Evening star., 1911-08-20
1901

meet Andrews at Marietta. Ga. more
than 2,o miles away land less than twen-
~ miles north of AtantaD. the evening
of the third day after the start. When
questioned we We're to profess ourselves
kentuCkians going to join the southern
army.
on the journey we We're good deal
annoyed by swollen streams and the
muddy roads consequent on three days
of almost ceaseess rain. Andrews was
led 10 believe that MitcheTs column
would be inevita bly, delayed. and as we
We're expected to destroy the bridges the
very day that Huntsville was entered
he took the responsibility of sending
word to our different groups that our
attempt would be postponed one day
from Friday to Saturday, April l.. This
was natural but most lamentabls
error of judgment
one Of the men was beated and did
not join us at all. Two others were very
soon captured by the enemy, and though
their true character was not detected
they were forced into the southern army
and two. who reached Marietta failed
10 report at the rendezvous. Thus, When
we assembled. Very early in the morning,
in Andrews room at the Marietta
Hotel for final consultation before the
blow was struck We We're but twenty
including our leader. All preliminary
difficulties had heen easily overcome, and
We We're IN good spirits.
But some serious obstacles had been
revealed on our ride from Chattanooga
TO Marietta the previous evening. fThe
different detachmentS reached the Geor-
gi6 State railroad at Chattanooga, and
travelled ordinary passengers on trains
found 10 he crowded with trains, and
many soldiers were among the Dassen-
gers. Then the station-Big Shanty-at
which the capture 70 be effected had
recently been made d Confederate camp
To succeed in our enterprise ii would
10 necessary first to capture the engine
IN guarded camp, with soldiers stand
ing around as spectators and then 10
run IL from loo to 2ed miles through the
enemy's country and to deceive or over
power all trains that should he meta
large contract for twenty men,
Some Of cur party thought the chances
OF success so slight. under existing cir
cumstances. that they urged the aban-
donment of the whole enterprise But
Andrews declared his purpose to succeed
or die. offering to each man. however
the privilege of Withdrawing from rhe
attempt-an offer no one was in the
least disposed to accept Final instruc-
tions We're then given. and we hurried
10 the ticket Office in time for the north
Ward-bound mail train, and purchased
tickets for different stations along the
line in the direction of Chattanooea.
our ride as passengers was but eight
miles. We swept swiftly around the
n"Se OF hehesaW mountain, and soon saw
lhe tents of the forces camped At Rir
Shanty fnow kenesaw stationl sIeano
Wnte IN the morning mist Here We
We're to stop for breakfast ard attempt
M tMt!e SEIZURE OF the train. The morning
VAS raw and gloomy, and rain, which
fell all day. had already begun.
II was a painfully thrilling moment
We We're but twenty. with an army
ABOUT US and a long and difficult road
leioFe Us crowded with enemies In an
instant We We're to throw off the die
guise which had been our only nrotec-
tlon, and trust to our leaders genius and
our own efforts for sa fety and success
fortunately. We had no time for giving
way to reflections and coniectures which
could only unfit us for the stern task
ahead.
When We stopped. the conductor. engi-
neer, and many of the passengers hur-
REQ 10 breakfast. leaving the train un-
guarded. Now was the moment of action
AScertaining that there was nothing 10
prevent a rapid start, Andrews our two
engineers. Brown and Knight and the
fireman hurried forward uncouplinp a
St'ltolt ~ llie lEdln, consisting three
empty baggage or box cars the locomo-
tive and tender. The engineers and fire
man sprang into the cab of the engine
while Andrews, with hand on he rail
and foot on the step, waited To see that
the remainder Of the band had gained en-
trance into the rear box car This seemed
difhcuit and slow. though il really con
stunned but a few seconds, for the car
stood on a considerable bank and the
first who came We're pitched in By their
comrades. while these in turn. dragged
in the others and the door was instantly
closed
A sentinel. with musket in hand stood
not a dozen feet from the engine watch
ing the whole proceeding. but before he or
could make up their minds to interfere.
all was done, and Andrews, with a nod to
his engineer stepped on board. The valve
was pulled wide open, and for a moment
the wheels OF the General slipped
around ineffectively; then, With a bound
that jerl.ed the soldiers in the box car
from their feet, the little train darted
away, leaving the camp and station in
the widest uproar and confusion. The
first step of the enterprise was triumph
anty accomplished
According to the timetable of which
Andrews had secured a copy, there were
TWO trains to be met. These presented
no serious hindrance to our attaining
high speed. for we could tell just where
10 expect them. There was also a local
freight not down on the timetable, but
which could not he far distant. Any
danger of collision with il could be avoid
ed by running according to the schedule