Both engines were, at the time, at the highest rate of speed.  Andrews at last broke off the end of his last box car and dropped crossties on the track as he ran.  Several times he almost lifted a rail, but each time the coming of the Confederates within rifle range compelled him to desist.

A participant in the feat, in his narrative of the affair, published in “Battles and Leaders of the Civil War,” by the Century Company, says: 

“Thus we sped on, mile after mile, in this fearful chase, around curves and past stations in seemingly endless perspective.  Whenever we lost sight of the enemy beyond a curve, we hoped that some of our obstructions had been effective in throwing him from the track, and that we would see him no more; but at each long reach backward the smoke was again seen, and the shrill whistle was like the scream of a bird of prey.  The time could not have been so very long, for the terrible speed was rapidly devouring the distance, but with our nerves strained to the highest tension, each minute seemed an hour.  On several occasions the escape of the enemy from wreck seemed little less than miraculous.  At one point a rail was placed across the track so skillfully on the curve, that it was not seen till the train ran upon it at full speed.  Fuller says that they were terribly jolted, and seemed to bounce altogether from the track, but lighted on the rail in safety.  Some of the Confederates wished to leave a train which was driven at such a reckless rate, but their wishes were not gratified.”

At last, when hope was well nigh exhausted, a final attempt was made.  Additional obstructions were thrown on the track, the side and end boards of the last car were torn into shreds, all available fuel was piled upon it, and blazing brands were brought back from the engine.  Reaching a long, covered bridge, the car, which was now fairly ablaze, was uncoupled; but before the bridge was fully on fire the pursuers came upon it, pushed right into the smoke, and ran the burning car before them to the next side track.  So this expedient also failed.  With no car left, no fuel—­every scrap of it having been thrown into the engine or upon the burning car—­and with no means of further obstructing the track, the pursued party were reduced to desperation, and as a last resource, when within eighteen miles of Chattanooga, abandoned the train and dispersed to the woods, each to save himself.

The good old locomotive, now feeble and useless, was left.  According to some accounts it was reversed, in order to cause a collision with the on-coming train, but according to others, the steam was exhausted, and the engine just stopped for want of power.  However this may have been, the hunters of the train become at once hunters of the train stealers, several of whom were captured the same day, and all but two within a week.  Two of those who had failed to connect with the party were also captured.  Being in citizen’s