Battle of Cheat Mountain
Philippi Races - Rich Mountain - Kessler's Cross Lanes - Carnifex Ferry - Cheat Mountain - Greenbrier River - Camp Allegheny
Called The Battle of Cheat Mountain, also Battle of Cheat Mountain Summit, was a battle of the American Civil War, in the course of operations in western Virginia, from 12 - took place September 15, 1861.
After the defeat at the Battle of Rich Mountain, the Confederate forces had reorganized in the upper Tygart Valley and the valley of the Greenbrier River, both valleys are separated by the Cheat Mountain.
The troops of the Northern States under Brigadier General Joseph J. Reynolds were deployed between Fort Huttonsville and Elkwater in the Tygart Valley, at the cheat and pass the Cheat Mountain Summit.
After General Lee had taken over the command of the Confederate forces in northwestern Virginia, his goal was to unite its major units and get the Cheat Mountain in their own hands. His brigades were deployed as follows:
- 2 brigades east of Cheat Mountain in Camp Bartow on the Greenbrier River,
- 4 brigades in the upper Tygart Valley west of Cheat Mountain and
- The " Army of the Kanawha " 160 km to the south on Sewill Mountain.
The leadership of the troops was made difficult not only by the spatial separation, but also by the individuality of the Lee subordinate commanders. So Lee had to perform itself, because Brigadier General William W. Loring refused and Lee preferred to go out of the way as the " eternal " Diplomat an altercation at this time a terrain exploring the approach routes to the summit of Cheat Mountain.
Lee planned that Colonel Albert Rust should proceed with the other brigade along the Staunton - Parkersburg Turnpike to the summit with a brigade from Camp Bartow on a path through the forest and Brigadier General Henry R. Jackson. Colonel Samuel R. Anderson to attack the fort on the summit of the West. After the conquest of the fort Colonel Jesse S. Burk and Brigadier General Daniel S. Donelson were to attack either side of the Tygart Valley River to the north. A well studied plan, in which surprise was the most important factor, but took into account neither the site nor the adverse weather conditions.
On September 12, 1861 Colonel Rust began his approach through dense undergrowth. Jackson reached its initial position on the Turnpike without difficulty. Anderson surprised the Union troops on the Turnpike on the west side of the Cheat Mountains and occupied the Turnpike.
On the morning of September 13 Jackson employed the occupation of the fort by constant banter. He and Anderson were waiting for Rust's signal to attack. This did not materialize because of the rise of Rust was under an unfavorable star. After a march of about 30 km through rough terrain - climbing, and wading through the undergrowth hitting boggy terrain - sometimes reached his brigade advancing in single file in the pouring rain the summit. The occupation of the fort had not noticed his approach. Rust, however, did not benefit from this element of surprise, but first attacked a supply convoy half a mile from the Fort to. Coincidentally, there was Colonel Nathan Kimball with 300 men at a site reconnaissance in the vicinity and attacked the Confederates immediately. In the dense forests, there was a bitter struggle until Rust lost his nerve and his weakened and exhausted Brigade ordered the retreat. Rust said later that he had seen an overwhelming superiority over.
The element of surprise had been lost because of this error and coordinated action is no longer possible. The Union troops were gearing up for the defense of the attack and clarified fight vigorously with cavalry against Lee's troops. After two days of skirmishes and tactical maneuvers Lee broke off the battle and withdrew to Valley Head, WV and Camp Bartow.