Camp Garnett

Camp Garnett (HMFNC)

Location: Coalton, WV 26257 Randolph County
Buy West Virginia State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 38° 52.207', W 79° 57.359'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 871 views
Inscription

Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War Site

Confederate Stronghold Guarding the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike

Confederate Brigadier General Robert S. Garnett ordered fortifications built here to control the turnpike and hold western Virginia for the South. The fort,built of earth and log entrenchments, overlooked the vital road. By July, 1861, Colonel John Pegram commanded Camp Garnett with 1,300 Virginia troops and four cannon.

Union Major General George B. McClellan was charged with securing western Virginia for the Union. On July 9, 1861, he brought over 5,000 troops to Roaring Creek Flats, two miles west of Camp Garnett. Hesitant to attack the well-entrenched Confederate position, McClellan sent Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans with 1,917 troops on a roundabout route to the south up Rich mountain. Guided by David Hart, whose family lived at the pass, the Federals' goal was to capture the turnpike above and behind Camp Garnett.

Gen. Robert S. Garnett
was killed at Corrick's Ford while retreating from his former position at Laurel Hill. He was the first Civil War general to fall in battle.

Gen. George B. McClellan
was called to Washington to lead the federal Army of the Potomac as a result of the victory at Rich Mountain.

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike
connected the Shenandoah Valley with the Ohio River and gave access to the vital B&O railroad. The battle to control western Virginia began at Philippi, with Union victory secured at Rich Mountain and Corrick's Ford. During the remainder of 1861, Union troops at Cheat Summit Fort faced off against Confederates at Camp Barlow, then Camp Allegheny, but Federal forces remained in control of the strategic road.
Details
HM NumberHMFNC
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, September 21st, 2014 at 1:46am PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)17S E 590569 N 4302881
Decimal Degrees38.87011667, -79.95598333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 38° 52.207', W 79° 57.359'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds38° 52' 12.42" N, 79° 57' 21.54" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)304
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 155 County Rte 37/8, Coalton WV 26257, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Nearby Markersshow on map
Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. What year was the marker erected?
  9. Who or what organization placed the marker?
  10. This marker needs at least one picture.
  11. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  12. Is the marker in the median?