The Great Locomotive Chase: First Medals of Honor | US Train History | Extra History

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Join us on an adrenaline-fueled journey through one of the most daring and audacious acts of sabotage in Civil War history as you step aboard a hijacked Confederate train. The General, as Union spy James J. Andrews and his strike team will embark on a perilous mission to cripple enemy infrastructure and turn the tide of war as conductor William A. Fuller races against time to reclaim his beloved engine.
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Artist: Ali R Thome I Writer: Robert Rath I Voice: Matthew Krol I Video Editor: Devon House Creative I Audio Editor: Clean Waves I Studio Director: Geoffry Zatkin I Social Media: Kat Rider I ♪ Music by Demetori: bit.ly/1EQA5N7 I ♪ "Extra History Theme" by Sean & Dean Kiner
#ExtraHistory #CivilWar #History

[@extrahistory]

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[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Thanks For this Guys! You're the Best ❤❤❤❤❤

[@also_arles]

The sprinting to railcar to train pipeline was insane 😭 I got a laugh out of it! Never mess with someone who doesn't skip leg day!

[@MaximusHeng]

Excuse me, is this an error or something? Your video has been uploaded an hour ago, but it says that your video is uploaded a day ago.

[@davidtceultra2556]

I actually own a model of the General

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

How he ran was amazing! You guys always make Me laugh! Never skip leg day🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheJacobG]

You have to respect Fuller's determination. Come hell or high water, he was going to get that train.

[@ecurewitz]

He got it

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

[@yuvalgabay1023]

running one 100% spite

[@Old_Glory]

Y'know if someone stole your beloved locomotive you'd be mad too

[@natheriver8910]

True😅😅😅

[@Del_S]

Oh, they steal a train, they get the medal. I steal a train, I get five stars.

[@jcl4370]

join the military then try it

[@charlieinthe_box]

Five Starz? Congratulations, super general!

[@DragoSonicMile]

My dumb brain thought "five stars" meant a one-tribute Monster card.

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

[@93MANIAC]

To be honest they did also get five stars

[@snazzyyeti5469]

I laughed out loud seeing Fuller chase the train.

[@dinoz2113]

Yea me too 😂😂😂

[@sharkside8]

MAN. That dude was devoted to his train

[@nulolove]

“FLINT LOCKWOOOOD!”

[@flyingace1234]

That was full on Loony Tunes.

[@IceAokiji303]

I didn't initially. Then he got the handcar.

[@sptownsend999]

The Buster Keaton movie is also really impressive because a lot of those stunts are real. That movie also contains the most expensive shot in film history: when a bridge collapses with a train driving overtop, they actually destroyed a steam locomotive to get the most realistic "trainwreck". The dedication!!

[@smalltime0]

It'd probably be the most expensive scene shot in silent film history - but not history overall. That'd either be The Battle of the Borodino in "War and Peace" or Ney's cavalry charge in "Waterloo".

[@Toonrick12]

How Expensive you might ask? $42,000. In 2024 dollars, that $741,126.78. I doubt any film make today would physically destroy something worth 3/4th of a million dollars for just one scene.The film itself had a beefy budget at $750,000. Granted, that's not huge by today's standards (With inflation it's in the $14 Million range) but still, a lot of money was put into it.

[@wingracer1614]

@@Toonrick12 It's estimated that Speed 2 spent about 25 million to partially build a cruise ship and then destroy it. Movies can be stupid expensive.

[@tarzina]

it was shot in oregon and the small town by where they were filming came out to see it, they had a dummy in the drivers seat , and when it went down some of the people freaked out. also there was a forest fire that all the people filming stopped and put out the fire! PBS did a documentary on it.

[@Kaebuki]

Huh, sorta like the precursor to Tom Cruise’s steam train destruction.

[@jesenjin8467]

Okay, this one could have been a comedy thanks to that tenacious train conducter! The ending was somber though.

