H.R. 763: James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill is known as the James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act. Its primary purpose is to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to two individuals, James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell, in recognition of their bravery and dedication to the Union during the Civil War. They were both civilian members of a group known as Andrews’ Raiders, who undertook a risky military mission known as the Great Locomotive Chase.

Background

James J. Andrews, born in 1829 in what is now West Virginia, served as a civilian spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. He was the leader of the Andrews' Raiders, a group that aimed to disrupt Confederate supply lines by hijacking a Confederate locomotive. William H. Campbell, born in Ohio in 1839, was unexpectedly recruited for this mission while visiting friends with the Union army in Kentucky.

The Great Locomotive Chase

On March 25, 1862, Andrews devised a plan to sever the Western and Atlantic Railroad line, which was crucial for supplying Confederate troops. He gathered a group of 24 Union soldiers, who disguised themselves in civilian clothes to carry out the operation. Their goal was to steal a train, run it toward Chattanooga, sabotage the rail lines, and impede Confederate troop movements.

On April 12, 1862, Andrews and his men commandeered a locomotive named the General and traveled northward, causing significant damage to the railroad. However, they eventually ran out of fuel and were captured by Confederate forces. Andrews and several of his men were executed after being tried for being unlawful combatants.

Recognition and Memorialization

The bill provides for the following key components:

• Presentation Authorized: The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the presentation of a single gold medal commemorating Andrews and Campbell's actions during the Civil War.
• Design and Striking: The Secretary of the Treasury will create and strike the gold medal with appropriate designs and inscriptions.
• Display: After its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research purposes.
• Duplicates: The Secretary may also strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover the costs involved.

Historical Context

Andrews’ Raiders played a notable role in Civil War history. Six members of the group were among the first to receive the Medal of Honor in 1863. Over the years, many of the raiders received this recognition for their courage, which was brought to public attention again in a ceremony on July 3, 2024, when medals were awarded by President Biden.

The town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is significant in this history, as it is considered the birthplace of the Medal of Honor and was a key location in the events surrounding the Great Locomotive Chase. Additionally, this episode has been remembered through films, including a Walt Disney movie titled "The Great Locomotive Chase."

Financial Provisions

The bill allows for expenses related to the creation of the gold medal to be charged to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates will also be deposited into this fund.

Relevant Companies

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