July 17-21, 1861 - The Battle of Scary Creek > The Battle of Charleston (1861) / Skirmish at Blackburn's Ford
July 17, 1861
The Battle of Scary Creek (AKA Battle of Scary)
Saint Albans (Putnam County) West Virginia; opposite Nitro
Gen George B. McClellan: Jacob D. Cox (with the 1st and 2nd KY and the 13th and 14th OH); Lieutenant Colonel Carr White with a detachment of the 12th OH > Col. John W. Lowe - 12th Ohio Infantry
vs.
Gen. Henry A. Wise > Col. George S. Patton > Capt. Albert Gallatin Jenkins's Rangers
* "First Confederate Victory in the Kanawha Valley"; a small victory and shortlived: Wise then immediately abandoned the Kanawha Valley
* Henry Wise is a former VA Governor. And, yes: that is the grandfather of Gen. George S. Patton of WWII fame
* "A group of Federal officers across the Kanawha River saw the buildings burning and thought it a sign of a Union victory. They crossed and rushed to the front to congratulate their comrades only to be captured. The five officers Colonel Charles DeVilliers, Colonel William Woodruff, Lieutenant Colonel George Neff, Captain George Austin and Captain John Hurd were all sent to Richmond’s Libby Prison."
* Information seems to come largely from a single book by Terry Lowry, The Battle of Scary Creek: Military Operations in the Kanawha Valley, April–July 1861. Quarrier Press; 2 edition (April 1998).
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=20787 |
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| Scary Creek itself |
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| The Kanawah River |
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=198049 Erected by the United Daughters of Confederacy St. Albans Chapter Marking the Battle of Scary July 17, 1861 |
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| Unfortunately this marker detoriated before it was entered into the database. Fortunately, a dedicated historian published the picture bellow, allowing me to transcribe it. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=268902  Scary Creek: A First Battle —Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail— The 1861 Kanawha Valley Campaign Union and Confederate leaders both wanted control of the Kanawha Valley, an approach to the COnfederate capital at Richmond, Virginia, filled with such important resources as salt and soldiers, whose loyalty was contested by both sides. Union soldiers crossed the Ohio River into Point Pleasant on May 22, 1861. Confederate soldiers withdrew from Buffalo to Charleston awaiting an opportunity to fight a defensive battle. For many in gray and blue, it would be their first experience in war. U.S. Army: Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox commanded the Union Army in the Kanawha Valley consisting of soldiers from Ohio and Kentuky. Colonel Jon Lower essentially commanded the 1,500 soldiers engaged at scary Creek including the 12th Ohio, 21st Ohio, Cotter’s Independent Battery, and george’s Independent Cavalry. Cox reported to General George B. McClellan who was responsible for resigning western Virginia. C.S. Army: Brigadier General Henry A. Wise, formerly a governor of Virginia, commanded the Confederate army in the Kanawha Valley consisting of soldiers from Virginia, primarily western Virginia. Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton essentially commanded the 900 Confederate soldiers engaged at Scary Creek including the Putnam County Border Rifles and the Kanawha Riflemen in the 22nd Virginia, the Buffalo Blues in the 36th Virginia, Captain Albert G. Jenkin’s Border Rangers of the 8th Virginia Cavalry, and Captain John Hale’s Kanawha Artillery. Wise reported to General Robert E. Lee, the commander of all Virginia military forces. Armies Take Positions Soldiers experienced nervousness, noise, and the death of loved ones in their first battle at Scary Creek on July 17, 1861. Confederate commanders chose Scary Creek as a defensive location for stopping the Union approach to Charleston taking a position along both sides of the Winfield Road (A), south of Scary creek. Confederate artillery commanded the accompanying heights, elevation 600 feet. The Battle Opens Union forces moved south along the Winfield Road (A), dislodging Confederate skirmishers from Little Scary Creek about 11am. Union artillery took a position near the Simms House, elevation 900 feet, and the infantry proceeded to the north bank of Scary Creek. Both sides engaged in an intense fight throughout the afternoon. Although US artillery knocked out CS artillery, neither side gained a substantial advantage. The Battle Rages Union Colonel Lowe attempted a flanking attack (D) around 4 p.m. Scary Creek could not be forded at the mouth of the river and Lower could not find a way around the fight. Exhausted Confederate forces began to withdraw, until Captain Jenkin rallied his men to continue the fight. Union forces, finding no additional support, withdrew from the battle. Confederate soldiers occupied the battlefield, claimed victory, and burned the building the Union had occupied. Victory and Defeat Earlier Union officers had agreed to create a fire as a sign of victory. Several officers, not engaged in the fighting, rushed to the battlefield expecting to celebrate a victory. Instead four key officers became prisoners of war. The Confederate victory was short lived, because General Wise, unable to hold the valley, retreated. Although Union soldiers took Charleston eight days later, fighting over the Kanawha Valley continued at Carnifex Ferry in 1862. Soldiers’ Accounts From the Battle “Attention, Company I: shoulder-e-r-r guns; forwards walk, do sumpting, quick.” Captain Ferdinand Gunkle, 12th Ohio, USA “The loud-mouth cannon, bursting shells, crashing small arms, and ‘shouting captains’ made a royal tumult which tested the nerves of raw recruits from the field and from the shop…” Cameron L. Thompson, Kanawha Rifleman, CSA “I asked of them, ‘Where is my brother?’ ‘Who is your brother?’ ‘Lieutenant Welch of this Battery.’ ‘There he lies. He has done his duty.” Levi Welch, Kanawha Rifleman CSA Estimated strengths and casualties. Source: Lowry, The Battle of Scary Creek. Engaged Killed Wounded Captured U.S.A 1500 15 11 7 C.S.A 900 4 12 4 |
Sources:
https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/entries/171
https://civilwartraveler.blog/2023/06/26/kanawha-valley-campaign-of-1861-the-battles-of-barboursville-and-scary-creek/
https://brandonraykirk.com/2020/01/23/civil-war-in-the-kanawha-valley-battle-of-scary-creek-monument-2019/
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The Battle of Charleston
July 17, 1861
Charleston, West[ern] Virginia
Union Gen. George B. McClelland: Gen. Jacob Cox (3, 000 raw Ohio recruits)
vs.
