Battle of Kingsport (Stoneman's Raid) Traditional Cache
Manville Possum: Archived.
Battle of Kingsport (Stoneman's Raid)
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Near where the North and South forks of the Holston River converge together.
On the morning of December 13, 1864, after riding for three days in frigid, winter weather, Union Gen. George Stoneman's forces under Gens. Stephen G. Burbridge and Alvan C. Gillem arrived on the western bank of the Holston River. They massed across the river in the fields surrounding the Rotherwood mansion. The cache location is near where Confederate Col. Richard C. Morgan, commanding 300 men of Gen. Basil W. Dukes brigade, stood on the eastern bank to defend Kingsport. The old Ross Bridge that crossed the north fork of the Holston River and connected the two banks was in disrepair and could not support foot traffic. As a result, the well-positioned Confederate troops were confident in spite of being overwelmingly outnumbered, and they thought that a Union attack was unlikely. While part of the Federal force remained in front, Col. Samuel Patton led two regiments (mostly calvery troopers from East Tennessee) roughly three miles up the western bank to Clouds Ford, where they crossed the river. They then made their way down the eastern bank and surprised the Confederates with a flank attack, capturing Morgan and driving his command toward Bristol. The Federal forces soon set off in pursuit.
Morgan's wagon train was captuerd, the number of Confederate soilders that were killed, wounded or captured differs, even the final resting place of the dead is not known for sure, but there is an unmarked cemetery (N36° 33.218 W082° 36.136) about a half a mile away from the battle site that is said to contain the bodys of those brave men that gave their lives in the defense of Kingsport and for the Confederate States of America.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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