One of the Civil War’s most thrilling episodes will be commemorated next week in several North Georgia towns that figured in the Great Locomotive Chase.
Also known as Andrews’ Raid, the chase took place on April 12, 1862, when Union operatives, led by James Andrews, commandeered The General, a Confederate locomotive, near Atlanta. Their objective was to destroy the vital Western & Atlantic Railroad as they made their way north toward Chattanooga. They were stopped short near the Tennessee border after an 88-mile run.
Kennesaw
Sesquicentennial events start Thursday in Kennesaw at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, where The General is housed. Included are a breakfast and dinner, as well as an after-dinner party, “Desserts at the Southern Museum,” featuring Civil War-era musician Bobby Horton. Museum admission is free that day.
The following weekend, April 14-15, is Camp McDonald: A Living History Weekend. Re-enactment groups will interpret life in the Confederate encampment, which was located across the tracks from where the museum now sits.
Dalton and beyond
Meanwhile, tickets have sold out for the Great Locomotive Tour on April 14 that will cover most of the northern portion of the route taken by the hijacked locomotive:
• The Silver Shoe Ranch and Wildlife Preserve in Tilton — The location of Green’s Wood Station, where The General was forced to cut short its resupply efforts as the pursuing locomotive Texas approached.
• Dalton’s Western & Atlantic Depot — Where The Texas dropped off 17-year-old telegrapher Edward Henderson with instructions to alert Confederate forces in Chattanooga.
• The Western & Atlantic Tunnel — Where The General began to lose steam before coming to a stop near Ringgold, Ga.
Tickets are still available for an auxiliary event, the Dalton Little Theatre’s Spirit Walk, a walking tour of West Hill Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 400 Civil War soldiers. Several actors will portray different historical figures from the era and interact with guests.
IF YOU GO
KENNESAW EVENTS
The Southern Museum is at 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw, Ga., 20 miles north of Atlanta, off I-75 at Exit 273.
Thursday
• 6 a.m. Breakfast at the Trackside Grill; $20.
• 8:30 a.m. Reading of 150th anniversary proclamation at Kennesaw Depot.
• 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission at museum .
• 6:30 p.m. Great Locomotive Chase dinner at Trackside Grill; sold out.
• 8 p.m. “Dessert at the Southern Museum,” featuring Civil War songs by Bobby Horton; $25 for those not attending the dinner.
April 14-15
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Camp McDonald: A Living History Weekend, with re-enactment groups interpreting life in the Confederate encampment; $5 adults, $2 children 4-12 (ticket also allows entry to museum, which will be open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 15).
• For tickets: 770-427-2117 or www.southernmuseum.org/exhibits/the-general.
DALTON EVENTS
The Great Locomotive Chase tour on April 14 is sold out, but tickets remain for the three-day Spirit Walk at West Hill Cemetery.
• April 13: 5, 5:20 and 5:40 p.m.
• April 14: 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m.
• April 15: 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m.
• Admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students; discount for GLC tour participants.
• For tickets: www.glctour.eventbrite.com.
• For information: www.Dalton150th.com.