Confederate Gen. Henry A. Wise (and equally raw troops from the Kanawha Valley)
* Some disambugation here: this Battle of Charleston (1861) is part of the Kanawha Valley Campaign of that year and post-Scary Creek; there's a bigger battle in 1862 that's connected to Jenkins's raid
* Basically just running past Charleston
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=59146 Baptism By Fire To Arms! In July 1861, this area swarmed with retreating Confederate troops and pursuing Federal forces. Union Gen. George B. McClelland had ordered Gen. Jacob Cox to march his 3, 000 raw Ohio recruits into western Virginia from Gallipolis, Ohio, to drive Confederate Gen. Henry A. Wise and equally raw troops from the Kanawha Valley. Wise marched downriver from Charleston to confront the Federals. By July 13, Wise’s men had erected fortifications west of here on Tyler Mountain and on the Littlepage farm to command the junction of the road to Ripley with the valley road leading to Charleston. Cox launched a three-pronged drive up the Kanawha River Valley on July 11 to envelop Wise. Two wings marched overland while the third came upriver on four steamboats. Soon the Federal forces began to converge on Wise’s position, and on July 17, they fought at Scary Creek, fifteen miles downriver from here. During a Union charge, the untested Confederates panicked and began falling back. Capt. George Patton tried to rally them, but his frightened mount bolted to the rear and the men fled faster. Capt. Albert G. Jenkins assumed command. His horse also bolted,and the retreat gathered speed. It stopped, however, when Wayne County’s Sandy Rangers, called the Blood Tubs for their red shirts, joined the line, singing “Bullets and Steel.” and turned the tide. Despite their victory, the Confederates retreated east to avoid being cut off by a superior Union force. They retreated eastward, pouring by here with the Federals in pursuit. The strategic Kanawha Valley was firmly in Union hands six weeks later. "I saw, I think, the first puff of powder smoke and a bullet hit the stump on which I sat. A large beech tree was opportunely near me and I immediately sought the protection of its trunk. As the puffs of smoke increased, the beach tree seemed to wonderfully decrease in size. But for personal reasons, I stuck to it. Captain Albert G. Jenkins came up … and called for someone to go and get his horse. He did not like King Richard, promised a kingdom for his horse, but I was thinking of the kingdom to come, and a chance to dodge it. So I left the beech tree, and ran … over the hill and mounted the horse." -Sgt. Levi Welch, 22nd Virginia Infantry |
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| I can't claim to have gone to Littlepage Mansion, but you get the idea. |
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Also in Charleston, WV - some Unionists:
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=228737 Born 1791 in New York, he moved to Kanawha County to practice medicine and became a prominent politician. He served several terms in the VA Assembly and opposed secession at the 1861 Richmond Convention. In 1863, Patrick was elected to the WV House of Delegates, where he became the first Speaker of the House. He later served in the State Senate, 1870-71. Patrick died in 1884. |
Dedicated by the citizens of cedar grove and surrounding communities on may 22, 1988, n honored memory of the deceased veterans of all the united states wars.
