The Stoneman Raid

Marker Text:



Located in Decatur Square by the Old Courthouse
GPS:
Visited: June 30, 2008

Apparently there are several of these markers at various points in the raid. I think I read that there are six of these markers.
A bold move to send away a large force of Cavalry in this type of engagement. Cavalry could be a balancing, or unbalancing, force in the civil war battles. But that same strength and speed could be an excellent weapon for guerrilla warfare. I can imagine the terror of the confederate citizens to realize that a Cavalry force was on the loose and targeting pseudo-military installations and operations, especially after Sherman had the Roswell clothing mill workers (mostly women) and their children arrested, rounded up, and sent north as prisoners of war. So it would be one thing to be disheartened with the invasion of the northern troops with the possibility of the destruction of towns or property, the freeing of slaves, the disruption of food supply, but now to have the question of your own person brought to bear.... It must have caused mass panic. I am sure that Hood had to react and strongly. A chasing cavalry force doesn't seem to be a huge response, but, given the circumstances, it may have been all that he could have afforded to lose.
Know, what interests me is how Stoneman was convinced that he was confronted by a much numerically superior force and decided to surrender.
I will have to track down the other markers and post them in time as well.
Until I have another Stoneman raid marker, I will leave the post titled as such. As soon as I have another marker to post, I will change this one to "The Stoneman Raid" Decatur.