In December 1863, Union General William Averell rode cavalry through Salem with one target: the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad depot. The railroad was a critical Confederate supply line between Richmond and the western theater. Averell's men burned warehouses, tore up track, occupied Salem for a day, then withdrew. The depot site is now part of downtown Salem. A historical marker on Main Street is the only trace.
Quick facts
- ·In December 1863, Union General William Averell led a cavalry raid through Salem to destroy the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad depot.
- ·The raid succeeded: warehouses burned, track torn up.
- ·Salem was occupied for a day before Averell withdrew.
- ·The railroad was a critical Confederate supply line between Richmond and the western theater.
- ·The depot site is now part of downtown Salem.
- ·A historical marker on Main Street in Salem is the only trace.
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