BATTLE of CARNIFEX FERRY
September 10, 1861
General WS Rosecrans [US] - Artists rendition of The battle at Carnifex Ferry - General John Floyd [CS]
Seeking to gain a foothold in Western Virginia from which to conduct military operations, Gen. John F. Floyd, C.S.A., with approximately 2,000 troops established Camp Gauley here on the Patterson Farm about one mile from the Carnifex Ferry.
General William Rosecrans, U.S.A., with nearly 7,000 troops was ordered from Clarksburg to march on Floyd. It was the afternoon of September 10, 1861 when the Federals came sight of Camp Gauley and the battle commenced. Rosecrans used only part of his men in the attack and the well entrenched Confederates were able to successfully drive back the Federal troops. With darkness approaching, Rosecrans decided to wait until morning before launching a major offensive.
General Floyd reassessed his situation and decided to withdraw across the Gauley River during the night rather than face a superior force in the morning. He accomplished this maneuver without alerting the Federal army. The following morning, the Federals moved into Camp Gauley without incident and a vital line was secured by the Union, thus enabling the movement for West Virginia Statehood to proceed.
Although Rosecrans could rightfully claim victory, the North lost more men than the South in the battle. Federal casualties were 130 with 27 deaths while Southern losses were less than 30 with no reported deaths.
Result(s): Union victory
Location: Nicholas County, West Virginia
Campaign: Operations in Western Virginia (June-December 1861)
Date(s): September 10, 1861
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William S. Rosecrans [US]; Brig. Gen. John Floyd [CS]
Forces Engaged: Brigades
Estimated Casualties: Federal - 130 with 27 deaths; Confederate - 30 with 0 deaths
Present day photographs of
CARNIFEX FERRY STATE BATTLEFIELD
This is a photograph of the Patterson House at Carnifex Ferry. The house was in the middle of the battle, and was later used by the Federals as a hospital. Today it is a State museum and contains many relics from the battle of Carnifex Ferry.
This is the grave of Private Granville Blevins, Company C of the 45th Virginia Infantry, C.S.A. He died of fever four days before the battle. During the Cilvil War many soldiers died of disease primarily due to poor sanitary conditions. Apparently, all of the battle casualties at Carnifex Ferry were returned to their home towns for burial.
A Soldier's Recollection
"We promptly returned fire, at this time our cannon sent a fearful shot against them ... then commenced the fight in earnest. Boom went the canonn of our enemy, the large balls whistling over our heads. Our men flat on the ground, .... Then came a terrible shot of a shell, it burst and fell all around us. The bullets fell like rain whistling and whizzing over our heads and into the logs we lay behind." Captain Robert Winn Snead, Company F, 50th Virginia Infantry, C.S.A.
Used in battle reenactments, this log breastworks stands near the site of the original entrencements designed by the Confederatesas Camp Gauley. These breastworks are maintained by the 36th Virginia, Company A.
Federal cannon on the high ground
Views of the Gauley River, looking both ways from the bluffs at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield.
Follow me my men, Charge !
In this area which was once a cornfield, Colonel John W. Lowe was struck and killed by enemy fire while shouting his final order to the men of the 12th Ohio. His death while leading his men made him a hero. He also became the first field grade officer killed in the Civil War. The Patterson House is across the field and at the bottom of the hill.
This page created on June 12, 1999
These pictures were taken by Terry Wass for the 36th Virginia, Company A.
If you use or borrow a photograph, please give the 36th Va, Co A credit.
© 1999 Terry L. Wass and the 36th Virginia, Company A
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