The Battle at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park The Battle at Droop Mountain November 6, 1863 Dallas B. Shaffer The Best Laid Plans…

n September of 1863, the C. Fremont. Under his command Federals were defeated at the were 32,000 troops that he placed IBattle of Chickamauga and at strategic points throughout the were being pressed westward by new state of West that the Confederates. General Sam had recently been admitted to Jones, who was commanding the Union by President Abraham the Confederate Department Lincoln’s proclamation in June of Western Virginia and East 1863. Tennessee from headquarters Brigadier at Dublin, Virginia, moved with The protection of the Baltimore General a large part of his forces to join and Ohio Railroad was Kelley’s Benjamin F. in pushing the Federals from chief responsibility. On this Kelley, Tennessee. At this time, H. W. occasion, the 11th and 12th Corps Commander Halleck, the Union General-in- were transferred from Washington of the Chief, conceived a bold plan which by the B&O to reinforce the he presented to the commander of Federal troops in Tennessee. To Department the Department of , protect the railroad, Kelley posted of West Virginia Brigadier General Benjamin F. heavy contingents of troops at Kelley. Halleck sought to relieve points from his headquarters at the pressure on the Federals by Clarksburg to Harpers Ferry in the sending cavalry units from West Eastern Panhandle. General Kelley Virginia to sever the vital Virginia assigned the defenses of central and Tennessee Railroad in the and southeastern West Virginia vicinity of Lynchburg. By this to Generals E. P. Scammon and move, Halleck hoped to force William W. Averell. A veteran Jones to withdraw from East of Civil War campaigns in West Tennessee to protect the railroad. Virginia, General Scammon commanded some 6,000 troops Kelley was the former commander concentrated at Charleston. of the 1st (West) Virginia Another contingent of 5,000 Regiment and leader of the troops under General Averell forces that wrested Philippi was located in Randolph County from the Confederates on June at Beverly, a little town some 15 3, 1861, in the first land battle miles south of what was then of the first campaign of the known as Leadsville (Elkins). Civil War. Surviving the wound he received in the chest during Under command of General that engagement, Kelley became Sam Jones, the Confederates commander of the Federal forces in West Virginia were located in West Virginia, following such at points along the Alleghenies notables as General George B. from Princeton to Mill Point, McClellan; General William 34 miles north of Lewisburg. S. Rosecrans, whose career With headquarters at Mill Point, was ended by the Battle of Colonel W. L. Jackson’s command Chickamauga; and General John was rather widely distributed in the surrounding area. General reputation as an Indian fighter, ’ brigade was at following his graduation for Lewisburg, while Colonel M. J. West Point, and he had already Ferguson held the 14th and 16th distinguished himself in many Virginia Cavalries in readiness. battles in the Civil War. Averell Under Lee’s orders, Brigadier was with McClellan during the General John Imboden was abortive Peninsular Campaign, encamped near Bridgewater, east later participating in the bloody of Beverly. Maintaining pressure affair at Fredericksburg in on the Federals in this area and December, 1862. His transfer to Brigadier trying to occupy as many of the West Virginia in May of 1863 and General enemy as possible, Imboden’s his vigorous attempts to cope with William W. primary objective was to strike the guerilla bands and Confederate Averell, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at raids further enhanced his 4th Separate the earliest opportunity to prevent reputation. Brigade, its being used to transport troops to Tennessee. Soon after Averell arrived in West U.S. Army Virginia, many infantry units were Kelley informed General Halleck converted to “mounted infantry” that part of the Confederates regiments. These regiments had been withdrawn from West were an innovation designed Virginia and that the offensive to cope, particularly, with the against the Virginia and guerilla forays and embarrassing Tennessee Railroad would be Confederate raids which had launched from Beverly. According destroyed oil and other properties, to Kelley’s plan as disclosed to as well as crippled the Baltimore Halleck, Averell was to move to and Ohio. A delegation from West Lewisburg, while another column Virginia visited Lincoln earlier, was to leave Charleston to arrive in February of 1863, to request Brigadier there at the same time. As the this change from foot to horse. General two arms of the pincer movement Following Lincoln’s intercession John Echols, converged upon Lewisburg, Kelley with Halleck, this request was 1st Brigade, hoped that the Confederates granted. The mounted infantry Army of in Greenbrier, Pocahontas and units were mobile and could cope Southwest Monroe counties would be driven with Confederate cavalry raids, out or trapped between the two. reverting to normal infantry Virginia, C.S.A. At Lewisburg, General Averell was tactics when confronting an to determine if circumstances entrenched position. warranted the completion of his drive to sever the Virginia As the Federal cavalry advanced and Tennessee. With Halleck’s against the Confederates in concurrence, Kelley issued the eastern Tennessee, Averell left appropriate orders to Averell Beverly on November 1, 1863, and left his headquarters to with orders to arrive in Lewisburg coordinate the movement from on Saturday, November 7, at Charleston. “two p.m.” Averell’s command consisted of the 2nd, 3rd, and Kelley had good reason to entrust 8th West Virginia Mounted such a hazardous movement Regiments; the 10th West Virginia behind Confederate lines to Infantry; two batteries of the 1st General Averell. This 31-year- West Virginia Light Artillery; old cavalry officer had earned a the 28th Ohio Infantry; the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry; and Major outposts at Meadow Bluff. The Thomas Gibson’s (Pennsylvania) first obstacle encountered by Independent Cavalry Battalion. As Averell was Colonel W. L Jackson’s the citizens of Beverly observed command at Mill Point. Jackson’s the departure of the Federals, they headquarters there were protected were likely reminded of General by part of the 19th Virginia George B. McClellan’s feat at the Cavalry and an artillery battery. battle at Rich Mountain some two The remainder of the 19th had years earlier. Perhaps Averell could been sent into Nicholas County imitate his former commander’s on an expedition. At Marlin’s successes in West Virginia. Bottom (Marlinton), Jackson had stationed the 20th Virginia The column that left Charleston Calvary, while other detachments two days later was commanded were located at Dunmore and by General Alfred N. Duffié, a Edray. Baltimore nd regular army officer.T he 2 New and Ohio Railroad th Creek West Virginia Cavalry, the 34 (Keyser) Ohio Mounted Infantry and an artillery battery (a total of some 1,000 men) were in this column. Duffié proceeded eastward over the Lewisburg pike until he halted 15 miles west of Lewisburg at Meadow Bluff on November Petersburg 6. Preoccupied with Averell’s N advance, the Confederates were unaware of Duffié’s movements Beverly until he contacted the

