On December 10, 1864, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 5,700 horse artillerists and cavalrymen east from Knoxville, Tennessee, to destroy iron-, lead-, and saltworks in Virginia that were essential to the Confederate war effort. On the morning of December 13, 1864, after riding for three days in frigid winter weather, forces under Gens. Stephen G. Burbridge and Alvan C. Gillem arrived on the western bank of the Holston River opposite Kingsport, where Confederate Col. Richard C. Morgan commanded 300 men of Gen. Basil W. Duke's brigade on the eastern bank. The Ross Bridge was in disrepair and could not support foot traffic, so the Confederates believed a Union attack was unlikely despite being heavily outnumbered. While part of the Federal force remained in front, Col. Samuel Patton led two regiments up the western bank to Cloud's Ford, crossed the river, moved down the eastern bank, and surprised the Confederates with a flank attack, capturing Morgan and driving his command toward Bristol. Burbridge reported that after a short engagement the Confederate force was routed, with 15 killed and wounded, 85 prisoners captured, and 13 wagons taken. After actions at Kingsport and Bristol, Stoneman struck at Marion, Wytheville, and Austinville, then destroyed the saltworks at Saltville, and returned to Tennessee on January 1, 1865, having laid waste to every factory, railroad, depot, and warehouse in his path.