At the time, Lincoln was not aware of the details, many of which did not surface until much later. Historians of the Civil War continue to uncover new data not published in the 19th C.
Hey look! A train!
Holy smoke, she’s right! 'Scuse me while I go have a look!
https://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/pdf/Medal_of_Honor_Narratives_Andrews_Raiders.pdf
http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1196&context=amj
Ironic that the locomotive we know today as “The General” isn’t the same locomotive Andrew’s Raiders would recognize. The General underwent a major rebuild a few years after the war, and its current condition represents that rebuild, her earlier incarnation had two steam domes and side rails over her drivers, more typical of an 1850’s locomotive. …and she was 5’ gauge IIRC. 
Certainly true, when the L&N’s shopmen restored the “General” back in the 60’s they essentially took a “SWAG” as to what it should look like.
No matter, they did one hell of a job just the same. I’d love to see it out for a romp on the main line again, it was operable when it was put away in 1964, but there’s little likelyhood of that happening. Too bad.
Yeah, 2012 would have been the year to do it. Oh well. Maybe 2062?
I think the photo shown by V.Smith is of a model of the General. I was fortunate enough to have participated as a docent, when the General and Jim Crow Coach 665 were on display in Memphis, Tn. While it was touring the country, prior to it going to the NY Worlds Fair(?). We were given a ride, as ‘thanks’ for our volunteering in the Combine#665 (and its dispaly) from Memphis Central Sgtation arounbd the City, uitilizing the L&N passenger bypass route to Leawood Yard, and then back to Central Station using the IC east bypass route.[ The trip was highlighed by having to make an emergency brake reduction in the area of the old Poplar Station, to avoid a head on with the SW switcher that was making up the Royal American Shows train, and had pulled out onto the NB IC main at that location.] The folks at L&N Louisvile shops installation of the new air brakes proved their effectiveness, and worth! P.S. Even thiough
After reading here about all of its re-buildings, it seems to me that the General is like a wonderful old knife that’s had both its handle and blade replaced.
Question: Which would you consider to be the more original or authentic to the way it was built: the General or the William Mason?
Could the General Work? Sure after a Inspection and Rebuild that will cost Hundreds of Thousands of Dollers.-
BTW-
The Union lost the Civil War as far as railroads go when Chessie System-Atlantic Coast Line and Norfolk Southern bought up Conrail. Each one is treating there workers like serfs on a plaintation from there Manors in Jacksonville and Norfolk VA. Also most of the Army bases are down south along with many of the personal hail from southern states.
Probably neither. The “William Mason” has bee rebuilt several times, I recall reading the boiler was replaced by B&O shopmen in 1927 to make it operable for the B&O’s “Fair Of The Iron Horse.”
As far as the “knife and blade” analogy, I think the best rule to apply is the Lloyd’s of London rule. As far as they’re concerned a ship, let’s say the “Suzy-Q,” is always the “Suzy-Q” no matter how much of it’s replaced over the years.
So, the “General” is still the “General” and the “William Mason” is still the “William Mason.”
Per Penny Trains idea of running the “General” in 2062, maybe that’s not so farfetched. The Civil War Sesquecentennial was a bust compared to the Centennial in 1962, trust me, I remember the same. Maybe the Civil War Bicentannial will be a lot more fun. Won’t matter to me, I won’t be here.
Now that I think about it, the Revolutionary War Sesquecentennial in the 1920’s was supposedly a bust as well. Mabe we shouldn’t bother with “sesqui’s.”
Firelock Quote"-“As far as the “knife and blade” analogy, I think the best rule to apply is the Lloyd’s of London rule. As far as they’re concerned a ship, let’s say the “Suzy-Q,” is always the “Suzy-Q” no matter how much of it’s replaced over the years.” Yes most of my cells in the human body are replaced every 7 years so i am not sure if I am me anymore. Which me am I?
Sesqui’s are done for the benefit of those born in years where a centennial celebration is likely not a reality, and that is a lot of people.
Perhaps the name sesquicentennial needs to be remarked, rebranded.
Canada sesquicentennial is on this year and it also is a bust.
A mid-century hoopla is a good idea but the name sesquicennial seems to be a dud.
Too bad Canada’s Sesquicentennial’s turned out to be a bust.
Now on the other hand, Lady Firestorm and I were in Newfoundland in 1997 for the “Cabot 500” celebrations. That was a lot of fun, and we got to see and board that superb replica of Cabot’s ship, the “Matthew.”
However, it’s a certainty we won’t be back for “Cabot 1000.”
PS: Considering the size of that ship I’d have to say Cabot and his crew were nuts! I’d think twice about crossing the Hudson River in that thing!
Something about men of steel and wooden boats?
“Wooden ships and iron men.” Certainly true.
And of course, if you’re an explorer you have to go with what’s available. Columbus, Cabot, Verrazano and the others had the best of the technology of the time, even if we think nowadays they must have been out of their minds. You don’t miss what you’ve never had.
Hey, my brother’s an Air Force veteran (USAF Academy, '88) and he thinks the pioneer aviators like Lindbergh, Admiral Byrd, Alcock and Brown, and Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes were crazy as well! Well, Howard, maybe…
Who knows what future generations will think of our space program from the 1960’s?
I should add that replica of the “Matthew” did have modern features like a diesel engine, radio, modern navigational equipment, modern lifesaving gear, et al. Not 100% authentic, but without all the aformentioned gear they’d never have gotten the vessel insured, which meant it wouldn’t sail. Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed a transatlantic trip on the replica. Couldn’t have been much worse than that transatlantic trip I made on a Navy LST, that damn thing didn’t stop rocking, rolling, and corkscrewing for two weeks!
Ya know, I went looking for something concerning “Cabot 500,” didn’t have any luck but I did find this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1QSZ_iexoY
Pretty cool, isn’t it? That’s Newfoundland.
That sea, that coastline. I wonder what John Cabot thought when he saw it for the first time?
Actually, I should point out with a certain amount of ethnic pride the man’s real name was Giovanni Caboto, when he moved to England he changed his name for business reasons, kind of like Columbus did when he moved to Spain.
Found the “Matthew.”
So Trains Magazine 80th anniversary bash will not be as big as the 75th?
I want that bus for my field trips!
Count 12 GG1’s …seen that painting a hundred times and it never fails to hold your attention…magnificient and stunning. How can you folks possibly go on without the Pennsy? I mean …come on!