Rutherfordton - North Carolina
Posted by: 
geodave88
N 35° 21.978 W 081° 57.444
17S E 413025 N 3914086
Union Gen. Alvan C. Gillem entered Rutherford County with two brigades of Gen. George Stoneman's raiders after Confederate forces blocked his planned route to Asheville at Swannanoa Gap on April 20, 1865...
Waymark Code: WM58FH
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 11/27/2008
Views: 11
...Gillem arrived in Rutherfordtonon April 21st and then, two days later, pressed on through the county toward Asheville with his brigade consisting of the 8th, 9th, and 13th Tennessee Cavalry. He ordered Col. William J. Palmer, who commanded a brigade composed of the of the 10th Michigan, 12th Ohio, and 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, to establish a headquarters in Rutherfordton, then follow Gillem's force.
Gillem's command consisted of "Home Yankees" as they were called, who were natives of Tennessee and the adjoining mountain counties of North Carolina. This region was the scene of bloody conflicts between neighbors (sometimes within families) who were Unionists or secessionists. Some of Gillem's soldiers, then, had scores to settle, and they settled a few of them in Rutherford County. Palmer's soldiers, who entered Rutherfordton on the morning of April 25, were aghast at the depredations Gillem's men had inflicted on the civilians.
Palmer remained in Rutherfordton until April 26, the day Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered near Durham, then marched about ten miles west and bivouacked. The next day he joined in the pursuit of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who had fled south from Virginia. Palmer rode through Rutherfordton and took up the chase into South Carolina.
"The two days' stay of the Tennesseeans did (Rutherfordton) no good. They...put pistols to the heads of the citizens, persuaded them to give up their pocketbooks, and even took the rings from ladies' fingers. The sympathy we used to feel for the loyal Tennesseeans is being rapidly transferred to their enemy."
- Capt. Harry K. Weand, 15th Pa. Cavalry
Type of site: Transportation Route or Facility
Address:
132 North Main Street
Rutherfordton, NC
Admission Charged: No Charge
Website: [Web Link]
Driving Directions:
Sign located in front of Norris Library on N. Main St/US 221
Phone Number: Not listed
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