Biden honors Union soldiers for hijacking Confederate train

President Joe Biden posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to two Union soldiers, Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson, who stole a locomotive in Confederate territory during the Civil War. The soldiers drove the train north for 87 miles, destroying railroad tracks and telegraph lines. Despite being captured and executed by Confederates, Biden recognized their courage 162 years later with the country's highest military decoration. The legacy of the Civil War, which claimed over 600,000 Union and Confederate lives between 1861 and 1865, remains relevant in today's politics. The Medal of Honor ceremony comes amidst a contentious election year, with issues of race, constitutional rights, and presidential power at the forefront. The two soldiers were part of Andrews' Raiders, a group that hijacked a train named The General in Marietta, Georgia, on April 12, 1862, leading to a chase by Confederate troops. Theresa Chandler, the great-great-granddaughter of George D. Wilson, shared his final words before being hanged, expressing his dedication to serving his country and his hope for the abolition of slavery and national unity. Brian Taylor, a descendant of Philip G. Shadrach, described his ancestor as a brave soldier who followed his convictions. While 18 other participants in the raid were previously recognized with the Medal of Honor, Shadrach and Wilson were excluded until now. Shadrach, born in 1840 in Pennsylvania, volunteered for the mission at 21 years old after being orphaned and enlisting in an Ohio infantry regiment in 1861. The story of the locomotive hijacking was later adapted into a 1956 movie titled "The Great Locomotive Chase," highlighting the daring actions of the soldiers. President Biden's gesture honors the bravery and sacrifice of these two soldiers, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of Civil War history.