An Encyclopedia of Early Civil War Virginia
A wealth of primary sources exists concerning the Battle of Corrick's Ford, fought on July 13, 1861, in Tucker County, West Virginia, and its aftermath. Official reports from several Union commanders involved in the action, however, are conspicuously absent. It was customary for each colonel engaged in an action like this to submit a report…
Continue reading ➞ Colonel Ebenezer Dumont’s Report from Corrick’s Ford
I've written about John Lott, allegedly "The first colored man that shouldered a musket in the Union Army," previously for Spirit of '61. In particular, his involvement in a murder at Philippi the day after Union forces occupied the town. The information I’ve since uncovered is a fascinating and unconventional story that stretches from southern…
Continue reading ➞ New at Emerging Civil War: The Enigma of John Lott
The Battle of Corrick’s Ford (often misspelled Carrick’s), fought on July 13, 1861, marked the climax of the Tygart Valley–Cheat River campaign in northwestern Virginia. It ended in the complete rout of Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s army and his death. The action was a rearguard fight, with a small portion of Garnett’s force holding…
Continue reading ➞ What Confederate Units were at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford?
Fought on July 13, 1861, the Battle of Corrick’s Ford (often misspelled Carrick’s) marked the climax of the Tygart Valley–Cheat River campaign. It ended in the complete rout of Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s remaining army and his death. Remarkably, the victory was won by a relatively small Union force, only part of Thomas A.…
Continue reading ➞ What Federal Units were at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford?
When Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan arrived in northwestern Virginia in late June to take command of his Army of the West, also known as the Army of Occupation, he reorganized and expanded it into five brigades under Brig. Gens. William S. Rosecrans, Thomas A. Morris, Charles W. Hill, Newton Schleich, and Col. Robert L.…
Continue reading ➞ What Federal Units were at the Battle of Rich Mountain?
Determining the number of Confederates in the vicinity of Rich Mountain on July 11, 1861 is deceptively simple. There were only three infantry regiments, one cavalry company, and one active artillery battery present. Missing and incomplete records, however, considerably complicate efforts to quantify the Confederate strength. It is tempting to take the figures provided by…
Continue reading ➞ What Confederate Units were at the Battle of Rich Mountain?
Previously, we chronicled the events leading up to the action at Philippi, from April 17 to June 3, 1861. Here, we turn to the 42 days between the secessionist retreat from Philippi and the Federal occupation of the Cheat Mountain summit, a period marked by steady reinforcements on both sides, intermittent clashes as the armies…
Continue reading ➞ Timeline of Events in Northwest Virginia, June 4 – July 16, 1861
Over the years, Emerging Civil War has published a range of engaging articles on events in northwestern Virginia during the spring and summer of 1861. Contributors include not only our friend Jon-Erik Gilot, but also Edward Alexander, Kevin Pawlak, David T. Dixon, and Gordy Morgan. The topics run from campaign overviews to forgotten Confederate drink…
Continue reading ➞ The Tygart Valley / Cheat River Campaign at Emerging Civil War
Following the rout at Philippi on June 3, Confederate President Jefferson Davis promoted Robert S. Garnett, adjutant to Robert E. Lee, to brigadier general and placed him in command of the army in the northwest. Garnett, 41, was a former U.S. Army officer and assistant instructor of infantry tactics at West Point. He joined Col.…
Continue reading ➞ What Confederate Units were at the Battle of Belington / Laurel Hill?
On July 6, 1861, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan ordered Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Morris to advance on Confederate Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s position on Laurel Hill, near the small hamlet of Belington, also spelled Bealington or Beelington. McClellan instructed Morris to occupy a position “on the south side of Barker’s Mill Run, on…
Continue reading ➞ What Federal Units were at the Battle of Belington / Laurel Hill?
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