Editing The General (1926 film) (section)

==Plot==
[[File:The General (1926).webm|left|thumb|thumbtime=5|''The General''<br>(full movie, in the public domain)]]
After arriving in [[Marietta, Georgia]], [[Western & Atlantic Railroad]] train engineer Johnnie Gray visits Annabelle Lee, one of the two loves of his life, the other being his locomotive, ''[[The General (locomotive)|The General]].'' News arrives that the [[American Civil War]] has broken out, and Annabelle's 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 Annabelle's father and brother, who beckon to him to join them in line, but he walks away, leading them to believe that he does not want to enlist. Annabelle decides that she will not speak to Johnnie 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. Anderson's objective is to burn all the railroad bridges he passes, thus preventing reinforcement and resupply of the Confederate army. Annabelle, having returned to the train to fetch her belongings, is taken captive by the spies.

Johnnie gives chase, first on foot, then by [[handcar]] and [[Boneshaker (bicycle)|boneshaker bicycle]], before reaching the station at [[Kingston, Georgia|Kingston]]. He alerts the army detachment there, which boards another train to give chase, with Johnnie manning the locomotive the ''[[The Texas (locomotive)|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. Now behind Union lines, the hijackers see that Johnnie is by himself. Johnnie stops the ''Texas'' and runs into the forest to hide.

At nightfall, Johnnie climbs through the window of a house to steal food, but hides underneath a table when Union officers enter. He overhears their plan for a surprise attack and learns that the Rock River Bridge is essential for their supply trains. There, Johnny meets Annabelle, and they decide to steal back the train.

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. Fending off his pursuers, Johnnie starts a fire behind ''The General'' in the center of the Rock River Bridge to cut off the Union's 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 officer's 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 passing soldiers.