Finding Rich Rich Mountain Mountain Today Past and Present RICH Rich Mountain Battlefield Civil War Site is located near the towns of Elkins and Beverly in Located in the heart of West Virginia, Rich Moun- Randolph County, West Virginia. Join the Campaign! tain Battlefield Civil War Site serves as a proud re- From US 219/250 in Beverly, WV: Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation (RMBF) is minder of the area's rich Civil War past — and as a MOUNTAIN working to preserve the Rich Mountain Battlefield and tribute to the importance of local history. Turn west onto Rich Mountain Road (Rich Mountain Camp Garnett, so that this vital part of our heritage can Sustained by members and donors, RMBF is a pri- Backway) and continue 5 miles up the mountain — remain an important part of our future. By acquiring vate, non-profit foundation working to protect and you’ll be traveling on the old Staunton-Parkersburg over 400 acres of protected ground, RMBF has a Turnpike! proven record of growth and improvement to better promote this significant Civil War site. BATTLEFIELD Battlefield: Park in the parking lot just past the top of serve our members and visitors. With over 400 acres of protected ground, includ- the mountain and follow trails to see the battlefield, RMBF relies on its members to support the preserva- ing the Battlefield and Camp Garnett, Rich Mountain Hart homestead site, and inscriptions carved by battle Battlefield has continually grown and developed to veterans on rocks in the stable yard. tion, improvements, and operations of the Civil War Site and Visitor Center. Your tax-deductible donation better serve members and visitors. Camp Garnett: Continue 1 1/2 miles further west down of $10 or more makes you a member of RMBF. Mem- to the western base of the mountain. From the parking bers receive periodic mailings on our progress and Trails through the site and interpretive signs tell lot, walk back to the large oak tree in the woods to see operations and the satisfaction of knowing they are the story of this crucial early battle, while a visitor’s the earthworks on the north side of the road. helping to preserve history. center in nearby Beverly supports the site with in- Field of Fire Park: (picnic area) 1/4 mi. further west For more information contact the: formation and resources. From US 33 West of Elkins, WV: Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation PO Box 227, Beverly, WV 26253 Exit onto WV Rt 151 west, follow across bridge. Phone (304) 637-RICH Turn south off 151 onto the Norton - Pumpkintown Road. Or see the web site at: Go 4 miles and turn left towards Mabie. www.richmountain.org Go 2 miles across creek and up hill. Turn left onto Rich Mountain Road. From this turn Field of Fire Park is 1 mile, Camp Garnett 1/4 mile further, and the Battlefield 1 1/2 mile more, at Please Notice... New Beverly Heritage the top of the mountain As you enjoy your visit to Rich Mountain Center Welcomes Battlefield, please do all that you can to protect the site. Observe all posted rules, including those Rich Mountain Visitors CIVIL WAR SITE against digging, artifact hunting, or using metal detectors. Visitors to Rich Mountain are invited to start their bat- tlefield tour at the Beverly Heritage Center in Beverly, The site contains rough ground that cannot be West Virginia. The Center offers information, exhibits, made perfectly safe without destroying its and souvenirs related to Rich Mountain, historic Beverly, historic character. Please exercise caution in and the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Byway. Featured moving about on the mountain! interpretive exhibits include a unique look at the people, places, and events surrounding the Battle of Rich Moun- tain and the Civil War in West Virginia.

Call (304) 637-RICH for operating hours, special events, or to make appointments for large tour groups. Or see Beverly, West Virginia www.historicbeverly.org for general information. On July 11, 1861, in one of the first Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA engagements of the American Civil The Battle of Rich Mountain The Victors War, Union troops under the command of General George B. McClellan routed the Brig. Gen. William Confederates holding the pass over Rich Rosecrans, USA Mountain near Beverly, (West) Virginia. The First Campaign of 1861 was a struggle to see which side would dominate Western Virginia and hold the handful of routes across the Allegheny Mountains. McClellan’s victory at Rich Mountain established Union control early on and allowed the western counties of Virginia to form the government at Wheeling that later led to a new state—West Virginia.  The Staunton- Parkersburg Turnpike was the only route in the area that wagons could use to get from the Shenandoah Valley to the Ohio River over the multiple walls of the Allegheny Mountains.  Confederates sought to seal the road, maintaining control of the region and preventing further Union advances. Their works at Camp Garnett blocked the Turnpike at Rich Mountain. But Union troops under McClellan approached from the West and confronted Control of a route through the Alleghenies seemed to offer a chance the Confederate field fortifications. of stabbing deep into the enemy’s heartland. But experience would  Guided by local Unionist David Hart, Rosecrans was sent show that the terrain was logistically impractical for both sides. by McClellan to flank Pegram’s Rebel outpost holding the turnpike at the Hart farm on top of Rich Mountain. The Vanquished  Rosecrans’ men attacked the Confederates, but despite The Story of David Hart being green, surprised, and outnumbered, the Col. Robert S. Garnett, CSA Southerners put up a fierce and extended defense. David Hart was a 22-year-old Virginian who lived with his parents on their farm at the top of Rich Mountain.  When the small band of defenders was finally overcome, He was descended from a distinguished family with roots in the American Revolution. Their family’s history a chaotic retreat followed. Some Southerners may be why the Harts—unlike many of their Randolph County neighbors—were staunch Unionists. surrendered; others fled through the woods and hills. General McClellan’s army moved up from the west while David Hart was preparing to get out of the war zone. But no sooner had the Union leadership come to recognize that the Rebels would probably have to be  After the battle, Confederates fortified another turnpike flanked out of their strong works at Camp Garnett, than David Hart was introduced to them as an expert pass to the southeast at Cheat Summit, and Beverly fell guide; someone who knew every track and trail on the mountain. into Union hands for most of the remainder of the War. Sure enough, David Hart led Rosecrans’ men on a circuitous march up the slopes in dense, wet forests,  Needing a hero after the Federal disaster at Bull Run, avoiding Confederate observation. The flanking march took so long that some wondered about the reliability Union forces summoned the triumphant General of their young guide, but at length, the Union forces came out just about where they needed to be. Lt. Colonel John David Hart of McClellan from Beverly to command the Army of the Ironically, the pitched battle was then fought on and about the Hart farm on the turnpike. David Hart had Pegram, CSA Randolph County Potomac. led the Union army home.