Aug 4, 1864 - Confederate Cavalry Raid on Fort Fuller,WV

August 4, 1864

Confederate Cavalry Raid on Fort Fuller

New Creek aka Keyser, West Virginia 


Col . George R. Latham defending Fort Fuller; 11th West Virginia Infantry

vs.

Confederate Gen. John McCausland's cavalry & Gen. Bradley Johnson

* Confederate John McCausland's cavalry fights with Union defenses guarding the railroad. Confederates under Gen. Bradley Johnson advance up the hill toward the fort but are repelled by Union reinforcements

"On August 4, after raiding north into Pennsylvania and burning the town of Chambersburg, Confederate raiders under Generals John McCausland approached New Creek. The Rebels hoped they could damage the B&O Railroad." 

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=152788

"Built in 1862 as a Union defensive fortification to guard the railroad and New Creek. It was threatened on August 4, 1864, when Confederate Gen. John McCausland's cavalry rode on town. Fighting with Union troops began on outskirts and Confederate under Gen. Bradley Johnson advanced up the hill toward Fort Fuller. The strong Union position and arrival of reinforcements ended the attack."

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=180048

Fort Fuller
Defending New Creek Station

You are standing at the site of Fort Fuller (also called Fort Kelley), overlooking the Potomac River Valley ahead of you and the New Creek Valley behind you. On August 4, 1864, Confederate Gen. John McCausland attacked the fort from your right, as he retreated south after he burned Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, a few days earlier. The attack failed as a detachment of the 11th West Virginia Infantry (US) arrived to reinforce the Federals. The garrison lost only eight men, and the Confederates fled to Moorefield.

For most of the war, Federal regiments camped near the 
railroad to protect it. In August 1862, the 23rd Illinois Infantry began building Fort Fuller—named for Illinois Adjutant General Allen C. Fuller—here atop the ridge. It was later called Fort Kelley, for Gen. Kelley, who led the defense of the railroad in Maryland and West Virginia. Batteries on Queens Point and New Creek Mountain supported the fort, which had earthen walls, ditches, and five cannons.

Walter Lowry, born in Ohio on Oct. 15, 1845, enlisted in the 32nd Ohio Infantry on Aug. 1, 1861, and fought in most of the major campaigns including Vicksburg and Atlanta. He was promoted to sergeant on June 1, 1865, and was discharged on July 20, 1865. He lived in Keyser after the war and opened a pottery business. When it failed, he operated a successful market garden company that sold produce to resorts. He also taught at the Lincoln School for African American students. He died in Keyser on Apr. 29, 1921. Both he and his widow received a pension for his military service.



https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=196547


https://theclio.com/entry/96505

 

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