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Daring and Suffering: A History of the Great Railroad Adventure
CONTENTS.
Images
1-William Pittenger
2-"A pull—a jar—a clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey."
3-"Down I went into the cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."
4-The Medal
CHAPTER I.
Sad Retrospective—Object of the Book—Military Situation
in the Southwest—Disaster and Energy of the Rebels—Necessity
for a Secret Expedition—A Proposition to
Buell and Mitchel—An Attempt and Failure—Return of
Adventurers—Second Expedition—Writer Volunteers—Andrews,
the Leader—Parting from the Regiment—On
the Way—Perplexities—The Writer Cur-tailed! 23-35
CHAPTER II.
Midnight Consultation—Plans Developed—Money Distributed—Compagnons
du Voyage—A Dismal Night—Sheltered
from the Storm—Southern Unionist—Arrested by
Federal Soldiers—Beyond the Lines—Panic Caused by
Negroes—Method of Avoiding Suspicion—Continuous
Rain—Behind Time—Hunting Human Beings with
Bloodhounds—The Cumberland Mountains—Rain again. 36-45
CHAPTER III.
Crossing the Mountains—Playing Hypocrite—Legend of
Battle Creek Valley—Lodged with a Secessionist—Strategy—A
Welcome but Fatal Delay—Exaggerated
Accounts of Shiloh—Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee—In
the Mountains again—Amusing Rebel Story—To
the River again—Perilous Crossing—Success—Chattanooga—On
the Cars—Night—Arrive at Marietta. 46-56
CHAPTER IV.
Take an Early Train—Prospecting—Capture of the Train—Panic
in Confederate Camp—Away at Lightning
Speed—Thrilling Experience—Cut the Telegraph—Tear
up the Track—Unexpected Obstacle—Running a Powder
Train to Beauregard—Red Flag—Dropping Cross-Ties—Battering
out Spikes—Immense Exertion of Strength—Pursuing
Backward—Terrible Chase—Attempt to Wreck
the Enemy's Train—Fearful Speed—Bold Plan. 57-67
CHAPTER V.
Consternation along the Route—Wood and Water—Attempt
to Fire the Train—Partial Failure—Message sent
to Chattanooga—Terrific Preparations—Abandon the
Train—A Capital Error—In the Woods—A Thrilling
Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "Southern Confederacy." 68-90
CHAPTER VI.
Stupendous "Man Hunt"—My Own Adventures—Playing
Acrobat—Perilous Crossing of a River—Hunger—The
Bloodhounds—Flying for Life—No Sun or Star to Guide
me—Traveling in a Circle—Nearing Chattanooga—Lost
in Deadened Timber—Glimpse of the Moon—Fatigue
produces Phantoms—Dreadful Storm—I Sleep and enter
Fairy Land—Glorious Visions—Reality—A Picket—Romance
Faded—Horrible Situation—Day Dawn—No Relief. 91-105
CHAPTER VII.
Sabbath—Continuous Rain—Press Onward—Observed—Arrested—Curious
Examination—Equivocating for Life—Plans
Foiled by Unexpected News—Plundered—Jail—Terrible
Reflections—New and Hopeful Resolve—Unwelcome
Visitors—Vigilance Committee Disappointed—Ordered
to Chattanooga—A Mob—Chained to the
Carriage—Escort—The Journey—Musings—Arrival—Another
Mob—Benevolent Gentleman(?)—General
Leadbetter—Andrews. 106-126
CHAPTER VIII.
Negro Prison—Swims, the Jailor—Horrible Dungeon—Black
Hole of Calcutta—Suffocation—Union Prisoners—Slave
Catching—Our Party Reunited—Breakfast Lowered
by Rope—Hunger—Counseling—Fiendish Barbarity—Chained
in the Dungeon—Andrews tried as a Spy
and Traitor—Sweet, but Stolen News—Removed from
Dungeon—Pure Air and Sunlight—Attacked by a Mob—"A
Friend"—Madison—Daring Adventure and Narrow
Escape. 127-147
CHAPTER IX.
