Kesslers Cross Lanes

Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes

August 26, 1861

Kessler's Cross Lanes, as it appears today

The Battle of Cross Lanes near Carnifex Ferry in Nicholas County, was fought on August 26,1861, between the Federals under Col. E.B. Tyler, commanding the 7th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd, commanding the Confederates, whose forces are thought to have consisted of at least three regiments of infantry, a company of cavalry and three pieces of artillery. The Confederates attacked at about 5 a.m. while the Federals were preparing breakfast. The battle lasted about one hour, and the forces of Col. Tyler were completely routed. The Federal loss was 15 killed, 20 wounded and 38 taken prisoner. The Confederate loss was 5 killed and 6 wounded.

Col. Tyler and about 200 men escaped to Gauley Bridge, another 400 men returned through the mountains to Elk River and thence to Charleston and Gauley Bridge. Several other stragglers retreated through the forest to Gauley Bridge.

The dead were buried and the wounded cared for by Gen. Floyd's troops, and in his report to Gen. Robert E. Lee, Floyd said: "Tyler's command is said to be of their best troops. They were certainly brave men."

Text and Map source: Cohen, Stan, The Civil War in West Virginia - A Pictorial History, Pictorial Histories Printing Company, Charleston, WV, 1995.

Result(s): Confederate victory

Location: Nicholas County

Campaign: Operations in Western Virginia (June-December 1861)

Date(s): August 26, 1861

Principal Commanders: Col. Erastus Tyler [US]; Brig. Gen. John Floyd [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigades

Estimated Casualties: 285 total (US 245; CS 40)

Source: http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/wv/wv004.html

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.

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This page was updated on June 12, 1999