[@thomashambly3718]

A very good comedy was made based on this, its called "The General" by Buster Keaton, one of his best films. I would highly recommend a watch, its on youtube, one version even has the original Piano Score

[@justkev6277]

Love the image of Fuller chasing the train and getting upgrades! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ChrisKetcherside]

Where did he even get them from?

[@vietnamesesmerf508]

@@ChrisKetchersideout of his inventory

[@Toonrick12]

To put in perspective of how important Buster Keaton's "The General" is, it was one of THE first movies selected to be added to the National Film Registry, right next to Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, and A New Hope (Star Wars IV).

[@MD0Hatter]

Yea, that puts it into perspective of being the only one on that list I haven't seen and after this video I'll have to change that.

[@STho205]

One of the few times Walt Disney made the more accurate film, but BKs movie was a great romp.

[@reaperking2121]

Funniest thing is that this isn’t even a single time occurrence in Us history . US Seabees also managed to steal a train from behind North Korean lines during the Korean Wat

[@NJFireDepartment]

Stole the train and some booze, plus they repaired the sabotaged tracks.

[@05Matz]

So you're saying that the USA produces the world's finest train robbers? ...I suppose that tracks.

[@Game_Hero]

@@05Matz bud dum tss

[@sirboomsalot4902]

I believe MacArthur got his first Medal of Honor stealing a train in Veracruz as well

[@shaunonlyplaysyt9879]

‘It’s those damn Seabees again!’ - unnamed US general in Korea

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

If you don't allow the train to stop and eat breakfast it will eventually become enraged and start attacking the townspeople out of Hanger. Always feed your locomotive.

[@Soundwave3591]

not too far from what actually happened: as they were constantly being chased, the General eventually ran out of fuel as the Union raiders couldn't stop to resupply.

[@matthewmerchant2038]

William "Not On My Watch" Fuller

[@spindash64]

GTA Star system

[@krzysztofdabrowski9399]

I'm sorry, I kinda cheer for Fuller. I know that confederacy=bad, but he was a man of focus, commitment and sheer effin' will. Gotta admire that.

[@STho205]

Question: do Gen Washington and the patriot rebellion equal bad or good in the binary logic?

[@HipHop-op3hq]

The ultimate cop: Fuller. Run until you get an upgrade 😂😂

[@Ran_out_of_ideas]

Fuller has that indomitable human spirit in him

[@maxfieldjoyner5244]

The parody of the Inglorious Basterds speech got me. Flawless

[@emmanuelrosas1434]

"I say, I say, I-Isay, I say, I say, I say BOY! I think our train's been stolen!" -William Fuller, probably... *hiccup*

[@EngieTheRiolu]

Can we take a second to appreciate the fact that they uploaded this on National Train Day?

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Fuller chasing the train was hilarious 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@frantasramota1359]

4:27 Never ever steal the train, because the conductor will find you.

[@jonathanbriggs7057]

I live right by where all this took place. Every year we even have a locomotive chase festival.

[@kadenrobinson7067]

The fact that the General and the Texas is still around today is unbelievable

[@kadenrobinson7067]

Here's some more info about the general The locomotive was restored in the 1960s for the anniversary of the great locomotive chase footage of it can be found on KZbin

[@MilkUnderTheDam]

@@kadenrobinson7067- My family was there for that in person. I still remember stories about it.

[@GrantGraff]

If anyone wanted to learn more about the event and see the actual General, I would highly recommend the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotives in Kennesaw, Georgia. Built on the actual site of the robbery, the museum has everything from the medals of honer given, to a model of the robbery. It's likely one of the best museums in Georgia.

[@WulfieZi]

Look at Fuller, becoming the first superconductor back in 1862. It would take the rest of the world another 50 years to rediscover this tech.

[@Windona]

That sounded like a chase sequences out of a cartoon. Or perhaps that chase sequence inspired cartoon ones.

[@nulolove]

Fuller is the original officer Earl I can imagine him running after the train screaming “FLINT LOCKWOOOOOD!”

