The General

When Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie
Gray arrives in Marietta Georgia he visits the home of
Annabelle Lee one of the two loves of his life the other
being his locomotive The General. News arrives that the
American Civil War has broken out and Annabelles brother
and father rush to enlist in the Confederate Army. To
please Annabelle Johnnie hurries to be first in line to
enlist but is rejected because he is more valuable as an
engineer although he is not told that reason. On leaving
he runs into Annabelles father and brother who beckon to
him to join them in line but he walks away leaving them
with the impression that he does not want to enlist.
Annabelle informs Johnnie that she will not speak to him
again until he is in uniform. A year passes and Annabelle
receives word that her father has been wounded. She
travels north on the W&ARR to see him with The General
pulling the train. When it makes a stop the passengers and
crew detrain for a quick meal. As previously planned Union
Army spies led by Captain Anderson use the opportunity to
steal the train. Andersons objective is to burn all the
railroad bridges he passes thus preventing reinforcement
and resupply of the Confederate army. Annabelle who
returned to a baggage car becomes an inadvertent prisoner
of the raiders. Johnnie gives chase first on foot then by
handcar and boneshaker bicycle before reaching the station
at Kingston. He alerts the army detachment there which
boards another train to give chase with Johnnie manning
the locomotive the Texas. However the flatcars are not
hooked up to the engine and the troops are left behind. By
the time Johnnie realizes he is alone it is too late to
turn back. The Union agents try various methods to shake
their pursuer including disconnecting their trailing car
and dropping railroad ties on the tracks. As the chase
continues northward the Confederate Army of Tennessee is
ordered to retreat and the Northern army advances in its
wake. Johnnie finally notices he is now behind Union lines
and the hijackers see that Johnnie is by himself. Johnnie
stops the Texas and runs into the forest to hide just as a
downpour develops. At nightfall Johnnie climbs through the
window of a house to steal some food but hides underneath
a table when some Union officers enter. He overhears their
plan for a surprise attack and that the Rock River Bridge
is essential for their supporting supply trains. He then
sees Annabelle brought in; she is taken to a room under
guard while they decide what to do with her. Johnnie
manages to knock out both guards and free Annabelle. They
escape into the rainy woods. As day breaks Johnnie and
Annabelle find themselves near a railway station where
Union soldiers and equipment are being organized for the
attack. Seeing The General Johnnie devises a plan to warn
the South. After sneaking Annabelle onto a boxcar Johnnie
steals his engine back. Two Union trains including the
Texas set out after the pair while the Union attack is
launched. In a reversal of the first chase Johnnie now has
to fend off his pursuers. Finally he starts a fire behind
The General in the center of the Rock River Bridge to cut
off the Unions important supply line. Reaching friendly
lines Johnnie warns the Confederate commander of the
impending attack and their forces rush to meet the enemy.
Meanwhile Annabelle is reunited with her convalescing
father. The pursuing Texas drives onto the burning bridge
which collapses. When Union soldiers try to ford the river
Confederate fire drives them back. Afterward Johnnie
returns to his locomotive to find the Union officer whom
he had knocked out in escaping earlier has now regained
consciousness. He takes the officer prisoner and is
spotted by the Confederate general. As a reward for his
bravery he is commissioned a lieutenant and given the
captured officers sword. Returning to The General with
Annabelle he tries to kiss her but has to repeatedly
return the salutes of troops walking past. Johnnie finally
uses his left hand to embrace Annabelle while using his
right to salute the passing soldiers.