4th Annual Saltville Civil War Syposium
October 4, 2008
The topic was "General George Stoneman and the Union Forces in Appalachia".
Harry R Haynes, Manager Museum of the Middle Appalachians hosted a tour
of the Civil War exhibits and also of the mining history of Saltville.
Robert Baker gave a presentation of the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry,
US Army and discussed the movements of the infantry in Smyth County and
Southwest Virginia. The 39th was present at the First Battle of
Saltville and participated in Stoneman's Raid.
Ben Fuller Fordney, biographer of General George Stoneman, discussed
Stoneman's Raid. This offensive resulted in two significant
county battles - the Second Battle of Saltville and the Battle of
Marion. Stoneman's offensive through Smyth County was part of a
bigger movement designed to open access into North Carolina and take
control of a Confederate prison and a supply center.