Union Army officer James J. Andrews ordered to isolate Chattanooga, Tenn. by destroying telegraph lines and burning bridges south of town. Volunteers from Ohio Infantry made their way incognito to Marietta, Ga. where they commandeered a train. They discovered that bridges soaked by recent rains wouldn't burn easily. They cut telegraph lines and threw obstacles on tracks until engine ran out of fuel south of Chattanooga. All men were captured. Leader Andrews, and seven others were executed as spies. Dorsey and eight other men escaped. During 1880s, he lectured widely in north about episode. William Pittenger, who was also a member of the expedition, published "Capturing a Locomotive" (1905). The collection contains Dorsey's copy of this book with his annotations.
From the description of Daniel A. Dorsey collection of Civil War memorabilia and scrapbook, 1862; 1881-1909. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35304858
