Tag: Battle of Rich Mountain

July 13, 1861: Battle of Corrick's Ford

On July 13, 1861, the Battle of Corrick’s Ford was fought in Tucker County. After the Confederate defeat at Rich Mountain in neighboring Randolph County two days earlier, General Robert Garnett pulled his men back to present-day Elkins along the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.

There, Garnett received bad intelligence that Union forces controlled the town of Beverly, located just to the south, so he turned his troops to the northeast.

Union Brigadier General Thomas Morris chased Garnett’s men to Shavers Fork in Tucker County and overtook them on July 13 at Kalers Ford.

The two sides fought a running battle down Shavers Fork to First and Second Corrick’s Ford, where the Southerners’ wagons bogged down in the mud and sand. At the second crossing, Robert Garnett was killed, making him the first general to die in battle during the Civil War. The Union forces captured a large number of Confederate soldiers and their baggage train at Corrick’s Ford. The remnants of the Southern troops eventually found their way to Monterey, Virginia. The Confederates never again controlled that portion of Western Virginia for more than a few days.

November 3, 1828: Birthday of Surveyor-Geologist Jedediah Hotchkiss

Jedediah Hotchkiss was born in Windsor, New York, on November 3, 1828. He also developed an interest in geology and surveying while teaching school in Augusta County, Virginia. When the Civil War broke out, Hotchkiss enlisted in the Confederate army and used his mapmaking skills to help “Stonewall” Jackson’s brilliant Shenandoah Valley Campaign.

July 11, 1861: Union Victory at Rich Mountain

On July 11, 1861, the Battle of Rich Mountain was fought in Randolph County. It was the climax of a successful Union campaign to seize control of Western Virginia early in the Civil War.

Confederate General Robert Garnett had established defensive positions at Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain. Suspecting an attack on Laurel Hill, Garnett placed only about a fourth of his men on Rich Mountain, under the command of Colonel John Pegram.

Union commander George McClellan surprised Garnett and dispatched the bulk of his force, led by General William Rosecrans, to Rich Mountain. Rosecrans trapped the Confederates and captured the mountain.

The battle had two important results. First, the victory propelled McClellan into command of the Army of the Potomac—the Union’s most significant army in the East. McClellan’s Western Virginia campaign, though, was the last of his military glory. As head of the Army of the Potomac, he was continually bested by Confederate generals Joseph Johnston and Robert E. Lee. More importantly for our state’s history, Rich Mountain ensured Northern control of the region and helped pave the way for the formation of West Virginia.

Union Victory at Rich Mountain: July 11, 1961

On July 11, 1861, the Battle of Rich Mountain was fought in Randolph County. It was the climax of a successful Union campaign to seize control of Western Virginia early in the Civil War.

Confederate General Robert Garnett had established defensive positions at Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain. Suspecting an attack on Laurel Hill, Garnett placed only about a fourth of his men on Rich Mountain, under the command of Colonel John Pegram.

Union commander George McClellan surprised Garnett and dispatched the bulk of his force, led by General William Rosecrans, to Rich Mountain. Rosecrans trapped the Confederates and captured the mountain.

The battle had two important results. First, the victory propelled McClellan into command of the Army of the Potomac—the Union’s most significant army in the East. McClellan’s Western Virginia campaign, though, was the last of his military glory. As head of the Army of the Potomac, he was continually bested by Confederate generals Joseph Johnston and Robert E. Lee. More importantly for our state’s history, Rich Mountain ensured Northern control of the region and helped pave the way for the formation of West Virginia.

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