The Washington herald., 1914-12-20
GEN. SLOVENIAN DEFEATS CON.
FEDERATES NEAR MARION.
December 18.

Fifty years ago today Federal cavalry
under Gen. George Stoneman defeated an
inferior force OF Confederates under Gen
J. c. Breckenridge near Marion in South
western Virginia. and opened the way to
the salt works at Saltvillc, which were
to be destroyed.
The works at SaltvilIe had given to
the Confedcracy a large part of its sup
ply OF the great common necessity. Since
tn" earliest days Of the war the FederaIs
had made attempts to destroy them. and.
though they had several times reached
the vicinity Of the works, had never
succeeded.
Three years of campaigning had great
" weakened the Confederate force in
SoUt Uthw"-tern Virginia and Eastern Ten
n"sy. Until on December l.. when Gen.
StOncman started out from Knoxville
with about 4OOO cavalry and four guns.
there were not 2OOO of the enemy to op-
pose him.
The Federal command consisted of :. 10
men under Gen. stephen V. Burbridgc.
which had been organized in Kentucky
and had ridden by way Of Cumberland
Gap to Beans Station in East Tennes-
see. east of Knoxville. and about ! .5OO
under Gen. Alvan {. Gillrm. who had
previously had many brushes with the
Confederates along the railroad that ran
from Knoxville to Lynchburg and Char
lotteSville. Va.
Primarily il was Gen. Stoneman's OBJ
ject to defeat the Confcderates and do
all possible damage to that railroad. Gen.
Lee. at Petersburg. depended upon It
for large part Of his supplies. II sue
cessful in meeting and defeating the
enemy. Stoneman planned to move
against SaltvilIe and to destroy the works
there.
Capture NOrEan's Brother.
With Gen. GilIems command Stone
man formed a junction with Burbridge's
force at Bean Station on december II and
from there made a sweep TO the north in
an endeavor to get in the rear Of the
outlying Confederate brigades under Gen.
Basil W. Duke John Morgan's old COM
mandD and John c. Vaughn. Gen. Gil
lem met Dukes command. temporarily
under Col. Richard g. Morgan, a brother
OF the famous Confederate cavalry raid
er. near kingsport. on the north fork
of the HOlstOn River. at daylight Of the
morning OF December Is.
After a short contest the Federals sue
ceeded in crossing the river and in cap
turing a number OF COnfederates. incIud-
ing Col Morgan. On the 18th the Fed
erals concentrated at Bristol on the Vir-
Ginia State line. Thence they pushed on
fifteen miles east to Abingdon, destroying
the railroad with its bridges and Cul-
verts. Several trains with locomotives
were captured.
1t now was learned that the brigade
under Gen. Vaughn. which the Federals
had cndeavored to intercept, had CIuded
them. and was well on its way toward
to push along tie railroad as lar as pos
sibl". hoping that he might thereby draw
Gen BreckinbridEP. and whatever forces
ne might have been able to collect to
defend Saltville. out Of the works at that
point to a battle ground more favorable
to the Federals. The defenses at Salt
Vile were Of great natural strength.
The Federals. under Gen. Gillem. fol-
lowing Gen. Stonemsn's instructions.
overlook the Confedcrates under Vaughn
near Marion, Va. twCnty-seven miles
northeast OF -rbington. early in tho morn
ing Of December Is. attacked. routed and
pursued them to Wytheville. twenty-five
miles beyond, which point was reached
about dark. The Federals captured about
10 prisoners, a number of wagons and
some artillery.
Enemy Flees to Hills.
During the night of the 18th Gillem
completed his destruction of wytheville.
with a large store OF Confederate sup
plies, embracing 5000 rounds of fixed
several hundred wagons,
small-arms ammunition, pack-s8ddles,
harness, etc. fifteen caissons and ten fielo
guns, two locomotives and several. cars.
Having sent a portion of his command
to Reedy Creek, thirteen miles beyond,
to destroy an important bridge over that
stream. he faced about and early in the
forenoon of December II rejoined Gen.
Stoneman with the main body near Mount
Airy. midway between Marion and
wytheville.
rhe only thing now left for US to do
was the destruction of the far-famed
salt works" wrote Gen. Stoneman in his
inridge had gathered his scattered COM
mand and, as Stoneman had wished, had
come out fror. Saltville and taken a
stand near Marion in an endeavor to
mevent the Federals from returning into
East Tennessee.
BY the night OF the 18th the Federsls
had driven back Breckinridge's Outposts
and were prepared to attack him the
next morning. Gen. Stoneman detached
Gen. Gillem's command and sent II
around to the Confederate left to get
between it and the salt works, while |
smaller detachment was sent to gain the |
enemy's rear. around their right flsnk.
The following morning Stoneman. with !
command, attacked Breck- |
jnridEe's force near Marion, and after !
n series of assaults. at tho conclusion !
Of which the Confederate ammunition