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Jackson in Jackson County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

John Wollam
⎯⎯⎯
Andrew's Raid

Famous Raid Of The Civil War

 
 
John Wollam Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
1. John Wollam Marker
Inscription.
John Wollam
Born about 1839 in Beaver Falls, PA. He lived in Cincinnati several years moving to Jackson in the early 1850s working as a carpenter with his father. He enlisted in the Union Army's 33rd OVI on August 24, 1861, volunteering to serve in what was the famous Andrew's Raid. In Big Shanty, GA on April 12, 1862, the Raiders stole a Confederate locomotive. After an all-day train chase by pursuing Confederates, the Raiders were all captured. Raider Wollam attempted escaping, being successful on the 3rd attempt, then rejoining his regiment. Wollam was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1864 for his participation in the raid. Returning to Jackson, after the war he worked as a bridge builder. He died in Topeka, KS on September 26, 1890. He is buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Jackson, OH.

Andrew's Raid
Famous Raid of the Civil War

Andrew's Raid was one of the most significant of the Civil War. 22 Union soldiers and 2 civilians, mostly from Ohio, infiltrated into Georgia. They commandeered the Confederate locomotive "The General" and headed north planning to destroy bridges, telegraph lines, and cutting rail
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service. However, Confederate troops pursued the Raiders on another locomotive, "The Texas". The General was captured when it ran out of fuel. The same day the Union troops abandoned the locomotive and tried making their way north, however, all were captured. 8 were tried and hanged. The remainder were eventually freed. The first 6 Raiders freed were the first ever to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Another 15 of the Raiders would ultimately receive the award.
 
Erected by The Jackson Historical Society, James F. Meacham, and Michael and Deanna Stroth.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & StreetcarsWar, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1862.
 
Location. 39° 3.173′ N, 82° 38.305′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Ohio, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Portsmouth Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 181 Main St, Jackson OH 45640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American
Andrew's Raid Famous Raid Of The Civil War Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
2. Andrew's Raid Famous Raid Of The Civil War Marker
Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James M. Compston (here, next to this marker); Trails / The Kanawha Trail (here, next to this marker); John Wollam (here, next to this marker); Jackson County Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Lewis R. Hall (a few steps from this marker); POW★MIA (a few steps from this marker); Donald R. Long (a few steps from this marker); 53rd O.V.I. Regiment / Camp Diamond (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.
 
Jackson County Veterans Memorial Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
3. Jackson County Veterans Memorial Park
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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Sep. 14, 2026