FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Friday, August 11, 2017
Sheriff & Friends of Resaca Battlefield Unveil “Great Locomotive Chase” Display at Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Announces:
Sheriff Mitch Ralston and the Friends of Resaca Battlefield Inc. are proud to announce that a museum quality diorama of “The General” locomotive will be housed and displayed in the lobby of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office. Featuring a large, panoramic background of the local (Resaca area) countryside, the 16 foot-long display consists of a 1/16th scale model of the “General” locomotive, a wood tender car, a freight car, and scale model figures of the Andrews Raiders. Framed photographic and documentary exhibits surrounding the diorama depict the story of the “Great Locomotive Chase”, which occurred April 12, 1862. The 87 mile pursuit of the “General”, which was hijacked by Union raiders under the command of J.J. Andrews, passed through Gordon County by way of Calhoun and Resaca. The General was hotly pursued by Confederates aboard the “Texas”. The “Great Locomotive Chase” resulted in the award of the United States’ first Congressional Medals of Honor. The “Chase” was also the subject of a 1956 Disney feature film.
The display was a gift to the Friends of Resaca Battlefield Inc. by the Georgia Civil War Commission after the closure of the Nash Farm Museum. The Friends of Resaca Battlefield thanked Sheriff Ralston for “all of his efforts to promote local history for the enjoyment and education of the public”, as well as for “his efforts and success in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Gordon County“. Sheriff Ralston expressed special thanks to his wife, Nikki, mr. Ken Padgett, Mr. James Hyde, Mr. Steve Barfield, and ‘Padgett’s Glass’ for their help and participation in the completion of the project.
The public is welcome to visit and enjoy the display at the Sheriff’s Office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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