Franklin

Monterey, VA

Huntersville

Droop Mountain Mill Point

White Brigadier Sulphur Springs General Lewisburg Callaghan, VA William W. Averell’s November 1863 raid

Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Salem, VA Mill Point

earning of Averell’s The stillness of the remote little advance upon Huntersville, town was rudely disrupted that LJackson concentrated his morning by the small arms command at Mill Point. While fire of Federal skirmishers and drawing in his forces, Jackson sharpshooters moving against Mill sent a message to General Echols Point. Soon Lurty’s two 12-pound at Lewisburg informing him of howitzers opened fire upon the enemy movements and his the main force of the Federals, intention to engage them. Echols forcing them to withdraw to a replied that he would immediately sheltered position. As a result, Col. William L. move to his support. the Confederate artillery held the Jackson, Federals at bay for some time. 19th Virginia Jackson ordered Colonel William Cavalry W. Arnett to return with the 20th Averell’s advance units Virginia from Marlinton, eight confronting Jackson were miles north of Mill Point. Captain commanded by Colonel James Marshall’s detachment returned N. Schoonmaker of the 14th from Edray, while Lt. George W. Pennsylvania. Schoonmaker was Siple, commanding a company at supported by the 3rd West Virginia Dunmore, was ordered to make a that had rejoined him after reconnaissance to determine the failing to trap the 20th Virginia Federal strength and disposition. at Marlinton. The 3rd had moved For some time Siple was isolated from Huntersville over the road in Pocahontas County by the rapid toward Cackleytown, when the movements of Averell’s column. timely arrival of the 19th from Col. James N. Colonel William P. Thompson, Nicholas County permitted the Schoonmaker, with the 19th in Nicholas County, 20th to escape to Mill Point. 14th Pennsylvania returned just in time to prevent Upon the withdrawal of the Cavalry the 3rd West Virginia Mounted Confederates from Marlinton, from cutting off Arnett’s retreat other units of Averell’s column from Marlinton. occupied the town.

