Re: I'm Pissed!!!
This could have something to do with it.
http://www.trading-ford.org/stoneman.html
The Battle at the Yadkin Bridge
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UNION PRISONERS OF WAR CROSSING THE YADKIN RIVER ON PLATFORM CARS
Toward Salisbury, N. C., February 24, 1864, Robert Knox Sneden
Six miles east of Salisbury, the railroad bridge over the Yadkin River was vital to rail transportation for the Confederacy, and was a strategic target for the Union. Perhaps as early as 186354, construction of earthen fortifications to guard it had begun. These fortifications, on a high bluff on the north side of the river covered the entire hill, now bisected by modern highways. They protected the railroad bridge and Locke's (Beard's) bridge, as well as roads east. The high bluff provided both military superiority and a commanding view. Certainly, the fortifications were extended in anticipation of Stoneman's arrival.
In the summer of 1864, Capt. George W. Kirk led a band of raiders from Morristown, Tennessee into western North Carolina. "He did not accomplish the principal object of the expedition - that is, the destruction of the railroad bridge over the Yadkin River; but made arrangements to do this secretly, it being impossible for him to do it by force."55
These secret arrangements may have been with a band of deserters and Union sympathizers in Yadkin county. On February 12, 1865, Bradley T. Johnson in Salisbury reported: "It is said that a large number of deserters are collecting in Yadkin [county] for an attack here. A few cavalry will disperse them." 56
A report by Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, April 9, 1865, noted the importance of destroying the Yadkin bridge: "At Boone information was received that General Stoneman was at or near Wilkesborough, N. C., on the 30th ultimo, moving down the Yadkin River, with the supposed intention of destroying the important railroad bridge over the Yadkin River." Tillson noted that if Stoneman were unable to accomplish this, his own forces would do so.57
Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard had prepared for Stoneman's approach. On March 31, 1865, he ordered: "Be careful enemy do not destroy railroad bridge across the Yadkin. Protect it with field-works. One or two batteries have been ordered to you."58 On April 3rd he added: "Light battery at Yadkin bridge must be placed on south side of river should proper positions be found."59 This order was re-iterated, too late, on April 12th: "Yadkin bridge should be well guarded on both sides, especially on south side now."60 On April 6th, Beauregard advised "the immediate construction of tetes-de-point at railroad bridge on Yadkin and Catawba; also at nearest fords to each said bridge."61
The fortifications were said to have been laid out "by a Lieut. Beauregard, a nephew of the late general."62 Originally known as Camp Yadkin,63 over the years they have been called Fort Beauregard,64 Fort York, and York Hill.
"General [Zebulon] York of Louisiana, with ten or twelve hundred men - Home Guards and 'Galvanized' Irish - defended the bridge."65 "York was getting well up in years, and having lost an arm he was known by the sonbriquet [sic] of 'One Wing York.'"66 C.D. Simmerson's eye-witness account numbers the Confederate troops at 10,000,67 but Beall's estimate is probably more accurate. According to Simmerson, Captain Frank Smith, of Alabama, and Capt. Henry Clement commanded Confederate troops at the fort.68 "Two of the biggest Confederate cannons had been placed to control the approaches to the railroad bridge, Mr. Simmerson said, and these big guns mowed down trees on the Rowan side of the river...."69
If Stoneman had any hopes of a surrender at the Yadkin, they were dashed when "York sent him word that he would hold the works against 10,000 Yankees."70
Col. John K. Miller's brigade arrived at the river about 2:00.71 Miller's brigade was made up of the 8th Tennessee and 13th Tennessee,72 and numbered 1,000 men.73 A Union officer approached the bridge on horseback to survey the situation. "The officer was promptly shot off his horse."74 "At the first advance, so the older inhabitants say, sixteen of the blue coats were killed or mortally wounded."75
Miller sent back to Salisbury for the artillery, which arrived about 3:00.76 Stoneman's artillery battery carried with them four Parrott guns (Peter Cooper, Professor of Anthropology at Catawba College has found a fragment of Parrott shells at this site), and possibly a few other pieces.77 "18 pieces of artillery with caissons, forges, and battery wagons complete"78 had been captured earlier in the day at Grant's Creek. Both Confederate and Union forces had access to the ammunition at the Salisbury armory. The stage was set for an all-out artillery assault - the Union blue on the south (Rowan) side of the river, the Confederate gray on the north (Davidson).
Margaret Beall Ramsey recorded, "A strong force concentrated to attack this railroad bridge. Heavy cannonading at the river bridge continued until dark [7:30].79 The raiders, thinking the bridge too strongly fortified returned to Salisbury, destroying the railroad as they went. A few Confederates were wounded, and one or two killed."80
The Confederates "had their well-placed cannon, shooting solid shot of great dimension, backed by withering rifle barrage from their impregnable fortress, so that Stoneman's men gave up their assault as a bad job and turned back ...."81
One Tennessean who was there called it "a sharp fight which compelled them to retire."82
The following morning, "Stoneman's pursuing cavalry was coming back to Salisbury after a battle lost. But no wild cheers, no war whoops of victory marked their return to the town. General Beauregard's defenders had saved the Yadkin River railroad bridge."83
Brenizer wrote that it was "a remarkable thing to relate that 'THEY DID NOT BURN THE BRIDGE!''"84
Several days later, Robert Herriot, of Bachman's (German) Battery, described the battle's aftermath: "... In proceeding South we crossed the Yadkin River on the railroad bridge, which was planked. The river is deep and narrow, with high banks at the bridge, and here was done most of the fighting when Stoneman was repulsed. There was much debris lying around - broken caisons and limbers, dismounted field pieces[.] I noticed one piece that had been struck on the edge of the mouth and dismounted."85
The two forces were fairly evenly matched in number and firepower. But the Confederates held the advantage of position and fortification. The earthworks of Camp Yadkin stood the test, and provided the Confederates with their last victory in North Carolina.
or is it just implied 
If it is implied then how can they enforce it when all you need to say is I was crossing the tracks!!!! Ps. I know some guys that work for NFS in Linwood!