[@carloshenriquezimmer7543]

This or "LEROOYYYJENKINSS"

[@lukeparham3295]

I lived in Kennesaw for a while. The Southern Museum there has the General locomotive. It’s really cool!

[@the-Albino-Rhino]

Yup. Same here. Would highly recommend.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I saw a movie about this train heist. One that Disney made in the 60's. It was an awesome watch for me when I was a kid. I still have fond memories of watching this movie.

[@Railhog2102]

1950s actually late in the decade, One of the locomotives used was B&O no 25 which has a name William Mason and it was used to be fired up at the B&O museum until it's boiler flues expired

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@Railhog2102---Oh really. Didn't know that.

[@Railhog2102]

@brokenbridge6316 Yup and it also ran with St Elizabeth no 4 a 0-4-0 saddle tank that was built in the 50s

[@the-Albino-Rhino]

There's also a great Disney adaptation that punches WAAAAAAAYYY above its weight

[@Railhog2102]

One of the locomotives used was B&O no 25 aka the William Mason, It's now on display at the B&O museum and was used to be fired up for events at the museum grounds and also was in the Will Smith movie Wild Wild West

[@edwardcarlisle5580]

As an expert of the Great Locomotive Chase, I can say that a lot of details were missed, but, for the sake of time, this was a well done history short about the event. I will say though, that while Parrot was the first man to have the Medal of Honor pinned on him, all seven of the Raiders were the first to receive the medal. Secretary of State Stanton said "Your party shall be the first to receive it." Meaning, that they were all the first, together. Stanton did not say "You are the first." Obviously, someone had to be pinned first because Stanton only had two hands, but the seven Union Raiders were all the first to receive the Medal of Honor together.

[@Player-px1jq]

"because Fuller had upgraded again" is it just me or is there an idle game in this story? 🤣

[@charliefarmer4365]

Am I the only person who thinks the entire heist feels very Looney Tunes?

[@claireotoole2934]

The Buster Keaton version is as full on Looney Tunes as you can get without being animated.

[@1987AnimeBoy]

Maybe because how this short depicted the chase.

[@madisons2117]

I am convinced that Fuller played a much larger part in the punishments. He probably made it to the court faster than the cart that hauled the train snatchers in.

[@lupusetmatrem7078]

Mad respect to fuller for never giving up

[@karatejoe6332]

This is actually one of my favorite music compositions, I’ve been waiting years for this video

[@TheBlackSheepsBlackSheep]

Had i been a member of the crew... i would've given my medal to Fuller. Talk about doing your job boy ol boy lol

[@smintner]

The last two just got the Medal of Honor

[@jethrosiahaan]

i loved that tarantino reference!

[@joshbreck3489]

Great story! I loved it. Note (Not trying to be annoying): The raiders only gave up when the General ran out of water because they never had time to refuel their engine.

[@poetik7310]

Fuller is just some kind of a cartoonish villain.

[@adampeirce5764]

I'm so glad you finally decided to cover this story, it's one of my favorite historical stories ever!

[@masonwoodard3400]

As someone from Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) that grew up listening to this story- it’s nice hearing a telling of it without a Confederate bias from one of my favorite channels!

[@LostSoulz417]

Just watched "The General" And boy was I surprised at how well it holds up, 97 y/o and still going strong. Definitely gonna watch it again on 5 feb 2027 for the 100 year anniversary

[@amyreynolds3619]

I was one of the volunteer who help restored the Texas which is a 4-4-0. The locomotive can't run again due to the boiler is not safe to run.

[@fellipepessoa1685]

That train chase is the most looney toons thing possible lmao I want to see a full animated movie about this

[@johnaucamp7106]

Yeah, I know. Fuller was an enemy but they should have awarded him a medal too.

[@stvdagger8074]

In 1950, the state of Georgia commissioned a special gold medal in honor of Fuller's work during the Great Locomotive Chase. It was presented to his son, William Alford Fuller

[@up3982trainmaster_challenger]

At 4:51 Fuller DID NOT have a handcar but he actually had a pull car. A pull car is like a flatbed but only two axles and you would use a pull(made of wood) to push the car. They are lighter than a handcar too. Also at 6:11 the raiders ran out of wood and water. They didn’t see smoke from other locomotives.

