Private John Alfred Wilson (USA)

http://www.andrewsraid.com/jwilson.html

Participated in the Great Locomotive Chase, or Andrews' Raid, a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862 in northern Georgia during the American Civil War.

After abandoning THE GENERAL, Wilson and fellow raider Mark Wood were captured just 7 miles from the Federal lines at Stevenson, AL. They later escaped and floated down the Chattahoochee River to the Gulf where they were rescued by a ship of the Federal blockade. In post-war years, Alfred Wilson wrote "Adventures of Alf Wilson - A Thrilling Episode of the Dark Days of the Rebellion". In the 1950s Disney Studios released the movie "The Great Locomotive Chase" to herald the exploits of Andrews Raiders.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private John Alfred Wilson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on April, 1862, while serving with Company G, 21st Ohio Infantry, in action during the Andrew's Raid in Georgia. Private Wilson was one of the 19 of 22 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, and attempted to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.

General Orders: Date of Issue: September 1863

Action Date: April, 1862

Service: Army

Rank: Private

Company: Company C

Division: 21st Ohio Infantry