Downtown Decatur in DeKalb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Stoneman Raid

Photographed By Felch Dumas, June 30, 2008

1. The Stoneman Raid Marker located on the square in Decatur

Inscription.
In July, 1864, Maj. Gen W.T. Sherman's army (US) closed in on Atlanta. Finding its fortifications "too strong to assault and too extensive to invest," he sought to force its fall by sending Maj. Gen. Geo. Stoneman, with three brigades (2112 men and 2 guns) of the Army of the Ohio cavalry, to cut the Central of Georgia R.R. by which the defenders (CS) were supplied. On the 27th, Stoneman sent Garrard to Flat Rock (12 miles SE) to protect his rear, then left Decatur, crossed the Ocmulgee (Yellow) River near Covington, and turned down the left bank towards Monticello and Macon.

Near Macon on the 30th, he detached part of the 14th Illinois Cavalry which wrecked railway facilities at Griswoldville, Gordon, McIntyre, and Toomsboro (east of Macon), and burned trains, trestles, and the long railway bridge over the Oconee River.

At Macon (95 miles SE), he was turned back by the Georgia Militia, strongly entrenched. Unable to advance, he shelled Macon briefly, then attempted to retreat. Early the next morning, Sunday the 31st, he was brought to bay at Sunshine Church (19 miles NE of Macon) by Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson, Jr., who, with only 1300 cavalry (CS), had marched to intercept him. Deluded into believing that he was surrounded, Stoneman covered the escape northward of Adams' and Capron's brigades, then he surrendered,

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with about 600 men and his artillery and train, to what Iverson had managed to convince him was a substantially superior force.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 044-80.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1864.

Location. 33° 46.498′ N, 84° 17.779′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Georgia, in DeKalb County. It is in Downtown Decatur. Marker is on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Clairemont Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located on the square in Decatur by the Old Courthouse. One block north of the Decatur MARTA Station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur GA 30030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garrard’s Cavalry Raid (a few steps from this marker); Indian Trails of Dekalb County (a few steps from this marker); DeKalb County Confederate Monument Contextualization (a few steps from this marker); Old Dekalb County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Wheeler’s Cav. at Decatur (within shouting distance of this marker); DeKalb County (within shouting

The Stoneman Raid Marker on the square in Decatur. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Felch Dumas, June 30, 2008

2. The Stoneman Raid Marker on the square in Decatur.

Near the Old Courthouse, seen in the background.

distance of this marker); Houston Mill Millstone (within shouting distance of this marker); During the Battle of Decatur (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Also see . . . The Stoneman-McCook Disaster: The Last Confederate Victory?. Civil War Talk website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,448 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.