Gordon in Wilkinson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Stoneman Raid
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
1. The Stoneman Raid Marker
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 George Stoneman, with three cavalry brigades (2112 men and 2 guns) to cut the Central of Georgia R.R. by which the city’s defenders [CS] were supplied. On the 27th, Stoneman left Decatur, crossed the Ocmulgee (Yellow) River near Covington (69 miles NW), and turned down the left bank toward Macon. On the 30th, at Clinton (16 miles NW), Major F. M. Davidson, 14th Illinois Cavalry, was detached with 125 men to destroy railway facilities. Here at Gordon, he “burned a large brick depot filled with army supplies, destroying 11 locomotives, and burned 11 trains of cars consisting of 40 passenger cars, 80 box-cars, filled with commissary and quartermaster stores, and 20 open cars loaded with machinery, also burned a large building stored with tools and machinery belonging to the railroad company, and 1 cotton factory; destroyed the telegraph office, with several instruments, capturing the operator, and tore up half a mile of
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Repulsed at Macon, Stoneman’s retreat was intercepted early on the 31st at Sunshine Church (7 miles north of Clinton) by Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson, Jr., who, with only 1300 cavalry [CS] deluded Stoneman into surrendering to his much smaller force.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 158-3B.)
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. 32° 52.904′ N, 83° 20.044′ W. Marker is in Gordon, Georgia, in Wilkinson County. Marker is at the intersection of Macon Road and Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north on Macon Road. Marker is now located at the Gordon Train Depot Museum, some 13 miles from previous location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Jackson Street, Gordon GA 31031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Evacuation of Gordon (here, next to this marker); In Memory of J. Rufus Kelly (here, next to this marker); The March to the Sea (here, next to this marker); He Wouldn't Run
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 29, 2017
2. The Stoneman Raid Marker
Marker was moved from Milledgeville Road to Macon Road, near the Gordon Train Depot Museum.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 29, 2017
3. The Stoneman Raid Marker on this end of 4 markers at new location.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
4. The Stoneman Raid Marker at former location.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
5. The Stoneman Raid Marker at former location.
Looking northwest toward the intersection with Gray Highway (Georgia Highway 18). The marker is third of the four.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
6. The Stoneman Raid Marker at former location.
Looking southeast on Milledgeville Road (Georgia Highway 243) at the BASF Kaolin plant, which dominates the town. The marker is second of the four.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
