THE CHATTANOOGA UNION CEMETERIES

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Andrews Raiders Monument-National Cemetery - Summer 1912

Andrews Raiders Momument - January 2002

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This scene in the Chattanooga National Cemetery recalls one of the most romantic and daring exploits of the war, which took place on the Western & Atlantic Rallroad, the road between Atlanta and Chatta nooga, so battled over later in Sherman's persistent advance and Johnston's stubbon retreat in the famous Atlanta campaign .

A party of twenty-two, James J. Andrews in command, nearly all from the 21st, 33d or 2d Ohio Infantry, all in citizens' garb and liable to be ereated as spies, boarded the north-bound train at Marietta, April 12, 1862, with tickets for various points, professing to be refugees wishing to enter the Confederate army. At Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) while the passengers and train crew were mostly at breakfast, they seized and escaped with the locomotive "General" and three freight cars. The plan, skillfully conceived and bravely attempted, was to destroy bridges and cut off the Confederate army from sup plies.

Pursuit followed, first on foot, then by hand-car, then with locomotives, and in spite of cutting the wire, breakmg and obstructing the track, and straining every nerve to distance the chase, the brave adventurers, their fuel giving out and their pursuers close upon them, finally abandoned the engine between Ringgold and Graysville, Ga., and sought safety in flight on foot, but were all eventually captured.

The locomotive itself is kept on exhibition in the Union Depot at Chattanooga, with appropriate historlcal matter. The tender, filled with wood, shows that the "General" was an old-fashioned wood burner.

On the side of the monument shown in the picture are the names of James J. Andrews and seven others, executed, and the curved row of seven uniform headstones, together wlth one to the right, not shown in the picture, are to these eight victims of the bloody law of war. On the end in sight are the names of six exchanged. At the other end are the names of eight escaped, and on the farther side of the monument is the inscription:

OHIO'S TRIBUTE
TO Tl:IE
ANDREWS RAIDERS,
1862.
ERECTED 1890.

This view is one of three given within this beautiful city of the dead.

Entering the National Cemetery - 1912.

The old gateway in May 2001

This view is taken from near the main entrance to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, whose stone gateway bears within the inscription:

HERE REST IN PEACE 12,956 CITIZENS
WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY
IN THE YEARS 1861 TO 1865

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The number of soldiers' graves there now is 13,470, mostly, of course, though not quite all, victims of the Civil War. There are also the graves of about 100 civilians, mostly refugees and employes of the Government during the war, and wives and widows of ex-soldiers who have died since the war ended.

This picture gives some idea of the beauty of the place and the care with which the Nation guards and adorns the resting place of its defenders. Besides some land outside the wall there is enclosed about seventy five acres rising from the outside boundaries, accessible by two electric car lines, which is adorned with greensward, forest trees, plants,

flowers and shrubbery, and carefully kept in the best of order, making a spot not only inspiring to the patriot, but well worth a visit for its beauty alone. Two other views within the enclosure are given in this series. The flag floats from the rostrum on the high ground where on Decoration Days words of eulogy for the departed and of inspiration for the living combine with the strewing of flowers on the graves to celebrate the. sad and sacred national holiday. Beautiful views, though much obscured by the plentiful forest trees, are had of the picturesque and famous surroundings of Chattanooga. Missionary Ridge seems very close at hand, recalling the glories of that November day in 1863, and historic Lookout Mountain is clearly seen. The hand of Nature and of man combine to adorn and glorify the spot where sleep the defenders of the grateful Nation.

Chattanooga and Her Battlefields was published for the Civil War veterans who were visiting Chattanooga in the years just after the dedication of the Chicamauga Battlefield as a national park.

1912 Description of the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

[Selected photographs of the Chattanooga National Cemetery - May 2001]

1912 Description of the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery

19th Century and Free Expression Conference Home Page.

U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Project: The Civil War

United States National Archives (for information dealing with U. S. military records)

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Last updated: October 1, 2001.
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