Battle of Rich Mountain

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Sketch of the site of the operations of the 10th, 11th, and 12th, July 1861, at Rich Mountain.

Date	July 11, 1861
Location	Randolph County, Virginia (now West Virginia)
Result	Union victory

Combatants

United States of America

Confederate States of America

Commanders

George B. McClellan
William S. Rosecrans

John Pegram
Robert S. Garnett †

Casualties

300

Operations in Western Virginia
Philippi – Rich Mountain – Kessler's Cross Lanes – Carnifex Ferry – Cheat Mountain – Greenbrier River – Camp Alleghany

The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia (now West Virginia) as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.

Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan assumed command of Union forces in western Virginia in June 1861. On June 27, he moved his divisions from Clarksburg south against Lt. Col. John Pegram's Confederates, reaching the vicinity of Rich Mountain on July 9. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Morris's Union brigade marched from Philippi to confront Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett's command at Laurel Hill. On July 11, Brig. Gen. William S. Rosecrans led a reinforced brigade by a mountain path to seize the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike in Pegram’s rear. A sharp two-hour fight ensued in which the Confederates were split in two. Half escaped to Beverly, but Pegram and the others (including the "Sydney Boys", a regiment formed from the students of Hampden-Sydney College)surrendered on July 13. Hearing of Pegram’s defeat, Garnett abandoned Laurel Hill. The Federals pursued, and, during fighting at Corrick's Ford on July 13, Garnett was killed. On July 22, McClellan was ordered to Washington, and Rosecrans assumed command of Union forces in western Virginia. The Union victory at Rich Mountain was instrumental in propelling McClellan to command of the Army of the Potomac.