Stoneman’s Raid author Chris Hartley to appear at Asheboro library

Author and historian Chris Hartley will talk about his new book, Stoneman’s Raid, 1865, during a Friends of the Library program at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The event, part of “Novel Destinations,” the library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, is free and the public is invited.

Stoneman’s Raid, 1865 recounts the massive cavalry offensive led by Union Maj. Gen. George Stoneman through six Southern states, including the North Carolina foothills. Stoneman’s troopers fought fierce skirmishes and destroyed supplies and facilities during the two-month attack.

Hartley’s book covers the planning, day-to-day execution and far-reaching after-effects of the raid. It also tells the story of the citizens in its path, and of the soldiers who covered more than 1,000 miles on horseback.

Wilkesboro native Hartley, who also has written several historical articles and is a frequent speaker on Civil War history, grew up in the shadow of historical markers denoting the largely-forgotten events, and has been chasing its history ever since. He has worked in marketing and communications, and now lives in Pfafftown.

Research for the book took him to 34 repositories in 12 states, and incorporated more than 200 books and newspapers.

“Novel Destinations” continues through the summer and invites readers 18 and over to explore the world through reading. Upcoming programs include Amber Nimocks, author of The Insider’s Guide to North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad (June 23) and coupon guru Angela Newsom (July 11).

Readers also are invited to fill out a form for each book they complete to be eligible in weekly drawings for prizes donated by local businesses. For more information, go here.