Far into the night, Jackson was Suspecting that reinforcements busily aligning his troops and were moving to aid Schoonmaker, preparing for the impending Jackson sent out a reconnaissance struggle. He placed Arnett in party of 30 men under Captain L. command of all infantry and R. Exline. Driving in the Federal ordered him to station them pickets and retrieving all of his by detachments in defensible men safely, Exline returned to positions along Stamping Creek. report that artillery and cavalry Captain Lurty’s two artillery reinforcements were joining pieces were placed on a hill south Schoonmaker. Aware that he of the village. The following could not hold his position against morning, Averell’s advance units the superior fire power and long probed Jackson’s position. range of the Federal artillery, The long Confederate column finally retreated the seven miles from Mill Point, through a beautiful cleared valley to Droop Mountain.

Jackson prepared his troops to delaying the Federal pursuit as retreat when the batteries opened much as possible. As the Federal against him. artillery lobbed shells to burst overhead and near their ranks, Schoonmaker was reinforced the Confederates retreated by the 8th West Virginia and under cover of hills and through Captain C. T. Ewing’s battery timber wherever possible. The of the 1st West Virginia Light long Confederate column finally Artillery. Leaving Marlinton retreated the seven miles from about dawn, these units had Mill Point, through a beautiful hastened to Schoonmaker’s cleared valley to Droop Mountain. support when Jackson’s The first encounter of this batteries announced that the campaign proved to be merely a battle had begun. Dismounting delaying action, but Jackson had the cavalry, Schoonmaker a position in mind against which dispatched Colonel Oley with Averell would find a movement his 8th and the 14th against the more difficult. Confederate right. Placing the artillery on the summit of the General Averell arrived at Mill hill to the center, he sent the Point with two infantry regiments 2nd and 3rd West Virginia to just as the Confederates began support the artillery and to move to retreat. Within 34 miles of against the Confederate left. As his objective, Lewisburg, Averell Ewing’s artillery opened fire, avoided pressing the Confederates Schoonmaker ordered a general too closely, attempting to keep advance upon Jackson’s position. them as far from Lewisburg as possible. Averell’s advance Colonel Jackson could hold followed the Confederates through his line for only a few minutes Hillsboro, but they were never under the heavy cannon fire closer than 200 yards from their and musketry, and about 11 rearguard. o’clock, the Confederates began to withdraw. With the 19th Attempting to cut the 19th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel Thompson from the main Confederate checked the Union charge until column, Averell sent three the infantry and artillery could mounted regiments to flank the escape. Sending the major party column. When the 19th arrived of the 19th with the Confederate at the base of Droop Mountain rearguard, Thompson remained about three that afternoon, it with two officers and 30 men to was confronted by these mounted hold a hill under a shower of shell regiments. The isolation of the and grapeshot while the infantry 19th was prevented by some well moved out safely. directed shells from Lurty’s battery that forced the Union Thompson retired slowly while regiments to withdraw. Droop Mountain

