Stoneman Raid State Historic Marker

Stoneman's Raid State Historic Marker

US 441 at the west end of the bridge

over the Middle Oconee River, Athens

 

(text)

 

THE STONEMAN RAID

 

On July 31, 1864, at the Battle of Sunshine Church (19 miles NE

of Macon), Maj. Gen. Geo. Stoneman surrendered with 600 men

to Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson, Jr., after covering the escape north-

ward of Adams' and Capron's brigades of his cavalry command.

Adams moved via Eatonton and Madison and Capron via Rutledge,

rejoining north of Madison late the next day.

 

Early on August 2nd. Adams, intending to resupply his command

and to "destroy the armory and other government works" in Athens,

reached this point. He found the planks removed from the bridge

over Middle Oconee River (on the old road) and guns emplaced on

the hill above Princeton Factory (0.3 miles N.), supported by the

"Mitchell Thunderbolts" and other Home Guards units, commanded by

Capt. Edward P. Lumpkin, son of the first Chief Justice of Georgia,

and home on convalescent leave. Unable to cross, Adams turned

west and, avoiding towns, reached the Union lines near Marietta

on August 4th, his brigade almost intact.

 

Capron, who had waited in reserve near Watkinsville, attempted

to follow him but found himself on the Hog Mountain road to Jug

Tavern (Winder) instead. Passing through Jug Tavern late that night,

he marched to King's Tanyard (5 miles N.W. of Winder) and halted

for two hours rest. Before dawn on August 3rd. he was surprised

by William's Kentucky Brigade. About 430 of his men were

captured, a few escaping through the woods. Capron himself, with

six men, reached Marietta four days later on foot.

 

029-7 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1993

 

[Replaces Georgia Historical Commission marker 029-7,

with identical text, erected in 1957]

Photo: Ed Jackson