Stoneman Raid State Historical Marker

Located on US 411 at Eagle Tavern Opposite the Courthouse, Watkinsville, Ga.

 

(Text)

 

THE STONEMAN RAID

 

Closing in on Atlanta in July, 1864, Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman

found it "too strong to assault and too extensive to invest." To

force its evacuation, he sent Maj. Gen. Geo. Stoneman's cavalry

to cut the railway to Macon by which its defenders were

supplied. Repulsed at Macon, Stoneman's retreat was stopped at

Sunshine Church (19 miles NE of Macon) on the 31st by Brig. Gen.

Alfred Iverson, Jr., with a smaller force. Deluded as to

Iverson's actual strength, Stoneman covered the escape of Adams'

and Capron's brigades, then surrendered the rest of his command.

 

Both brigades marched toward Eatonton (42 miles S). Separa-

ting, they rejoined next day north of Madison (20 miles S). Adams

having marched via Eatonton and Madison (where he destroyed valu-

able property and supplies and Capron via Rutledge (9 miles W

of Madison). Late on August 1st, they camped "twelve miles from

the bridge crossing the Oconee river, near Athens."

 

Next morning they entered Watkinsville. Hoping to resupply his

command at Athens, and to "destroy the armory and other govern-

ment works" there, Adams advanced to the river bridge (4 miles N).

Unable to cross in the face of artillery fire, he turned up the

west bank toward Jefferson (26 miles NW). Capron, who had waited

near Watkinsville, attempted to follow but took the road to Jug

Tavern (Winder) instead. Adams reached the Union lines with few

losses; but Capron, resting for two hours NW of Winder, was sur-

prised before dawn on August 3rd and lost his entire command.

 

108-4 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 195?

 

 

Photo: Ed Jackson

© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia

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