ackson’s exhausted spur commanding the frontal 4th Separate troops arrived at the summit approaches. Brigade, of Droop Mountain late in 8th Army Corps, J th the evening and immediately Including the 19 on picket duty U.S.A. began the placement of artillery. at the front, Jackson hoped to Jackson disposed his units to hold this position with about 750 3,855 officers block the main road to Lewisburg, men against Averell’s estimated and men which then extended across the strength of 3,500 until the mountain. The northern slope arrival of General Echols. Some 8/31/1863 of Droop Mountain was partially of Jackson’s troops were posted cultivated, and strips of woodland to guard the Locust Creek somewhat concealed the approach Road, while some were still from the pike. To gain this cut off in Pocahontas County. 1st Brigade, position, the Federals would have While his fortifications were Army of to move over low, rolling hills and being constructed, Jackson sent across difficult ravines to attack another dispatch to Echols. In this Southwest from any direction. dispatch, he misinformed Echols Virginia, concerning Averell’s strength, C.S.A. The crest of the mountain was based on faulty reports from his densely covered with laurel and scouts. General Echols was advised Approximately undergrowth, and from this of the impending battle and 2,500 men naturally fortified position, requested to come immediately to engaged at Jackson could observe the Union support Jackson. forces about Hillsboro, two miles Droop Mountain distant, as well as the plain known By this time, Echols had moved as Little Levels below his position. his brigade about halfway to From his camp near Hillsboro, Droop Mountain. Having departed Averell faced the great obstacle Lewisburg about nine o’clock on presented by the steep mountain. the morning of November 5, Echols His advance would have to had advanced to within 14 miles of proceed through the open fields Jackson’s position and encamped and over the pike in the face of for the night. Receiving Jackson’s Confederate artillery. urgent pleas for help, Echols moved the remaining distance to arrive at Jackson constructed temporary Droop Mountain about nine o’clock fortifications to meet the attack the following morning. expected to come the following morning. Arnett was assigned Before leaving Lewisburg, Echols the center position overlooking dispatched the 16th Regiment and the pike. His 20th Virginia part of the 14th to Meadow Bluff spent the night and part of the to guard the approaches and to next morning constructing picket the roads from Kanawha and breastworks of logs, stone and Nicholas counties. Major James earth. Jackson placed Lurty’s Nounnan, commanding the 16th, howitzers on a projecting was placed near Bunger’s Mill at Meadow Bluff. A squadron of before the battalion. This unit the 14th, under Captain James was located about 400 yards to A. Strain, took a position on the right of the batteries. The 22nd the road leading from Nicholas Virginia was placed in the rear of County. Echols soon realized the the batteries for their support. wisdom of protecting himself Assigning immediate command of against a drive to his rear which his brigade to Colonel George S. would have put his command in a Patton, Echols assumed personal compromising position. supervision of the right wing of the line. Jackson remained at the The remainder of the 14th center of the line with Colonels Virginia Cavalary arrived at Arnett and Cochran of the 14th Jackson’s position that night. and the 20th Virginia. Colonel Jackson placed two companies Thompson was entrusted with the of the 14th on the extreme left defense of the left flank with the to protect the rear and left 19th Virginia. Colonel flank, while the other companies George S. reinforced Arnett’s 20th Virginia Echols assigned the disposition Patton, at the center. When Echols of the artillery to Major William Echols’ arrived and assumed command McLaughlin of the Confederate of the position the following artillery branch. McLaughlin Brigade morning, the Confederates at placed the batteries of Jackson and Droop Mountain enthusiastically Captain George B. Chapman, a threw down the gauntlet to the 22-year-old Monroe County youth, Federals confronting them. The to support the infantry. Jackson’s reinforcements were greeted by two artillery pieces, one a parrott the music of the band, as battle gun, were placed with Lurty’s flags were unfurled and the battery. This unit was temporarily Confederate cheers announced assigned to Echols from Jenkin’s their arrival to the Federal cavalry brigade. Chapman’s battery commander preparing the assault. was without two of its artillery pieces which had been left behind Approving Jackson’s disposition for repairs at the Dublin ordinance of the troops, Echols took further depot. His battery of four guns measures to protect the vulnerable consisted of two howitzers (a 12- flanks.T he 26th Battalion, under and a 24- pounder) and two rifled Colonel George M. Edgar, was pieces. His battery was placed in dispatched with one artillery a position to the rear on a hill in piece to guard the old road from easy supporting distance of the Hillsboro to Falling Spring, a infantry. road by which Averell might have moved southeast to cut off Echols The most vulnerable point in the from the rear. One rifle piece Confederate lines was the left from Chapman’s battery was later flank defended by the 19th. Its detached and sent to Edgar. collapse would allow a Federal advance to the rear of the entire The 23rd Battalion Virginia position. Early that morning, Infantry was placed on the right Thompson sent 25 men, under of the main road. Company C was Lieutenants Mark V. Jarrett and placed on the right of the main William W. Boggs, to relieve road, while companies A and F the two companies of the 14th were deployed as skirmishers stationed there the previous Map showing battle positions in relationship to park area.

