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| The markers on the left and right have disappeared |
SALISBURY, N.C.
Salisbury was the military climax of Stoneman's Raid. On April 12, 1865—three days after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Va.—about 4,000 Union troops captured the town, destroyed its notorious prison, and burned a large storehouse of Confederate war supplies.
North of the town at Fort York in Davidson County, a band of Confederates successfully defended the Yadkin River railroad trestle in one of the last Confederate victories of the Civil War. Now, two historical markers that commemorate those events have disappeared. A third marker in downtown Salisbury still stands.
We've written before about how Stoneman's Raid markers have disappeared. Some speculate they were taken down by offended Southern loyalists—but that wouldn't explain the Fort York marker, since it was a Confederate victory. They could also be victims of scrap-metal salvagers or souvenir hunters.
The cast aluminum markers cost $1,790. Ansley Wegner with the state historical markers association is quoted in the Salisbury Post as saying the state may not replace them, since there are 19 markers for Stoneman's Raid among the 1,612 markers statewide, which she suggested might be considered duplication.
In fact, there are more state markers for Stoneman's Raid than for any other event in our history. Since the raid spanned 24 counties in western North Carolina, I could argue that 19 markers is not enough.
Including Civil War Trails markers and other local monuments, I am aware of 42 displays in North Carolina that commemorate Stoneman's Raid (or maybe 43, if you count this homemade marker in Rural Hall.
