive Chase

The episode concludes by drawing parallels between the Civil War's strategic infrastructure targeting and modern warfare tactics. Arndt notes, "Infrastructure becomes both weapon and target," emphasizing the enduring relevance of such strategies in contemporary conflicts.

As Gary Arndt eloquently summarizes, "Sometimes the most audacious plans, even when they fail, can achieve a kind of immortality that outlasts the conflict that spawned them" (1:30:55), encapsulating the lasting legacy of the Great Locomotive Chase.

Notable Quotes

1. Gary Arndt on the Importance of Railroads:

   • "The railroad was the lifeline of the Confederate war effort." (12:45)

2. On the Composition of the Raiding Party:

   • "These weren't professional spies or saboteurs. They were ordinary soldiers, many of them railroad workers." (25:30)

3. Describing the Theft of the General:

   • "With a blast of the whistle and clouds of steam, they were off." (42:15)

4. On the Pursuit's Persistence:

   • "Fuller and his companions demonstrated remarkable persistence and ingenuity." (58:20)

5. Gary Arndt's Reflection on the Raid's Themes:

   • "The Great Locomotive Chase showcased several important themes in the American Civil War." (1:15:40)

6. Concluding Thoughts on the Raid's Legacy:

   • "Sometimes the most audacious plans, even when they fail, can achieve a kind of immortality that outlasts the conflict that spawned them." (1:30:55)

Additional Information

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Upcoming Event: Everything Everywhere Daily 5th Anniversary Party on July 19th in Appleton, Wisconsin. RSVP via the link in the show notes.
• Listener Reviews: Highlights include feedback from Di Die Die and BudgieDude233 regarding the podcast's engaging content and suggestions for future topics.

For those intrigued by the intersection of history, technology, and daring military tactics, "The Great Locomotive Chase" offers a riveting exploration of one of the Civil War's most legendary episodes.