A LOCOMOTIVE AND TRAIN CAPTURED.
The greater number of us arranged to pass the night at a small hotel
adjoining the Marietta depot. Before retiring we left orders with the
hotel clerk to rouse us in time for the northward bound train, due not
long after daylight. Notwithstanding our novel situation, I never slept
more soundly. Good health, extreme fatigue, and the feeling that the die
was now cast and further thought useless, made me sink into slumber
almost as soon as I touched the bed. Others equally brave and determined
were affected in a different way. Alfred Wilson says,--
"No man knows what a day may bring forth, and the very
uncertainty of what that day's sun would bring forth in our
particular cases was the reason that some of us, myself at
least of the number, did not sleep very much. Our doom might be
fixed before the setting of another sun. We might be hanging to
the limbs of some of the trees along the railroad, with an
enraged populace jeering and shouting vengeance because we had
no more lives to give up; or we might leave a trail of fire and
destruction behind us, and come triumphantly rolling into
Chattanooga and Huntsville, within the Federal lines, to
receive the welcome plaudits of comrades left behind, and the
thanks of our general, and the praises of a grateful people.
Such thoughts as these passed in swift review, and were not
calculated to make one sleep soundly."
As the hotel was much crowded, we obtained a few rooms in close
proximity, and crowded them to their utmost capacity. Andrews noted our
rooms before retiring, that he might, if necessary, seek any one of us
out for consultation before we rose. Porter and Hawkins were
unfortunately overlooked; they had arrived on an earlier train and
obtained lodging at some distance from the depot. The clerk failed to
have them called in time for the morning train, as they had ordered,
and, greatly to their regret and chagrin, they were left behind. This
was a serious loss, as they were both cool, brave men, and Hawkins was
the most experienced railway engineer of our company. W. F. Brown, who
took his place in this work, was, however, fully competent, though
possibly somewhat less cautious.
Long before the train was due, Andrews, who had slept little, if at all,
that night, glided from room to room silently as a ghost, the doors
being purposely left unfastened, and aroused the slumberers. It seemed
to some of us scarcely a moment from the time of retiring until he came
thus to the bedside of each sleeper in turn, and cautiously wakening
him, asked his name, to prevent the possibility of mistake, and then
told each one exactly the part he was expected to take in the enterprise
of the day. There was hasty dressing, and afterwards an informal meeting
held in Andrews' room, at which nearly one-half of the whole number were
present, and plans were more fully discussed. Then Marion A. Ross, one
of the most determined of the whole number, took the bold step of
advising and even urging the abandonment, for the present, of the whole
enterprise. He reasoned with great force that under present
circumstances, with the rebel vigilance fully aroused by Mitchel's rapid
advance, with guards stationed around the train we were to capture, as
we had learned would be the case at Big Shanty, and with the road itself
obstructed by numerous trains, the enterprise was sure to fail, and
would cost the life of every man engaged in it. Andrews very gently
answered his arguments and strove to show that the objections urged
really weighed in favor of the original plan. No such attempt as we
purposed had ever been made, and consequently would not be guarded
against; the presence of a line of sentinels and of so many troops at
Big Shanty would only tend to relax vigilance still further; and the
great amount of business done on the road, with the running of many
unscheduled trains, would screen us from too close inquiry when we ran
our train ahead of time. This reasoning was not altogether satisfactory,
and some of the others joined Ross in a respectful but firm protest
against persisting in such a hopeless undertaking. But Andrews, speaking
very low, as was his wont when thoroughly in earnest, declared that he
had once before postponed the attempt, and returned to camp disgraced.
"Now," he continued, "I will accomplish my purpose or leave my bones to
bleach in Dixie. But I do not wish to control any one against his own
judgment. If any of you think it too hazardous, you are perfectly at
liberty to take the train in the opposite direction and work your way
back to camp as you can."
