The Chase, the Medal, and the Movie

n April of 1862, a Union officer proposed a daring plan to steal a Confederate train near Atlanta and, with a certain group of secret raiders, drive it to Chattanooga—destroying telegraph wires and bridges along the way. A Union military force would, in conjunction, attack and capture Chattanooga, the gateway to the deep South. The raid became the stuff of legend and did receive national attention with the first awards of the Medal of Honor. It also became the subject of books and movies, one of which became a classic comedic success entitled The General. The title was named for the stolen train engine (all ante-bellum train engines had names). The silent film was the vehicle, so to speak, for the athletic comic actor Buster Keaton to show off his many talents. We are going to enjoy this film on Thursday night, part of our Clash in the Clouds Tour next week, along with the National Medal of Honor Center, a trip down the Tennessee River on the Southern Belle paddle wheeler, a train ride across Missionary Ridge, a trip through the tunnel the General ran through, and outstanding Battlefield Tours at Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga.

There’s still a few seats left, so pack a bag and jump in!

P.S. We even have a hotel room stashed away if you need it!