In early 1865 Major General George Stoneman was largely known for a series of failures. During the Chancellorsville Campaign in 1863 he was heavily criticized by his commanding officer General Joe Hooker, perhaps somewhat unfairly given that Hooker was looking for a scapegoat for his own abysmal performance. The following year during Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign Stoneman was captured while in route to try and free prisoners at Andersonville and achieved the notorious distinction of becoming the highest-ranking Union prisoner of war. After he was exchanged and released Grant and Secretary of War Stanton wanted to relieve him from duty. Major General John Schofield intervened on his behalf and persuaded them to reverse the order. In March of 1865 he would command of about 4,000 men on a raid to destroy railroads and bridges in northwestern North Carolina and southwestern Virgina. He also hoped to free Union prisoners from the Salisbury Prison Stockade. In this series of six posts, we will trace his route through the states of North Carolina and Virgina as the war was coming to a close.

Part 1- Stoneman Moves into Western North Carolina and Virginia

Part 2- Stoneman Returns to North Carolina- The Road to Salisbury

Part 3- The Battle of Salisbury

Part 4- Salisbury Prison Stockade and National Cemetery

Part 5- The Last Confederate Victory in North Carolina- The Battle of the Yadkin River Bridge and Fort York

Part 6- Western North Carolina- Gillem Takes Charge