During the Civil War, the Western and Atlantic had leased the Yonah to the Cooper Iron Works, which operated a short spur to their foundry from a junction at Etowah, Georgia.
On April 12, 1862, The General was commandeered by Northerners led by James J. Andrews at Big Shanty (now Kennesaw, Georgia), and passed the Yonah at Etowah as it traveled north towards Chattanooga.
Noticing that the Yonah was under full steam and ready for service, the group of raiders aboard the General suggested destroying the engine.
The Yonah was about to make its morning run to the Cooper Works when William Allen Fuller, the conductor whose train had been stolen at Big Shanty, arrived at Etowah.
Fuller assumed control of the Yonah, and drove the engine in full steam northward for fifteen miles, arriving in Kingston.