The Stoneman Raid

Closing in on Atlanta in July, 1864, Major General W.T. Sherman found it too strong to assault and too extensive to invest, so he sent Major General Geo. Stoneman's U.S. cavalry to cut the railway to Macon by which its Confederate defenders were supplied. Repulsed at Macon, Stoneman's retreat was stopped at Sunshine Church on the 31st by Brigadier General Alfred Iverson, Jr., with a smaller Confederate 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 and, after separating, rejoined the next day north of Madison, with Adams having marched via Eatonton and Madison, where he destroyed valuable property and supplies, and Capron via Rutledge. 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 government works there, Adams advanced to the river bridge four miles north. Unable to cross in the face of artillery fire, he turned up the west bank toward Jefferson. Capron, who had waited near Watkinsville, attempted to follow but took the road to Jug Tavern, now Winder, instead. Adams reached the Union lines with few losses, but Capron, resting for two hours northwest of Winder, was surprised before dawn on August 3rd and lost his entire command.

Watkinsville, Georgia · United States