Springtime raiding continued in late April 1863. John Marmaduke’s Confederate cavalry attacked Cape Girardeau, Missouri and also skirmished near the town of Jackson, while a second Confederate force under W.E. “Grumble” Jones threatened Altamont, Oakland, and Cranberry Summit, Maryland.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Grierson’s Union raiders rode through Central Mississippi, and Abel Streight’s Union force—many mounted on mules—moved from Tuscumbia, Alabama toward Rome, Georgia.
Cavalry raids such as these, which would strike into the rear of the enemy, effectively disrupting the enemy’s lines of communication and supply and often forced the opposition to utilize counter measures to protect vital military and civilian targets.
As mobile and fast moving forces, these cavalry raids were effective tactics which both the Union and Confederacy continued to deploy throughout the war.