Knight Panorama--William J. Knight uncouples passenger cars at Big Shanty   Save
Ohio History Connection Museum Collections
Description: Section of a panorama painted by Albert Ruger in the 1880's depicting an event known as the "Great Locomotive Chase" or "Andrews' Raid." In 1862, Secret Service Agent James J. Andrews led volunteer Union soldiers, mostly Ohioans, on a mission to steal a Confederate locomotive and drive from the south to the north, destroying the rail lines along the way. The mission failed shortly after it was begun and several of the captured men were hung while others were later exchanged and some escaped. This scene depicts William J. Knight uncoupling passenger cars at Big Shanty. William J. Knight was a private in the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company E, who participated in the raid. Knight escaped and in 1878 he began touring and giving lectures describing the raid. Ruger's panorama accompanied him for more than eighteen years. The panorama is now part of the museum collections of the Ohio Historical Society. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02941
Subjects: Chattanooga Railroad Expedition, 1862; Ohio--History, Military--19th century; Andrews' Raid, 1862; Ruger, A.; Andrews, James J.
Places: Ohio History Connection Museum Collections