Williamston in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Confederate Skirmish
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 4, 2008
1. Confederate Skirmish Marker
On May 1, 1865, cadets from the Arsenal Academy at Columbia, under Capt. John Peyre Thomas, who were en route from Greenville to Newberry to be disbanded, met a band of Stoneman's raiders near here in one of the last engagements of the war, which had begun in Charleston Harbor with shots fired from a post manned by cadets from the Citadel Academy.
Erected 1964 by Anderson County Historical Association. (Marker Number 4-8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Anderson County Historical Association/Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1788.
Location. 34° 37.115′ N, 82° 28.675′ W. Marker is in Williamston, South Carolina, in Anderson County. Marker is on West Main Street (State Highway 20), on the left when traveling south. Marker located near the exit of the Mineral Springs Park, visible from the Williamston Female Academy Marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamston SC 29697, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Williamston Municipal Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Williamston Female College (within shouting distance of this marker); Williamston 9-11 Monument
this page online
Also see . . . George Stoneman. George Stoneman, Jr. (August 22, 1822 – September 5, 1894) was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the Governor of California between 1883 and 1887. (Submitted on November 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Captain John Peyre Thomas
Captain John Peyre Thomas was born March 17, 1833. He graduated in the Citadel's class of 1851 and was Superintendent of the
Photographed By Brian Scott
2. John Peyre Thomas
March 17, 1833 - February 11, 1912
March 17, 1833 - February 11, 1912
— Submitted November 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. The Williamston Confederate Skirmish
It is an established fact, though little known, that the last organized fighting east of the Mississippi River in the War Between the States took place near Williamston. The proof of this skirmish is in the first book that was presented to the Clemson College Library: The History of the South Carolina Military Academy, by John Peyre Thomas, published in Charleston in 1893.
The book was presented to the Library by Benjamin R. Tillman, and it bears out the facts that the cadets were at a point near Williamston, S.C., when the cadets had halted after a weary march, and were, many of them, asleep on their arms, when the command was fired upon, and some confusion, incident to a surprise, issued. But when the flag was displayed in the road, the command promptly rallied around it, and
circa 1860
3. General George Stoneman
(1822–1894)
(1822–1894)
As the army fought in the Atlanta Campaign under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, Stoneman and his aide, Myles Keogh, were captured by Confederate soldiers outside Macon, Georgia, becoming the highest ranking Union prisoner of war. He was a prisoner for three months. During Sherman's march to the sea, Stoneman earned the nickname "Merchant of Terror" because of his oversight of the burnings of Atlanta and other cities in Georgia. (Source: Wikipedia entry.)
Governor of California (1883-1887)
The commanding officer, upon advancing, finding that the attacking party, who were a portion of Stoneman's raiders, had retired, turned about and resumed the retreat. It was now apparent that small bands of the raiders were on all sides of the corps of cadets. But without encountering any of these parties, the corps reached Belton the day after leaving Greenville, and halting at Cokesbury and Greenwood finally went into camp at Ninety Six, whence, after remaining for a week, it proceeded to Newberry C.H. and camped at that place.
Here, Captain Thomas communicated with Governor Magrath, asking for further orders, the cadets being at that time (May 9, 1865) the only organized body in arms in the state, and perhaps in the South, this side of the Mississippi River.
— Submitted November 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,550 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on June 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 2. submitted on December 14, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on November 18, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