[@MilkUnderTheDam]

Very true! Not many people know that detail. This story is part of my family history so I kind of feel out when it gets mentioned in public.

[@ThePianistDragon]

I used to watch the Disney depiction of this event on DVD when I was kid. Had no idea what was going on, but it had trains in it so…

[@CCJJ160Channels]

4:31 - “Oooooohhh, there’s no stopping the Batman!”

[@maddmaddox1648]

In my town theres a memorial to where the chase ended. Ive even pointed tourists from as far away as england to view it. I pass by it every day on the way to work. Its in Ringgold Ga

[@Jager_and_his_88_Mafia]

The skit from the bastards was amazing I love the way you played it out

[@LexiLunarpaw]

Yay! Its Time for the Greatest Show is Back!

[@fuwa7860]

You guys should do a 5-6 episode serious on the invasion of Afghanistan. From the 1977 coup to the withdrawal of Soviet soldiers in 1989.

[@ikebeckman1074]

2:25 nice basterds reference lmao

[@haingo36]

Even Matt's casual southern accent is till better than Hollywood actors these days :D

[@LCCWPresents]

I love this and it should be made into a hilarious Quentin Tarantino comedy as his last film.

[@keegandecker4080]

The president absolutely watches this show because the two civvies just got their medal

[@93MANIAC]

This really needs to be a mission in the next Red Dead Redemption sequel

[@timesnewlogan2032]

Oh my gosh, this was one of my favorite stories growing up!

[@megnerd8954]

I LOVED playing this song in band!

[@Ladyjuliet-uv5qt]

i hope we get a series on medal of honor recipients

[@Railhog2102]

@@Ladyjuliet-uv5qt Netflix did one and was quite good

[@aphill.5611]

5:00 So THAT’S where the trope came from

[@Spencer481]

I watched the Buster Keaton movie "The General" dozens of times when I was a kid, it's a banger, I didn't realize it was so accurate

[@LoralCrowned]

You got my thumbs up at the ”Sabotage!” 😂

[@Stormynormy42]

The museum that The General is in is in Kennesaw, GA. Pretty cool place, highly recommend if you're ever in the area, went there quite a few times growing up and have taken a few friends there over the years as an adult. There's also a Klan museum around the corner, which I find to be historically important if not the most "professionally" done, and would recommend discretion on whether to go or not, as some of the stuff there can be quite jarring for anyone not prepared for the things there or the people you're likely to interact with while there.

[@Seltyk]

I've been waiting for an episode about this!

[@jmkbartsch]

Just purchased Nebula Lifetime. Great way to support my favorite creators.

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Fun fact: back in the 1960s, the General locomotive was actually fired up to pull some excursion trains during the 100th anniversary of the Great Locomotive Chase

[@yousifnash5378]

I don't think I laughed louder at a extra history video than this one.

[@Douglas-not-Dougie]

Combine this with high irons version of this for the best & most accurate version of this

[@analoren4745]

Would love to see a huge multi-part series on the US Civil War from y'all.

[@andrewklang809]

"You, all twenty of you, each owe me one hundred Confederate locomotives." "Sir, I'm pretty sure the South doesn't have that many." "Then this isn't going to work out very well for us."

[@legohistorysam]

OK, you gotta make a video on the next train heist but this was very successful! The fighting sea bees stole a train in the Korean War and took it back to South Korea. It’s an amazing story. I would love for you guys to make a video on it!

[@Joebama-df9ve]

Omg I love the Tarantino refrence

[@philipsullivan4885]

Awesome! I'd forgotten about the film so thanks for the content. Also sooo excited for Hypatia!

[@AfaqueAhmed_]

Never mess with a conductor's train .