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=137910 Born in Fairfax County in 1804. he came to Kanawha Valley as a child. Secured reforms benefiting western Virginia at 1850-51 Constitutional Convention. Served at 1861 Peace Conference that tried to avoid war and voted against secession at the Richmond Convention. Retiring to private life, he died September 19, 1868, at Glenwood. Summers County was named in his honor in 1871. ********* And before we leave WV, let's check out this church, just downriver from Charleston;  https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=50407 Virginia's Chapel was built in 1853 as gift for Wm. Tompkins' daughter, Virginia. Used by both sides during the Civil War, Methodists acquired church in 1901. Building lengthened in 19th cent., cupola added in 1912. Placed on National Register in 1974 and deeded to Upper Kanawha Valley Senior Council in 1979. "Old Brick Church" was restored in 1981 using preservation grants and many gifts.  Also:  Dedicated by the citizens of cedar grove and surrounding communities on may 22, 1988, n honored memory of the deceased veterans of all the united states wars.  https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=50407 Founder and defender of Fort Morris, the first fort built on the Great Kanawha River in 1774, near this site. He also built the first church and school house and made the first permanent white settlement in the Great Kanawha Valley. And of his wife Elizabeth Stipps 1729 - 1795 | Founder and defender of Fort Morris, the first fort built on the Great Kanawha River in 1774, near this site. He also built the first church and school house and made the first permanent white settlement in the Great Kanawha Valley. | And of his wife | Elizabeth Stipps | 1729 - 1795 | Cedar Grove Veterans Memorial |
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meanwhile in VA....
July 18, 1861
Blackburn's Ford
Centerville, VA (Fairfax County)
Gen McDowell > Gen Daniel Tyler w/ Col Israel Richardson's brigade (including the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, 12the NY, 2nd and 3rd Michigan)
vs.
Beauregard > Longstreet commanding 1st Virginia Infantry w/ the Washington Artillery of New Orleans > Jubal Early too!
* Established the intensity of holding the fords, as demonstrated again at Bull Run, which this immediately preceeds
* Two soldiers in Company K, 12th New York (Cpl. James E. Cross and Pvt. Charles F. Rand) would later be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions at Blackburn’s Ford.
* In June 1994, bodies from the 1st Massachusetts Infantry were found here and later re-interred. It's a great story or you can just skip to the 3-minute video from '97.
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| https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=173364 |
Blackburn’s Ford
Guarding the Fords"By the early summer of 1861, Americans in both the North and South greeted the outbreak of war with patriotism and expectations of a quick decisive battle to end the conflict. In the North, the public clamored for immediate invasion to crush the rebellious South. While professional soldiers urged patience, President Lincoln, bowing to public pressure, ordered Gen. Irvin McDowell to submit a plan to advance on the important railroad junction at Manassas. On July 17, 1861, anticipating the Federal attack, Gen. Pierre G. T. Beauregard ordered Confederate forces to abandon the extensive earthworks on the open plains at Centreville and withdraw behind the strong naturally wooded defensive position of the Bull Run stream. Beauregard knew the Federals would not cross Bull Run except at the fords and bridges because the river banks were steep and the approaches to other crossings impassable. The new defensive position increased the Confederate chances for victory and protected the vital railroad junction at Manassas that was used to supply and reinforce the Southern army. The first tactical use of railroads in history to deliver troops to combat occurred on July 21, 1861, at the Battle of First Manassas when three Confederate brigades (9,000 men) under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston arrived at Manassas Junction from the Shenandoah Valley." A good shot of the map from a slightly different, previous version of the marker.  Photographed By Craig Swain, May 6, 2007 * * * "On July 18, 1861, Gen. Irvin McDowell, the Union army commander, learned that the Confederate army had withdrawn from its Centreville earthworks to a strong defensive position behind Bull Run. McDowell ordered Gen. Daniel Tyler to reconnoiter the stream but not bring on an engagement. Tyler accompanied Col. Israel Richardson's brigade to Blackburn's Ford. Arriving about noon, Tyler and Richardson found a cleared field sloping down from woods to the creek's banks, which were thick with underbrush and trees. Tyler decided to test the Confederate position after seeing enemy artillery in the distance. |
Two Federal cannon opened fire, and a brief artillery duel was followed by a Union infantry attack as the novice soldiers of the 1st Massachusetts Infantry swept down the hillside toward the ford. Suddenly a volley of Confederate musketry erupted from the woods across the creek. Repeated attempts to take the ford failed when volley after volley of bullets "humming like a bee-hive" forced the New Englanders back. The context ended about 4:00 when the Federals withdrew. Each side had engaged about 3,000 men; the thick vegetation helped reduce the casualties (68 Confederates and 83 Federals).
The clash at Blackburn's Ford proved a moral victory for the Southerners, who celebrated the Union repulse as a major battle. It demoralized the Federals, who experienced their first combat and learned that the Bull Run fords would be fiercely contested. Two Union soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their bravery.
Three days later, on July 21, there again was action at Blackburn's Ford when Confederates approached it to flank the Federals. The 5th South Carolina and the 17th and 18th Mississippi under command of Gen. D.R. Jones attacked Col. Thomas Davies' New York regiments at Grisby's Hill and there were repulsed. During the Federal retreat, Confederate forces under the command of Gen. Milledge Bonham and Col. James Longstreet moved across the fords to break the Union line of retreat, but Federal forces had established a new line of defense on the outskirts of Centreville."
https://www.nps.gov/mana/learn/historyculture/the-skirmish-at-blackburns-ford.htm
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