Saturday, July 28, 2018

George Stoneman and Levon Helm

 George Stoneman (seen above at front center near Fair Oaks, Va., June 1862) seems to have been a troubled and unlucky man in his Army and family life. On this date in 1864, he was a day into a cavalry raid east and south of Atlanta, which would end somewhat ignominiously in his capture on July 31.
He was exchanged after three months and led a couple more raids, the last immortalized in The Band's 1969 song, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. That is a rebel's lament written by a Canadian, Robbie Robertson, and influenced and sung by an Arkansan, Levon Helm. It is the greatest song about the Civil War since The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Go Down Moses, with both of which it sharply contrasts.
Stoneman's last raid in southwestern Virginia was not merely destructive, even though Helm may have seen it that way. It played a role in denying supplies to Robert. E. Lee's army and cutting off its retreat, helping set the stage for Appomattox. Then, continuing into North Carolina, the raiders may have helped convince Confederate General Joe Johnston to give up, too.

1 comment:

  1. Reports were that Stoneman destroyed civilian property that was of limited value to the war effort. His actions were deemed more vindictive than military. He was seen by the local citizenry as a marauder and bandit.

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