[@TheKitsuneCavalier]

As I learned about the details of the chase, I was going to say, "NO WONDER BUSTER KEATON MADE A MOVIE OUT OF THIS! He hardly had to change a thing!!!" 😂

[@marknystrom1984]

You know, Fuller Chasing the train reminds me of another KZbin channel i watch, called "history in the dark". He has a running gag of the railway president Alfred e Pearlman, Who was the president of new york central railroad (and the man responsible for there being a lack of preserved steam locomotives from that railroad), Anytime he shows up in a video, The first thing on his mind is Destroying any steam engine He can get his hands on, often screaming "I WANT THAT STEAM ENGINE!!" Of course unlike pearlman, Fuller is trying to save it steam engine, It's not tear it apart with a chain Saw.

[@eskewroberts7663]

They took his train And Fuller took that personally

[@The-Man-Of-Mystery]

I Like trains

[@dsargus3]

*suddenly an ASDF movie drawn train appears, driving over @the-man-of-mystery*

[@ntfoperative9432]

I am glad we did eventually make a Civilian version of the Medal of Honor, the Medal of Freedom

[@ECTON_OWO]

Samuel slavens was one of the medal of Honor recipients and my uncle

[@MaximusHeng]

I must ask, do you list down all the sources and citations every time you do a standalone history video like this? For series like Fredrick the Great and Ned Kelly, you did put a "Recommended Reading" section in your lies video. Is this where you cite the sources of your information? Note: I am asking all of this because I just wanted to know where you cite the sources.

[@rj.trains]

Early on in the war Abraham Lincoln said that capturing Chattanooga was more important than Richmond. With Chattanooga they’d control all of the south’s rail lines, and thus destroying their supply chains. Further puts into perspective how daring and important the mission was

[@yuvalgabay1023]

that one train coundactor was running on pure spite. and i can respect it

[@A_person473]

Finally! Someone else other than High Iron is doing this

[@HDub16]

Smoothest ad read transition ever

[@ChristianDall-p2j]

I scream, you scream we all scream icecream!

[@ShanRenxin]

🎶So c'mon, c'mon, steal a locomotive with me!🎶 🎶C'mon baby, steal a locomotive🎶

[@adiscerningdunmer9311]

'Listen all a'yall, it's a sabotage!' I was NOT expecting a nostalgia slap in the face like that today.

[@chequereturned]

Screw Fuller as a Confederate, but damn have to admit that’s impressive.

[@daniel_sannguyen]

What a coincidence, I’m in Resaca preparing for our annual Civil War reenactment here, and will soon be heading home to Atlanta along the exact route 😂

[@DevinBrooking]

7:05 i can make out the borders of Orange Virginia where i live perfectly thats because the Rapidan River is our northern border and was a decent defensive position during the war as you can clearly see bc it was significant enough to make it on this map If yall are at all interested look up the video "A Brief History of Orange County, VA" The channel is History-to-go, its run by the Orange County Historical Society, its a good video

[@edwardcarlisle5580]

As for the movies, The General by Buster Keaton is a great piece of entertainment, but The Great Locomotive Chase by Walt Disney is a much better film. It incredibly shows the events before, during, and after the chase almost 100% accurately, with only a few small liberties. It's an underrated gem of motion picture production.

[@PopcornNSodaProductions]

That sabotage opening caught me off guard

[@A-oq8ne]

Finally you did this story!

[@Rudnaz_127]

William Fuller was "never gonna give that train up."

[@Googledoespresso]

Thank you for being such a fun channel to watch! Recommended to my boyfriend and he’s been binging the channel for the last couple days and we’re bonding over our shared love for you guys!

[@Richforce1]

Shohola train wreck would be another great story about trains in this period. 833 confederate prisoners of war were being brought to by train to a new POW camp but because of a head-on collision with a coal carrying line 44 of them, along with 17 guards and 4 railway staff, would never make it there alive.

[@FunnyGuy2011]

This story is like something out of a western

[@theoutlook55]

Solid video. Solid story.