Union Confederate

night. Before the arrival of Echols, Having been misinformed by Jackson had ordered Thompson Jackson’s underestimating to reinforce that point. Thompson Averell’s strength, Echols was then sent another 100 men to the confident in his ability to hold left, under Captain J. W. Marshall, his position. Engagements in with orders to dismount the men this theater during the past few and send the horses to the rear. months had been encouraging for Jackson’s anxiety over the left the Confederates. Unaware of the flank soon induced him to send menace posed by General Duffié’s the remainder of the 19th there advance from Charleston, General with Colonel Thompson. Echols felt prepared for the worst. Averell Attacks

s dawn broke on the Meanwhile, Averell directed morning of November 6, units to move against the Averell was busily arranging Confederate right and center, A th his units for battle. Averell first Colonel Schoonmaker led the 14 sent out three infantry companies and Keeper’s battery against the to probe the Confederate position. Confederate right. Driving the The skirmishing attack proved Confederate skirmishers before the position to be too strong to him, Schoonmaker placed his make a frontal attack practical, artillery in position about two- Colonel whereupon Averell decided to thirds of a mile from the lines. Augustus Moor, send a detachment far to the The battle was joined about 11 28th Ohio west to outflank the Confederates o’clock that morning when the Volunteer and to fall upon their left. While Confederate artillery opened this flanking movement was in up on Schoonmaker’s battery, Infantry progress, Averell sent other units which directed its fire toward the and artillery to move against the Confederate center. right and center to divert the attention of the Confederates. Schoonmaker’s artillery fire fell among the horses and Averell assigned the flanking Confederate batteries. Jackson, movement to a veteran of Lurty and one piece of Chapman’s campaigns in West Virginia who battery returned the fire in this had proved his abilities in many duel which lasted about a half similar operations, Colonel hour. Directed some 500 feet Augustus Moor, commander of below them, the Confederate the 28th Ohio Infantry. Moor fire was accurate and forced the was supported by the 10th West Federal artillery to withdraw. The Virginia and Captain Julius Confederate artillery continued Jaehne’s company of cavalry. to shell the Federal infantry Leaving camp about nine and cavalry whenever a target that morning, Moor led his was exposed. Fearing that the company some four miles in a Confederates, if not pressed northwesterly direction with continuously, would detect Moor’s the aid of a local guide. He then flanking movement, Schoonmaker turned due south for about an moved his artillery from the right hour, having marched some nine toward the center of the line. He miles in a semicircle to a point managed to fire several telling near the Confederate left without rounds before he was again forced having been detected. Shortly to change position by the heavy after noon, his advance contacted Confederate artillery fire. About the Confederate skirmishers. one o’clock, the three pieces of Guided by the sounds of gunfire Federal artillery firing upon the at the Confederate camp, Moor Confederate center were again continued to advance upon the forced to withdraw by Jackson’s left flank. battery and Chapman’s rifled Map showing battle positions throughout the day of November 6, 1863.

Drawn from partial survey by Henry Topping.

