Swannanoa Gap Engagement - Old Fort, NC
N 35° 39.061 W 082° 14.497
17S E 387601 N 3945953
Quick Description: Trails sign located at Andrews Geyser Park describes engangement on April 20 and 21, 1865 in which confederates effectually blocked and defended this mountain passage from Stoneman's raiders en route to Asheville, NC.
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 11/15/2008 8:35:56 PM
Waymark Code: WM55RY
Views: 13
Long Description:
After extensive looting, burning, and marauding throughout western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, Union Gen. Alvin C. Gillem led two brigades of Stoneman's raiders through Old Fort on April 19 en route to Asheville. The next day at Swannanoa Gap, the raiders were denied passage through the mountains by approximately 500 confederates and 4 pieces of artillery under the command of Gen. James G. Martin.
Gillem, who reported Swannanoa Gap "effectaully blocked and defended," withdrew with one brigade to Howard's Gap, via Rutherfordton 40 miles to the south, leaving Col. John K. Miller's brigade to hold the confederates in place with feints.
Type of site: Battlefield
Address:
Mill Creek Road
near Old Fort, NC McDowell County
Phone Number: none
Admission Charged: No Charge
Website: [Web Link]
Driving Directions:
Andrews Geyser Park on Mill Creek Road off Old US Highway 70, 4 miles west of the Old Fort Visitor Center and Railroad Museum.
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Visit Instructions:
Post at least one photo of a Civil War related item or scene and post one Civil War Discovery you learned while visiting the waymark. The photo should have the coordinates of where it was taken if significantly different from the waymark's coordinates.
