I’m sensing a theme to this week’s discoveries! While reading about General George Stoneman, I spotted this:
While commanding cavalry under Sherman in Georgia, Stoneman was captured, but soon exchanged. In the last weeks of the war, he led raids into Virginia that inspired the song The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by The Band.
I confess, I’m no fan of 1970s music – I tend to change channels when The Band comes on. I’d heard an offhand mention of the song being a Civil War reference, but had no idea it was so specific. Next time I hear those opening strums I might – might – give it a bit more of my attention.