Opelika in Lee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Rosseau's Raid to East Alabama

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2014

1. Rosseau's Raid to East Alabama Marker

Inscription. With orders from Gen. Sherman, Gen. Lovell Rousseau left Decatur with 2,700 cavalry, beginning his raid into East-Central Alabama. That raid ended successfully in Opelika July 19, 1864, after miles of track were destroyed along with other railroad equipment, two depots, and several warehouses brimming with supplies for Confederate forces defending Atlanta. They then turned northeast to join Sherman's Army advancing towards Atlanta.

Erected 2000 by the Opelika Historic Preservation Society and the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1993.

Location. 32° 38.889′ N, 85° 22.757′ W. Marker is in Opelika, Alabama, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of South 8th Street and South Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 South Railroad Avenue, Opelika AL 36801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and in Greater Columbus.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Opelika / Opelika (within shouting distance of this marker); South Railroad Avenue (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Railroad Avenue Historic District (about 500 feet

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away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); First United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Lee County World War II Honor Roll (about 600 feet away); Pepperell Manufacturing Company (about 600 feet away); George W. Andrews Federal Building and United States Courthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Opelika.

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Alabama article on Rosseau's Raid. (Submitted on May 15, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2014

2. Marker Area

Train Tracks & Crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 6, 2014

3. Train Tracks & Crossing

Maj. Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau image. Click for full size.

circa 1865

4. Maj. Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau

Library of Congress [LC-B813- 6440 A]

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,618 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 6, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.