During the evening of April 7, 1862, twenty-four men infiltrated the Confederate lines below Shelbyville, Tennessee, on their way to Marietta, Georgia. Their goal was to steal a train and head north, disrupting rail service between Chattanooga and Atlanta by burning bridges, tearing up track, and cutting telegraph wires. If successful, they would isolate Chattanooga and possibly facilitate its capture, which could then be used as a base for Union raids into Alabama.

They failed. Three never made it. Seven were hanged as spies. Eight escaped. Six languished in a Southern stockade until they were paroled. Eighteen received the Medal of Honor.

Among the surviving raiders was Cpl. William Pittenger. Shortly after he was mustered out, he composed an account of the mission, which was enlarged in subsequent editions and supplemented to become the most well-known and best-regarded account of the adventure. This book is a reproduction of the 1887 edition. It has been duplicated exactly as it appeared at that time with the addition of a brief introduction by Col. James G. Bogle.