Mark Wood (Medal of Honor)

Penetrated deep into enemy lines to capture a rebel engine.

Mark Wood was a private in Company C, 21st Ohio Infantry when he volunteered for one of the Civil War's boldest raids. Born in England in 1839, he joined the Andrews Raid into Georgia in April 1862, the operation later known as the Great Locomotive Chase.

Wood was among the Union raiders who penetrated deep into Confederate territory, seized the locomotive General at Big Shanty, and tried to damage the rail connection between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The raiders were pursued and scattered; Wood eventually survived the mission and received the Medal of Honor, which was mailed to him in January 1864.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): One of the Union raiders who captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, and attempted to destroy bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.

Wood died on July 11, 1866, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Forest Cemetery. The database rank of Second Lieutenant appears to reflect later service; the Medal of Honor action itself was performed as a private.