"We shall individually be held responsible for doing one jot less than we have ability to do...But when we give ourselves wholly to God, and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to cooperate with One who knows no failure." ~Messages to Young People, p. 309

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A "General" Thing, But An Exciting Story!


Hi Everyone!


Hope you all are doing well.


During the past few days I have been doing some research on "The Great Locomotive Chase". As I found out, this exciting event happened in North Georgia, just minutes from my doorstep! So even though the Chase isn't Tennessee history, naturally I was interested.


For those of you who aren't Civil War buffs, (I know I'm not, particularly) but here is a brief summary of what happened in April, 1862.

Confederate General Beauregard, in Chattanooga, was totally dependent on supplies coming from Atlanta-by way of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. So Union General Buell commissioned Yankee spy James J. Andrews to lead a party of solders to tear up the W&ARR from Big Shanty-to-Chattanooga-to stop Confederate supplies, and in general tear up track, bridges, and telegraph lines.


So Andrews' Raiders boarded the "General", a mixed passenger/freight train headed from Atlanta to Chattanooga. And when the passengers and train crew went in to the Lacy Hotel at Big Shanty (now Kenesaw, GA) to eat breakfast-well, Andrews' Raiders steeled the "General"...and the chase was on!


And then, well...I'll let you read the story by one of the Raiders, William Pittenger.




If you want to see the General today, learn more about its home in Kenesaw, GA at:



Photobug