[2] In 1864 General George Stoneman led forces in the Atlanta campaign, leading an expedition to liberate prisoners, but was captured by Confederate Home Guard at Clinton, Georgia.

[6] In the meantime, Union forces under General William Tecumseh Sherman had entered Columbia, rendering it no longer necessary for Stoneman to attack South Carolina.

Impatient with the delay, Grant wired Thomas on March 19, writing "If Stoneman has not got off on his expedition, start him off at once with whatever force you can give him.

On April 9, 1865, they re-entered North Carolina and traveled south to the twin towns of Winston and Salem, now Winston-Salem, and on to High Point.

[10] A detachment of 1,000 troops under Colonel John K. Miller then proceeded towards the Yadkin River on the Rowan-Davidson County line in attempt to destroy the railway trestle there.

The rail line was protected by 1,000–1,600 Confederate troops stationed in Fort York atop a bluff on the opposite side of the river.

[11] The Union troops traveled west in North Carolina, destroying military supplies in Statesville, Lincolnton, Taylorsville, and Asheville, before re-entering Tennessee on April 26, 1865.

[13] The state of North Carolina later erected historical markers in each community where Stoneman's cavalry camped or fought during the raid,[1] including west of Lewisville, in Blowing Rock, and in Dobson.