The Historic General Author:Randell W. McBryde The ?General? was the engine used by James J. Andrews and his companions ? all volunteers ? in a daring attempt to aid the Yankees by cutting the telegraph lines and destroying as much as possible of the Western and Atlantic Railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga in 1862. — McBryde?s account traces the progress of the raid ? including details ... more »about the men pursuing Andrews? Raiders in other locomotives ? and includes photographs of the places associated with the daring but ill-fated effort to wound the Confederacy.
Eight of the volunteers, including Captain Andrews, were executed after they were captured; however, 14 were able to escape.
And five ? Sgt. Marion A. Ross, Sgt. William Pittinger, Private William Bensinger, Private Robert Buffum, Private William Knight and Private Jacob Parrott ? became the first recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.« less