Martin J. Hawkins

Raided deep into enemy territory to capture a rebel train.

Martin Jones Hawkins was a corporal in Company A, 33rd Ohio Infantry when he volunteered for the Andrews Raid into Georgia in April 1862. The mission called for a small party to seize a Confederate train and wreck the railroad linking Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Hawkins and the other raiders captured the locomotive General at Big Shanty and raced north while Confederate pursuers followed. The operation ultimately failed and Hawkins was captured, but he survived the ordeal and later returned to Union service, eventually reaching first lieutenant. He received the Medal of Honor in September 1863.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): One of the Union raiders who penetrated deep into Confederate territory, captured a train at Big Shanty, and attempted to destroy the railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Hawkins was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 1830. He died on February 7, 1886, in Quincy, Illinois, and was buried in Woodland Cemetery.