Description:

(‘GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE') WILLIAM J. KNIGHT
WILLIAM J. KNIGHT (1837-1916) Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. He received the award for his participation in the ‘Andrews Raid', an attempt by the Union Army to destroy railroad bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta. During the raid, he was captured by Confederate soldiers and imprisoned, but managed to escape back to the Union lines. Very rare A.L.S. in pencil, 1p. 8vo., Stryker, Nov. 21, 1906, to ‘W. D. Binkley' in part: ‘…I will enclose you a small Bill that they used at Hudson, Ind, that will give you an idea of my entertainment. And hoping everything will be satisfactory…' Fine. With the original transmittal cover. Volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, commandeered a train, 'The General', and took it northward toward Chattanooga doing as much damage as possible to the vital line as they went. They were pursued by Confederate forces at first on foot, and later on a succession of locomotives, including 'The Texas', for 87 miles. Because the Union men had cut the telegraph wires, the Confederates could not send warnings ahead to forces along the railway. Confederates eventually captured the raiders and quickly executed some as spies, including Andrews; some others were able to flee.

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May 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000