Historic Great Locomotive Chase Chugged Away from Big Shanty Station During a Breakfast Stop on April 12, 1862

April 12 marks the anniversary of The Great Locomotive Chase, an epic Civil War era true story that includes trains, spies, bravery and the first Medals of Honor in US history.

"The General" is on display at the Southern Museum in Kennesaw. A Union hijacking in 1862 commonly is known as The Great Locomotive Chase.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe

The most visible and visited commemoration of the chase is preserved in Kennesaw, GA, where the Southern Museum houses the stolen locomotive, The General, that started the adventure. Much of the Museum is dedicated to The General and the chase, while also telling the story of railroads and their importance during the mid-to-late 1800s.

In 2022, we did a blog post about The General, The Chase, the Medal of Honor and more, which you'll find at OurTravelCafe.com (where advertising may earn revenue for the website and author.)

Since the train's hijacking in 1862, lots of lore and links have developed to the feat. Some of the most notable include:

• US Medal of Honor. Considered the highest military award in the country, a total of 19 Union soldiers received the US Medal of Honor for their part in the historic raid. These were the first Medals of Honor in US history. Our blog post and an accompanying podcast includes more.

A monument in Chattanooga National Cemetery marks the resting place of multiple Medal of Honor recipients who participated in the raid.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

• Concert Music. Music of The Great Locomotive Chase by composer Robert W. Smith is often played by concert bands and symphonies. The piece “stages the train chase complete with fascinating textures and effects,” says program notes from the publisher.
• Multiple Books. Well-known accounts are found in “Wild Train: The Story of The Andrews Raiders,” by Charles O’Neill and published in 1956; and “Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor,” by Marietta resident Russel S. Bonds in 2006. Bonds' book was selected by Civil War Interactive as "one of the top Civil War books of all time. (While it's available through usual sources, you can find the best price -- about half of the Amazon price -- at the Marietta History Center gift shop. Than means you can buy the book AND visit the museum for less that the book purchase alone on Amazon!)
• A Slapstick Silent Movie. Film legend Buster Keaton directed and starred in the 1926 feature film, The General. An ad for the movie read, “Join the LAUGH Brigade. Enlist for Fun with the Commander-in-Chief of LAUGHTER!”
• A Disney Movie. This 1956 Hollywood version, starring Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter, portrays the historic story made by the Walt Disney Company. Major portions were filmed near Clayton and Tallulah Falls, GA. The movie is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
• A Television Special. In 1961, the Disney re-edited the movie into a two-part feature for television’s “The Magical World of Disney.”
• Community Festivals. Both Adairsville, GA, and Cartersville, GA, celebrate Great Locomotive Chase festivals. But both festivals are held in October, not during April when the chase occurred.

More Georgia History from DeanLand

If you enjoyed this, follow DeanLand on Newsbreak for more Georgia content. And check out these other Georgia history posts by DeanLand:

The Day WWII Came to Georgia

Historic Georgia Gold Mine Hides Under a Walmart

Panning for Gold in Georgia Creeks

Massive Train Wreck Destroys Georgia Trestle

Antique Fire Wagon Displayed in Marietta

Marietta's Blue Eagle Volunteer Fire Company

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