piece. In the meantime, two hand. Averell then ordered the artillery pieces were advanced attack to commence upon the up the road and opened up on center. Leaving one company of the 22nd Virginia to the left of the 2nd to guard the horses of the Chapman, only to be silenced and mounted infantry, the 2nd, 3rd, driven away by Chapman’s and and 8th West Virginia regiments Lurty’s batteries. attacked. After an hour of hard fighting, exposed at times to the By the sounds of heavy fighting Confederate artillery, the three on the left flank at about 1:45, regiments moved up the mountain General Averell decided that and gained a position within 50 Colonel Moor had engaged the yards of the line in front of the Confederates and that the time Confederate center and batteries. for the frontal assault was at The Confederates repulsed the first charge, and theF ederals fell horses and confusion, Colonel back to regroup for a renewed Harris arrived just in time to hold assault. In the meantime, the the line. The 10th took a position Confederate commander had on the right of the 28th as the weakened the center to reinforce assault was renewed. the left flank that was wavering and threatened to collapse. Erroneously informed that the Federals were trying to gain the On the left flank, the Confederates rear by a more circuitous route were sheltered by timber, than actually taken by Moor, while the Federals advanced Colonel Thompson had moved in line of battle through heavy far to the extreme left. When undergrowth. Colonel Thompson the firing began, Thompson was vainly struggling to resist the realized his error and returned overwhelming numbers of Federals quickly to reinforce Captain under Colonel Moor with the 28th Marshall. It was at this point that Colonel Ohio and the 10th West Virginia. the Confederates charged and Thomas M. To prevent being outflanked, drove the Federal skirmishers Harris, which was constantly attempted, back to their main body. 10th Thompson had extended his line Thompson then sent a request West Virginia much farther than his strength for reinforcements to Colonel Volunteer would warrant. Jackson at the center. The Union troops pushed the Confederates Infantry Colonel Moor’s advance back and forced their line to give skirmishers had been joined way gradually. Quite a number of by three companies of the 28th the Confederates were unnerved when they arrived in front of by the overwhelming odds, and Thompson’s position and were knowing the importance of confronted by a hedge constructed holding his flank, Thompson of logs and brush. The 28th moved repeatedly tried to rally his forward in line of battle as Colonel troops. Thomas M. Harris brought up the 10th West Virginia, just in The Confederates stubbornly time. Trees and undergrowth defended the left flank against limited their view to about 25 or the heavy force of Federals and 30 yards, and the Confederates made several desperate attempts allowed them to approach within to break the strength of the drive, that distance before opening fire. fully aware that the loss of this Rising with a “Rebel” yell, the flank meant the loss of the battle. Confederates greeted the 28th As often as they took a stand, with a deadly fire and charged the Confederates were driven the wavering line. This was the back. Realizing their advantage critical moment for the Federals, in numbers, the Federals pressed and Colonel Moor saved the day vigorously against the wavering by ordering his regiment to hit line. the ground and fire by file.T he sudden disappearance of the Although General Echols was regiment and the increased fire aware that the center and right through the under brush checked were heavily engaged, he knew the Confederate charge. Having that he must reinforce the left some difficulty in bringing up flank to prevent being encircled. his regiment through the cavalry He ordered Major Blessing to move his 23rd Battalion from the the Confederates to fall back center to the left flank. With six because the left was giving way. companies, numbering about 300 Jackson remained at the center men, Blessing deployed his troops until the last two artillery pieces to the right of Captain Marshall were withdrawn. Major McLaughlin and led his battalion in a charge, perhaps prevented the capture driving the Federals back before of Echols’ entire command by he was checked by a heavy volley keeping the artillery in action of musketry. Two companies which checked the Federal advance of the 14th Cavalry arrived, and until the troops withdrew. Colonel Thompson deployed them to the left of his line where The left flank finally gave way the Federals were making their completely to Moor’s repeated strongest assault. In spite of the charges. Detailing one company reinforcements, the Confederates of the 28th and one of the 10th were then forced back to a fence to march in the rear as a small running parallel to the lines which reserve and to guard his flanks, Lt. Col. they held for a short time. Moor ordered the finalF ederal William P. charge against the left flank. Thompson, Within 300 yards of the turnpike, With cheers completely drowning 19th Virginia Thompson was facing the Union out the Rebel yells, the Union lines some 20 yards away. He infantry pressed forward until the Cavalry failed to rally the 23rd Battalion left was forced back to the hill and detachments of the 14th, where the Confederate artillery which were giving way in some was stationed. The artillery had confusion. Echols observed the just begun to withdraw, and at renewed assault on his center this time, the 8th joined Moor’s and right as the left was falling left. Then a wild scene ensued – back; at this time the fighting the Union troops maintained a was heavy along the entire line. constant fire into the retreating As a last measure, Echols sent Confederates, killing and wounding Colonel Patton with companies artillery horses, while Confederate A, E and I of the 22nd Virginia to officers vainly urged their men to support Thompson, but Patton make another stand. Confederate soon informed Echols that the infantrymen were dispersed by Confederates were hopelessly their own cavalry as the officers outnumbered and that the left drove cannon and caissons through flank was on the verge of collapse. the confused ranks.

