STATEHOUSE NEWS

Honoring Andrews Raiders 150 Years After the Most Daring Military Raid in History
These Ohioans Became the First Medal of Honor Recipients
April 5, 2012
 

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and the Ohio National Guard have partnered to present a free public program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s “Great Locomotive Chase” and the Andrews Raiders. The program will take place on Thursday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Program participants include Cpl. Ron Rosser, one of only two living Ohio Medal of Honor recipients who was awarded the distinction for his actions during the Korean War, and Major General Deborah Ashenhurst, Ohio’s Adjutant General. The ceremony will honor the 19 Ohio soldiers and two civilians who volunteered for the most daring raid in military history. The program takes place 150 years to the day after the event took place during the Civil War. For their courage, these Ohioans became the first recipients of the Medal of Honor. The ceremony will conclude with a three-round cannon firing on the West Plaza (High Street side) of the Ohio Statehouse. The Civil War-era cannon will fire the three rounds between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m.

The ceremony will be Web streamed live on the Internet at www.ohiochannel.org for classrooms across the state. Ohio students of all ages, teachers and administrators are invited to participate in this virtual program by watching the event during a live Web stream. During the program, students will learn about the Andrews Raiders and the historical importance of the event during the Civil War. Educators are encouraged to use this moment to help students learn about the history of the Civil War and its connection to Ohio. Viewing instructions are available at www.ohiostatehouse.org. This virtual educational program is presented in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Government Telecommunications.

The Andrews Raiders historic marker plaque and Medal of Honor belonging to former US Army soldier Ron Rosser for his actions during the Korean War will be on public view throughout the day in the South Light Court.

About the Andrews Raiders
On April 12, 1862 during the Civil War, James J. Andrews, a civilian scout for the Union Army, led a band of 20 enlisted men and one other civilian from various Ohio regiments deep into Confederate territory. There were two other enlisted men who started with the group but who did not get into Georgia with the remainder. Their plan was to board a train headed north out of Atlanta for Chattanooga, capture the train and continue steaming north, stopping frequently to cut telegraph lines and burn bridges, thereby disrupting Confederate lines of communication and aiding the Union Army's drive on Chattanooga.

Unfortunately, the plan went awry, and all the men were captured. Eight, including their civilian leader, were executed in June, 1862, in Atlanta. Eight more escaped from jail in Atlanta in October of that year. Then on March 17, 1863, nearly a year after their adventure began, the remaining six Raiders were exchanged via City Point, Virginia. When they arrived in Washington on March 25, 1863, Secretary Stanton sent word that he would like to see them. He was particularly impressed by Jacob Parrott, at age 19, the youngest of the group. Parrott calmly recited the major details of the raid, then related the story of the brutal beatings he had suffered at the hands of his captors. After listening to their hair-raising tale, Stanton praised Parrott's devotion to duty, then turning to an aide, selected a black morocco leather case. "Congress has by recent law, ordered medals to be prepared on this model and your party shall have the first; they are the first that have been given to private soldiers in this War, " he said as he pinned the medal to the left breast of Parrott's uniform. The remaining five men were also presented medals as of March 25, 1863.

Eventually 19 of these men were awarded the Medal of Honor. The official citation for their award is: "Nineteen of twenty-two men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into the enemy's territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta."

There have been few awards of the Medal of Honor that attracted so much attention over the years as those awarded to the Andrews Raiders.

To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is handicapped accessible and senior friendly. The Capitol Square complex was restored to allow for greater access by individuals living with disabilities. Ohio Statehouse public programs and events are held in accessible and barrier free areas of the building so that everyone can participate. Ohio Statehouse visitors needing disability-related accommodations in order to fully participate in an event may contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board at statehouse@csrab.state.oh.us or 614/752-9777 to communicate special needs. Please allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

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Calendar Listing:

Honoring Andrews Raiders
First Medal of Honor Winners
April 12, 2012; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
www.ohiostatehouse.org
614/752-9777
Free!

Honor and celebrate the heroism of the first Medal of Honor recipients during an education program. The program takes place 150 years to the day after the event took place during the Civil War. The event will be Web streamed Live at www.ohiochannel.org. For more information, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.