On April 12, 1862, 22 volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, commandeered a Confederate locomotive named “The General” outside of Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw) and took it northward toward Chattanooga, Tennessee – doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western and Atlantic Railroad line as they went.
Out of fuel,Andrews and his men abandoned the locomotive and scattered into the woods before being captured by Confederate troops.
All were put on trial and convicted for “acts of unlawful belligerency” or being unlawful combatants and spies.
Shortly thereafter, Andrews and seven of the Raiders were executed by hanging with the remaining held as prisoners of war. Among those who perished were Private George D. Wilson and Private Philip G. Shadrach. These eight Raiders made the ultimate sacrifice on June 18, 1862, at the corner of Fair Street (now Memorial Drive) and South Park Avenue, Atlanta, GA.
The six recipients to first receive the Medals of Honor gave a deposition before Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt of the United States Army about this “Chase.” Included, and corroborated, in these retellings were the actions of all the Raiders who took part in the famed raid.
In the years to follow, 19 of the 24 total Raiders would receive the Medal of Honor. Samuel Llewellyn, who did not participate in the raid itself, did not receive the decoration. James J. Andrews and William Campbell were ineligible as the two civilians in the party. However, neither Private Shadrach nor Private Wilson received the Medal of Honor. Although eligible as full participants in the Raid and as personnel of the U.S. Army, the two soldiers mysteriously were never posthumously awarded.
Shortly thereafter, Andrews and seven of the Raiders were executed by hanging with the remaining held as prisoners of war. Among those who perished were Private George D. Wilson and Private Philip G. Shadrach. These eight Raiders made the ultimate sacrifice on June 18, 1862, at the corner of Fair Street (now Memorial Drive) and South Park Avenue, Atlanta, GA.
In the years to follow, 19 of the 24 total Raiders would receive the Medal of Honor. Samuel Llewellyn, who did not participate in the raid itself, did not receive the decoration. James J. Andrews and William Campbell were ineligible as the two civilians in the party. However, neither Private Shadrach nor Private Wilson received the Medal of Honor. Although eligible as full participants in the Raid and as personnel of the U.S. Army, the two soldiers mysteriously were never posthumously awarded.
On Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024, Private Philip G. Shadrach and Private George D. Wilson posthumously received our nation’s highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor, in recognition of their Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Commitment, and ultimately, their Sacrifice.
Click the link below to learn more about our individual First Medal of Honor Recipients.