At the same time, the 2nd, 3rd, and Within a few minutes, the 8th West Virginia pressed toward Confederates had faded from the center to join the left segment sight into the woods south of of Colonel Moor’s detachment the turnpike. When Moor’s right of some 1,175 men. At the time, wing came up to the pike, no the Federals on the right were Confederates remained but the not pressing, and Echols went to dead and wounded. Farther up the the center to help Jackson rally pike, a part of Moore’s detachment the men to resist the attacking fired at two rapidly moving spring infantry. At Jackson’s suggestion, wagons and killed both horses. the artillery began to move to the They captured the wagons and rear. The center held for a half- found them loaded with wounded hour longer, when Echols ordered Confederates. As Averell arrived, The battlefield as seen looking north from the Lookout Tower at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park.

the 28th was ordered to pursue the Soon after his escape from Confederates. Droop Mountain, Echols learned of a greater and perhaps more The sudden collapse of the dangerous trap confronting Confederate lines, accompanied him. From Meadow Bluff, a by heavy Federal artillery shelling messenger informed him of the and strong infantry charges, Federal column under General made an orderly retreat almost Duffie, estimated to be over impossible. The 26th, guarding 2,000 strong, which was rapidly the Locust Creek Road, was cut advancing toward Lewisburg. The off by Averell’s rapid movements, Confederates at Droop Mountain but they later rejoined the main numbered about 2,000 men, body. Echols’ withdrawal from while Echols estimated Averell’s the position at Droop Mountain, strength at about 7,000. begun about 4 o’clock that afternoon, saved his command Still some 28 miles from from Averell’s trap. Lewisburg, Averell hoped to keep the Confederates from Averell arrived at the camp returning there too quickly. If just as the Confederates were the Confederates moved too withdrawing. Assigning details to slowly, Echols might be trapped care for the wounded and dead, by Duffié, who was scheduled to Averell brought up the horses of arrive in Lewisburg the following the dismounted cavalry. Gibson’s day. Descending the mountain Battalion; Ewing’s Battery; the the following morning, Averell’s 2nd, 3rd and 8th West Virginia; and hopes were boosted by the sight the 14th Pennsylvania pursued of several campfires to the the Confederates some seven east, which indicated that the or eight miles until they were Confederates were somewhat halted by darkness. Federal dispersed. If they took time cavalry continued to harass to regroup before continuing the Confederate rearguard, southward, the best laid plans to be checked temporarily on might be realized. one occasion by a Confederate counter charge. Objective Denied

eneral Echols led his entire column in pursuit. conducted the retreating Before he was stopped by a GConfederate column over burned bridge, Duffié succeeded the four miles of narrow road on in capturing a few prisoners, Droop Mountain, while Colonels along with 100 head of cattle and Jackson and Ferguson defended two caissons. Duffié returned to the rear against the continuing Lewisburg, where he destroyed Federal cavalry attacks. Colonel large quantities of Confederate Patton returned to the rear in a Commissary and ordnance stores, futile attempt to rally the men tents and the knapsacks of the Lt. Col. and restore order. Unnerved 22nd Virginia. Averell entered Andrew S. by the ordeal of battle and the Lewisburg that afternoon, and Barbee, Federal cavalry and artillery upon Duffié’s arrival, ordered him 22nd Virginia closely pursuing them, many to return the following day to Infantry Confederates dropped from Union, where the Confederates the ranks to escape into the were thought to have made a woods, most of whom rejoined stand. Learning that Echols had “Poor me, with the main body later. Unable to retreated farther south and that shock, [Corp. Wil- repair a broken-down carriage, he had been reinforced by the 36th liam S.S.] Morris & the Confederates abandoned and Virginia from Princeton, Duffié [2nd Corp. William partially concealed with brush again returned to Lewisburg. H.] Hubbard of a brass cannon, which was later Averell then ordered him to return our old company, recovered by the Federals. to Charleston, which he did four together with other days later, having been delayed by true friends & gal- At Frankford, the Confederate a heavy snow storm. lant soldiers now commander allowed his troops ‘sleep their last two hours to eat and rest after Determining the drive against the grueling marches and fighting the Virginia and Tennessee to be sleep’ on Droop of the past few days. After the impractical because of a shortage Mountain. My loss units were regrouped and order of rations and the condition of his is great. I mourn was restored, Echols continued troops, Averell moved eastward sincerely.” the retreat southward through with his cavalry, mounted infantry Lewisburg, crossed the Greenbrier and Ewing’s Battery. With the River before dawn, and proceeded 28th, Keeper’s Battery and the 10th through Monroe County, from West Virginia, Colonel Moor was which many of his troops were ordered to return to Beverly with enlisted. Echols led his troops the prisoners and wounded. as far south as Sinking Creek in Giles County. Moving through White Sulphur Springs to a point near Callaghan, General Duffié entered Lewisburg five miles west of Covington, about nine o’clock on the morning Virginia, Averell contacted of November 7. Sending the 2nd General Imboden, who had moved West Virginia Cavalry to follow down to protect the Covington the Confederates closely, Duffié area. Unwilling to commit his Although a qualified success for Averell, the Battle of Droop Mountain might be considered a tactical victory for the Confederates…