This inflexible determination closed the discussion, and as no man was
willing to desert his leader, we all assured him of our willingness to
obey his orders to the death. I had taken no part in the discussion, as
I was not in possession of sufficient facts to judge of the chance of
success, and I wished the responsibility to rest upon the leader, where
it properly belonged.
The train was now nearly due, and we proceeded to the station for the
purchase of tickets. By the time they had been procured--not all for one
place, as we wished to lessen the risk of suspicion--the train swept up
to the platform. Hastily glancing at it in the early morning light, and
seeing only that it was very long and apparently well filled, the twenty
adventurers entered by different doors, but finally took their places in
one car.
From Marietta to Big Shanty the railroad sweeps in a long bend of eight
miles around the foot of Kenesaw Mountain, which lies directly between
the two stations. This elevation is now scarred all over with rebel
intrenchments, and was the scene of one of the severest contests of the
war. This, however, as well as the whole of the three months' struggle
from Chattanooga to Atlanta, came a year and a half later. At this time
the nearest Federal soldiers were more than two hundred miles away.
When the train moved on and the conductor came to take our tickets we
observed him carefully, as we knew not how closely his fate and ours
might be linked together in the approaching struggle. The most vivid
anticipation fell far short of the reality. Upon the qualities of that
one man our success or failure hinged. He was quite young--not more than
twenty-three or four,--and looked like a man of resolution and energy.
We noticed that he was also scrutinizing us and the other passengers
very closely, and naturally feared that he had in some manner been put
on his guard. In fact, as we learned long afterwards, he had been warned
that some of the new conscripts who were reluctant to fight for the
Confederacy were contemplating an escape, and might try to get a ride on
the cars. His orders were to watch for all such and arrest them at once.
But he did not think that any of the men who got on at Marietta looked
in the least like conscripts or deserters.
The train ran slowly, stopping at several intervening points, and did
not reach Big Shanty until it was fully daylight. This station had been
selected for the seizure, because the train breakfasted there, and it
was probable that many of the employes and passengers would leave it for
their meal, thus diminishing the opposition we might expect. Another
most important reason for the selection was the absence of any telegraph
office. But, on the other hand, Camp McDonald had been lately located
here, and a large body of soldiers--some accounts said as many as ten
thousand men--were already assembled. Their camp included the station
within the guard-line. When Andrews and the first party had been at
Atlanta, three weeks earlier, few troops had yet arrived at this point.
The capture of a train in the midst of a camp of the enemy was not a
part of the original plan, but subsequently became necessary. It was
certainly a great additional element of danger, but it was not now
possible to substitute any other point.
The decisive hour had arrived. It is scarcely boastful to say that the
annals of history record few enterprises more bold and novel than that
witnessed by the rising sun of Saturday morning, April 12, 1862. Here
was a train, with several hundred passengers, with a full complement of
hands, lying inside a line of sentinels, who were distinctly seen pacing
back and forth in close proximity, to be seized by a mere score of men,
and to be carried away before the track could be obstructed, or the
intruding engineer shot down at his post. Only the most careful
calculation and prompt execution, concentrating the power of the whole
band into a single lightning-like stroke, could afford the slightest
prospect of success. In the bedroom conference every action was
predetermined with the nicest accuracy. Our engineer and his assistant
knew the signal at which to start; the brakesmen had their work
assigned; the man who was to uncouple the cars knew just the place at
which to make the separation; the remainder of the number constituted a
guard, in two divisions, who were to stand with ready revolvers abreast
of the cars to be seized, and shoot down without hesitation any one who
attempted to interfere with the work. Andrews was to command the whole,
and do any part of the work not otherwise provided for. Should there be
any unexpected hindrance, we were to fight until we either overcame all
opposition and captured the train or perished in a body. If we failed to
carry off our prize we were inevitably lost; if any man failed to be on
board when the signal was given, his fate also was sealed. A delay of
thirty seconds after our designs became clearly known would have
resulted in the slaughter of the whole party.