Return to Chattanooga—Caution of Rebels—Unchain Ourselves—Mock
Trials—The Judge—Singing—One Kindness—Projected
Escape—Loitering Comrades—A Gleam
of Hope—Sad Parting—Knoxville—Prison Inmates—Brownlow—Awful
Cruelty—Andrews Condemned to
Death—Escapes with Wollam—Fearful Perils—Swimming
the River—Hiding on an Island—Found by Children—Yields
to His Fate—Horrible Death—Wollam's
Stratagem—On the River—Passes a Gun Boat—Final
Capture. 148-170
CHAPTER X.
Sorrow for Andrews—Prepare for Trial—Charges and
Specifications—Plan of Defence—Incidents of Trial—Encouragement—Not
.....
Images
1-William Pittenger
2-"A pull—a jar—a clang—and we were flying away on our perilous journey."
3-"Down I went into the cimmerian gloom—clambering step by step to a depth of fully thirteen feet."
4-The Medal
CHAPTER I.
Sad Retrospective—Object of the Book—Military Situation
in the Southwest—Disaster and Energy of the Rebels—Necessity
for a Secret Expedition—A Proposition to
Buell and Mitchel—An Attempt and Failure—Return of
Adventurers—Second Expedition—Writer Volunteers—Andrews,
the Leader—Parting from the Regiment—On
the Way—Perplexities—The Writer Cur-tailed! 23-35
CHAPTER II.
Midnight Consultation—Plans Developed—Money Distributed—Compagnons
du Voyage—A Dismal Night—Sheltered
from the Storm—Southern Unionist—Arrested by
Federal Soldiers—Beyond the Lines—Panic Caused by
Negroes—Method of Avoiding Suspicion—Continuous
Rain—Behind Time—Hunting Human Beings with
Bloodhounds—The Cumberland Mountains—Rain again. 36-45
CHAPTER III.
Crossing the Mountains—Playing Hypocrite—Legend of
Battle Creek Valley—Lodged with a Secessionist—Strategy—A
Welcome but Fatal Delay—Exaggerated
Accounts of Shiloh—Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee—In
the Mountains again—Amusing Rebel Story—To
the River again—Perilous Crossing—Success—Chattanooga—On
the Cars—Night—Arrive at Marietta. 46-56
CHAPTER IV.
Take an Early Train—Prospecting—Capture of the Train—Panic
in Confederate Camp—Away at Lightning
Speed—Thrilling Experience—Cut the Telegraph—Tear
up the Track—Unexpected Obstacle—Running a Powder
Train to Beauregard—Red Flag—Dropping Cross-Ties—Battering
out Spikes—Immense Exertion of Strength—Pursuing
Backward—Terrible Chase—Attempt to Wreck
the Enemy's Train—Fearful Speed—Bold Plan. 57-67
CHAPTER V.
Consternation along the Route—Wood and Water—Attempt
to Fire the Train—Partial Failure—Message sent
to Chattanooga—Terrific Preparations—Abandon the
Train—A Capital Error—In the Woods—A Thrilling
Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "Southern Confederacy." 68-90
CHAPTER VI.
Stupendous "Man Hunt"—My Own Adventures—Playing
Acrobat—Perilous Crossing of a River—Hunger—The
Bloodhounds—Flying for Life—No Sun or Star to Guide
me—Traveling in a Circle—Nearing Chattanooga—Lost
in Deadened Timber—Glimpse of the Moon—Fatigue
produces Phantoms—Dreadful Storm—I Sleep and enter
Fairy Land—Glorious Visions—Reality—A Picket—Romance
Faded—Horrible Situation—Day Dawn—No Relief. 91-105
CHAPTER VII.
Sabbath—Continuous Rain—Press Onward—Observed—Arrested—Curious
Examination—Equivocating for Life—Plans
Foiled by Unexpected News—Plundered—Jail—Terrible
Reflections—New and Hopeful Resolve—Unwelcome
Visitors—Vigilance Committee Disappointed—Ordered
to Chattanooga—A Mob—Chained to the
Carriage—Escort—The Journey—Musings—Arrival—Another
Mob—Benevolent Gentleman(?)—General
Leadbetter—Andrews. 106-126
CHAPTER VIII.
Negro Prison—Swims, the Jailor—Horrible Dungeon—Black
Hole of Calcutta—Suffocation—Union Prisoners—Slave
Catching—Our Party Reunited—Breakfast Lowered
by Rope—Hunger—Counseling—Fiendish Barbarity—Chained
in the Dungeon—Andrews tried as a Spy
and Traitor—Sweet, but Stolen News—Removed from
Dungeon—Pure Air and Sunlight—Attacked by a Mob—"A
Friend"—Madison—Daring Adventure and Narrow
Escape. 127-147
CHAPTER IX.
