The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-18
AN UNLUCKY LOCOMOTIVE.
Recalling am Fncident in the War-An Engine
Known as a Man-KiIier.

KseCailtNS an xfCluent In the W2r-An EnSxue
Known as a Man-Kilier.
Lumberman's Gazette.
One of the most daring exploits of the war oc-
CURED on the Western & Atlantic railway. II
was an attempt on the part of a small band of
federal soldiers to burn the bridges on that road,
thereby destroying the means of communica-
ton between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The
leader was a man named Andrews, of Ohio. He
proposed the scheme to General Mitchell, at
Shelbyville. and was to be paid $50, 900 in gold ii
successful. Seven member of the Second Ohio
Regiment volunteered for the dangerous mission.
Their names We're VIM. Campbell, George d.
Wilson, M. A. Ross, P. G.. Shadrack. Samuel
Slavens, S. Robson and John Scott. Fourteen
men of the Twenty-first Ohio were also detailed
for the duty. On April 10, 1862, Andrews
and his men disguised themselves and
boarded a train at Marietta, twenty miles north
of Atlanta, on the Western & Atlantic railroad.
At Big Shanty, five miles up the road. they un.
coupled the engine and three cars from the
train while the passengers were in at breakfast.
The dare-devils then started for Chattanooga.
nation OF their act being sent on ahead of them.
Then took place what was probably the most ex-
citing race in the annals of war. The conductor,
engineer and the superintendent Of the road
shops started in pursuit. After running along
the track on foot for a good distance they reached
a hand-car. and, gathering up achievements as
they went, they pushed along vigorously after
the aud bridge burners. The latter had
been delayed at Kingston by the south bound
train being out of time. When questioned
a story about carrying ammunition to
Beauregard. At several places the pursuers
found the track torn up or obstacles places
across the rails. At Etowah they secured an en-
CINE and a coal car, and got to Kingston twenty.
1--WE minutes behind the bridge burners. Here
progress was again stopped by a torn up track.
The pursuers footed it to Adairsyille, and
turned back the engine Of the down train.
Every once in a while they had to stop to re
move cross-ties from the track. A mile and o
half behind Calhoun they came in sight of the
flying fugitives. who dropped a car to block the
way. To the Unionists it was now a race for
life. They knew their oursuers were
drawing nearer and nearer. Their fuel
was exhausted and their steam was Civ
infammable were hurled into tho diminishing
fire. At Dalton they piled up more cross ties.
At Ringgold tho pace of the engine began to
flag, and several miles beyond the race was over.
The Unionists reversed their engine, in order TO
cause a collision with their pursuers. and took to
the woods. Then there was a man-hunt by the
enranged Southerners. All the Northerners
were captured aud taken to Knoxville, and there
court-martialed When caught Andrews had a
great deal of money on his person, and offered
Tended by Hon. John Baxter and Judge Gait.
Andrews and his seven volunteers of the Second
Ohio Regiment were convicted as spies. An
drews was executed in June, 1862, near
Walton Spring, and the others were hanged
southeast of the Atlantic Cemetery. The four
teen detailed men Of the Twenty first Ohio were
not tried. and were afterward regularly ex-
changed.
Referring to this the Railway Review says:
''The stolen engine mentioned in the above clip
ping is still in existence, and is used as a switch
ing engine at Atlanta. She is the No. 3, and is a
Rogers, and has the original v-hook valve motion.
the unluckiest engine on the Western & Allan
tic road, having caused the death of nearly
twenty men. exclusive of the eight soldiers who
were hanged for stealing her. Her reputation
as a man-ki!ler was so well established that it
was difficult to get engineers to run her while
she was employed as a road engine"