When our train rolled up to the platform the usual announcement was
shouted, "Big Shanty; twenty minutes for breakfast!" Most fortunately
for us, the conductor, engineer, firemen, and train-hands generally,
with many of the passengers, poured out, and hurried to the long, low
eating-room which gave its name to the station. The engine was utterly
unguarded. This uncommon carelessness was the result of perfect
security, and greatly favored our design. Yet it was a thrilling moment!
Victory or death hung on the next minute! There was no chance for
drawing back, and I do not think any of us had the disposition. A little
while before, a sense of shrinking came over the writer like that
preceding a plunge into ice-water; but with the next breath it passed
away, and left me as calm and quiet as if no enemy had been within a
hundred miles. Still, for a moment, we kept our seats. Andrews went
forward to examine the track and see if there was any hindrance to a
rapid rush ahead. Almost immediately he returned, and said, very
quietly, "All right, boys; let us go now." There was nothing in this to
attract special observation; but whether it did or not was now a matter
of indifference. The time of concealment was past. We rose, left the
cars, and walked briskly to the head of the train. With the precision of
machinery, every man took his appointed place. Three cars back from the
tender the coupling-pin was drawn out, as the load of passenger-cars
would only have been an incumbrance. Wilson W. Brown, who acted as
engineer, William Knight as assistant, Alfred Wilson as fireman,
together with Andrews, mounted the engine, Knight grasping the lever,
and waiting the word for starting. The appointed brakesmen threw
themselves flat on the top of the cars. At a signal from Andrews, the
remainder of the band, who had kept watch, climbed with surprising
quickness into a box-car which stood open. All was well! Knight, at
Andrews' orders, jerked open the steam-valve, and we were off! Before
the camp-guards or the bystanders could do more than turn a curious
eye upon our proceedings, the train was under way, and we were safe from
interruption.
[Illustration: CAPTURE OF A TRAIN.]
The writer was stationed in the box-car, and as soon as all were in, we
pulled the door shut to guard against any stray musket-balls. For a
moment of most intense suspense after we were thus shut in all was
still. In that moment a thousand conflicting thoughts swept through our
minds. Then came a pull, ajar, a clang, and we were flying away on our
perilous journey. Those who were on the engine caught a glimpse of the
excited crowd, soldiers and citizens, swarming and running about in the
wildest confusion. It has been said that a number of shots were fired
after us, but those in the box-car knew nothing of it, and it is certain
that no one was injured. A widely-circulated picture represented us as
waving our hats and shouting in triumph. Nothing so melodramatic took
place. The moment was too deep and earnest, and we had too many perils
still to encounter for any such childish demonstration.
Yet it was a grand triumph, and having nothing of a more practical
character for the moment to do, I realized it to the fullest extent.
There are times in life when whole years of enjoyment are condensed into
a single experience. It was so with me then. I could comprehend the
emotion of Columbus when he first beheld through the dim dawn the
long-dreamed-of shores of America, or the less innocent but no less
fervent joy of Cortez when he planted the Cross of Spain on the halls of
Montezuma. My breast throbbed fast with emotions of joy and gladness
that words labor in vain to express. A sense of ethereal lightness ran
through my veins, and I seemed ascending higher, higher, with each
pulsation of the engine. Remember, I was but twenty-two then, full of
hope and ambition. Not a dream of failure shadowed my rapture. We had
always been told that the greatest difficulty was to reach and take
possession of the engine, after which success was certain. But for
unforeseen contingencies it would have been.
Away we rush, scouring past field and village and woodland. At each leap
of the engine our hearts rose higher, and we talked merrily of the
welcome that would greet us when we dashed into Huntsville a few hours
later, our enterprise done, and the brightest laurels of the war
eclipsed!
We found the railroad, however, to be of the roughest and most difficult
character. The grades were very heavy and the curves numerous and sharp.
