Moon's Station

Before reaching Moon's Station, the Raiders stopped to cut the telegraph wire and obstruct the track. There was no telegraph office at Big Shanty – one of the reasons Andrews chose that station to steal the train – but the Raiders still felt safer having cut the line. However, they found that breaking the wire was not easy. John Scott, agile as a cat, had to climb the pole, break the insulators so the wire was loose, then swing down on it. Using a small hacksaw found on the engine, the wire was cut.

Andrews showed more excitement at this point than he had the previous several days. He felt they now had the advantage and that no one could harm them. "When we've passed one more train," he declared, "the coast will be clear for burning bridges and running through to Chattanooga and around. For once boys, we've got the upper hand of the Rebels."

At Moon's Station, about two and a half miles into the Chase, the Raiders found a track crew at work, and Brown obtained a crow bar from one of the track hands. This was the only tool with which to pry up spikes and obstruct track.

Western & Atlantic RR and Allatoona Pass, Ga., 1864.

As they went on, Andrews instructed his engineer not to run too fast, but to hold to the schedule. In this way the train would not attract undue attention. Also, when they met anticipated southbound trains, they would be able to take the proper sidings to allow passage and avoid head-on collisions. The Raiders had attached a red flag to the last car to indicate that another train was following the General. Andrews, of course, used this ruse hoping to confuse unsuspecting trainmen as to why the General was on the schedule of the morning mail and express train; the red flag might also help dispel any suspicions about the unusual make-up of his train – a locomotive, tender, and just three box cars.

After passing through stations at Acworth and Allatoona, the Raiders stopped again to cut the telegraph wire and to pry up a rail. While they felt sure no train was in pursuit, they wanted to be positive none could get by. Lifting the rail proved a difficult and time-consuming project without the necessary tools. After considerable effort they got the rail up and loaded it aboard one of the cars, thus leaving a considerable hindrance to a pursuing train.

View of Kennesaw Mountain from Allatoona Heights. House in the foreground still stands.