Casualties diminished and exhausted Mountain might be considered 119 Union command to a general a tactical victory for the 275 Confederate engagement against Imboden, Confederates, for Echols survived Averell swung northward over the the main thrust of the Federal Back Creek Road to Franklin. offensive and rendered Averell’s Part of his troops moved through command unable to complete the Hightown, while the 14th entered raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Monterey. At Petersburg, Averell Railroad, his primary objective. halted his command for rations Moreover, Echols managed to and forage, and on November 17, escape the closing arms of the he arrived at New Creek (Keyser) pincer movement with his forces with 27 prisoners, some captured in the main unimpaired. horses and several hundred head of cattle. To some degree responsible for the creation of the state of Casualties at Droop Mountain West Virginia, Lincoln referred included 119 Union and an to Averell’s victory at Droop estimated 275 Confederates killed, Mountain to boost the sagging wounded and missing. Reports in morale of the Federals in the Wheeling Intelligencer indicate Tennessee, who had recently been that more than 150 Confederates defeated at Rogersville by General were brought from this campaign Sam Jones. According to Federal and confined in the Athenaeum, commander, General Burnside, a federal prison at Wheeling. This the Droop Mountain victory battle, in which brothers and greatly encouraged his troops. neighbors fought under opposing Although General Kelley, the flags, represented Civil War in its departmental commander in West truest and most tragic form. The Virginia, informed Washington heaviest fight occurred on the that all organized bodies of left flank where former neighbors Confederates had been driven in the 10th West Virginia and from the state, the Confederates 19th Virginia met in the closest returned within 10 days to their combat. While one brother fought former posts. Soon General Jones against the Confederates on the was on hand to inspect Echols’ left flank, another with the 22nd command, but the Confederates Virginia defended the right. were unable to stop Averell’s drive the following month when he Although a qualified success succeeded in disrupting the vital for Averell, the Battle of Droop railroad. About the author

Dallas B. Shaffer was a member of the faculty at Fairmont State College, where he taught history. At the time this booklet was prepared, he was working toward his doctoral degree in the field of history at West Virginia University, while working part-time as historian for the Conservation Commission, now the Department of Natural Resources.

Shaffer’s other published work consists of a 12-page booklet, The Battle of Carnifex Ferry. Coupled with the work on Droop Mountain, the booklets present a two-part series on two major Civil War battles in West Virginia.

These two booklets are intended to serve as authoritative works on the two battles, portraying accurately the events that took place in the struggle between the Union and the Confederacy. Shaffer studied official records in Washington for much of his information. DROOP MOUNTAIN BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK HC 64, Box 189 Hillsboro, WV 24946 304-653-4254

WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES Parks and Recreation Section 324 4th Avenue South Charleston, WV 25303 304-558-2764 www.wvstateparks.com 1–800–CALL WVA