We seemed to be running towards every point of the compass. The deep
valleys and steep hills of this part of the country had rendered the
building of the road difficult and costly. There were numerous high
embankments where an accident would be of deadly character. The track
was also uneven and in generally bad condition, for the war had rendered
railroad iron scarce and high-priced, besides diverting all attention
and resources into other channels. This unfavorable character of the
road very greatly increased the difficulty experienced by an engineer
unfamiliar with the route in making rapid time, or in avoiding the
varied difficulties incident to our progress. But we trusted implicitly
that the far-sighted plans of Andrews, the skill of our engineers, and
our own willing efforts would overcome all hindrances.
Our first run was short. There was a sudden checking of speed and a
halt. When those of us who were in the box-car pushed open our door and
asked the reason for stopping so soon, we were told that the fire was
low and the steam exhausted. This was startling intelligence, and caused
a moment of consternation. If our "General"--the name of the locomotive
we had captured--failed us at the beginning of the race, we too well
knew what the end would be. For hundreds of miles on every side of us
were desperate and daring foes. A hundred times our number of horse and
foot could be gathered against us in a few hours. The most timid bird
pursued by hounds feels safe, for its wings can bear it above their
jaws. But if those wings should be broken! This engine gave us wings;
but if it should be disabled no valor of ours could beat back the hosts
about us, no skill elude their rage. But we found a less threatening
explanation of our premature halt. The schedule time of our train was
very slow,--only about sixteen miles an hour,--and the fires had been
allowed to run down because of the expected stop of twenty minutes for
breakfast at Big Shanty,--a stop that we had reduced to less than two
minutes. Then the valve being thrown wide open, the little steam in the
boiler was soon exhausted. But this difficulty was of short duration. A
rest of three minutes, with plenty of wood thrown into the furnace,
wrought a change, and we again glided rapidly forward.
But when viewed soberly, and in the light of all the facts since
developed, what were the chances of success and escape possessed by the
flying party? Was the whole attempt, as has been frequently asserted,
rash and foolhardy? Or had it that character of practicability which is
ever the stamp of true genius? Historical accuracy, as well as justice
to the memory of a brave but unfortunate man, compels me to pronounce
the scheme almost faultless. In this estimate I have the full
concurrence of all who were engaged on the opposite side. It is hard to
see how the plan could have been improved without allowing its projector
to have had a knowledge of the precise condition of the enemy such as no
commander at the beginning of an important enterprise ever has. No one
of the plans by which Generals Grant and Sherman finally overthrew the
Rebellion presented a clearer prospect of success.
These are the elements of the problem upon which Andrews based his
hopes. Big Shanty is twenty-eight miles north of Atlanta and thirty-two
south of Kingston. Short of these places he was convinced that no
engine could be obtained for pursuit. He could obstruct the road so that
no train would reach Big Shanty for hours. Pinch-bars and other
instruments for lifting track might be found on the captured engine, or
obtained from some station or working-party. His force of twenty men was
counted ample to overcome resistance at any switch or passing train. One
irregular train only was expected to be on the road, and that would soon
be met,--certainly at Kingston or before,--after which it would be safe
to run at the highest speed to the first bridge, burn it, and pass on to
the next, which, with all other large bridges, could be served in the
same manner. Each bridge burnt would be an insuperable barrier to
pursuit by an engine beyond that point. Thus every part of the scheme
was fair and promising. Only those critics who are wise after the event
can pronounce the attempt rash and hopeless. The destruction of the
telegraph would also be necessary; but this was not difficult. It seemed
as if every contingency was provided for, and then there was the
additional fighting power of twenty chosen men to guard against any
possible emergency. We were now embarked on this most perilous but
hopeful voyage. Coolness, precision of work, and calm effort could
scarcely fail to sever the chief military communications of the enemy
before the setting of the sun, and convince him that no enterprise was
too audacious for the Union arms.