Return to Chattanooga—Caution of Rebels—Unchain Ourselves—Mock
Trials—The Judge—Singing—One Kindness—Projected
Escape—Loitering Comrades—A Gleam
of Hope—Sad Parting—Knoxville—Prison Inmates—Brownlow—Awful
Cruelty—Andrews Condemned to
Death—Escapes with Wollam—Fearful Perils—Swimming
the River—Hiding on an Island—Found by Children—Yields
to His Fate—Horrible Death—Wollam's
Stratagem—On the River—Passes a Gun Boat—Final
Capture. 148-170
CHAPTER X.
Sorrow for Andrews—Prepare for Trial—Charges and
Specifications—Plan of Defence—Incidents of Trial—Encouragement—Not
.....
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1863
32 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 20, 2011
A first-hand account of "The Great Locomotive Chase," or Andrews' Raiders, who stole the engine "General" in Kennesaw, Georgia in 1862. It is a quick, enjoyable read, focuing mainly on author William Pittenger's experiences as a prisoner of war in Chattanooga, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Richmond. My edition is part of the "Collector's Library of the Civil War," a copy of the original edition. Highly recommended for those interested in the Chase.
March 6, 2024
Read this book because the movie that is based on it was one of my childhood favorites, and it did not at all disappoint. It was honestly an incredible experience to hear the tale firsthand and to hear commentary on the civil war from someone who lived through it himself. Pittenger also has an incredible gift with words.
April 15, 2025
The great locomotive chase; a history of the Andrews railroad raid into Georgia in 1862. Friend mentioned this book to me back in February 17, so I was able to get it from UCLA library because I was not able to find it anywhere.
October 26, 2007
Daring and Suffering is the third edition of William Pittenger's account of the Great Locomotive Chase. The famous raid behind Confederate lines by Union spies from Ohio comes to life in this first-hand account in ponderous detail. After stealing a locomotive in civilian clothes, the soldiers attempted unsuccessfully to burn a bridge between Atlanta and Chattanooga as the train conductor and the railroad superintendent gave chase. The Confederates captured all of the raiders and hanged eight of them after a trial for spying. The story is exciting and Pittenger's research is thorough, including the accounts of several raiders after they escaped from Fulton County Prison and made their way back to Union lines. His prose is VERY TEDIOUS, so only dedicated readers will get through the whole book. This book is important because some raiders accused Pittenger of betraying some of their members upon his capture. Pittenger attempts to cover his tracks, but without very much success.
July 9, 2017
Well, I didn't love it. Maybe it is just because I was mislead by the title or maybe it had more to do with the writing style, but I just didn't really care for it. Fortunately it was a very quick and simple read.
Don't expect much about a railroad adventure. Expect a very short bit about a railroad adventure (if you can call it that) with the rest being about what it's was like is a Civil War Confederate Prison. Interesting for those really into the Civil War, but I don't think anyone else will really find anything all that special about it.
Don't expect much about a railroad adventure. Expect a very short bit about a railroad adventure (if you can call it that) with the rest being about what it's was like is a Civil War Confederate Prison. Interesting for those really into the Civil War, but I don't think anyone else will really find anything all that special about it.
October 19, 2014
A very good first hand account from one of the Northern soldiers involved in the "Great Locomotive Chase". The only fault I can find is that it does not go into as much detail as I would have liked with the actual stealing of the locomotive and the chase. What it does do is give a very good portrait of the time spent after the chase, their imprisonment, and release. It gives a good representation of the emotional ups-and-downs throughout the time in prison.
January 28, 2017
First person account of the Great Train Race in 1862. The author was a participant along with 21 otheres. The book was published in 1863 during the war and gave Notherners a look at the event and the subsequent actions taken by the Confederate government. Some were executed, some escaped and some were exchanged. Very interesting.
October 3, 2025
A classic account of one of the most unusual stories coming out of the Civil War
November 25, 2008
Interesting if you can get over the language. Great 19th century writers are a pleasure to read. Not-so-good 19th century writers, on the other hand...
March 14, 2015
An amazing true experience from the Civil War. Worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews