Near Mabie in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Camp Garnett
Rich Mountain Battlefield
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
1. Camp Garnett Marker
Confederates built Camp Garnett to block the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. Soldiers here felled trees, dug trenches and stacked rocks for protection. Fortifications covered the hills overloioking this road, forming a fearsome obstacle for General McClellan's army.
"The regiment will be able to hold five times their number in check… if they will stand to their work."
Confederate General R.S. Garnett
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 52.214′ N, 79° 57.288′ W. Marker is near Mabie, West Virginia, in Randolph County. Marker is on Rich Mountain Road / Files Creek Road (County Route 37/8), on the right when traveling west. Located in the Rich Mountain Battlefield's Camp Garnett section. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mabie WV 26278, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Fortifications (within shouting distance of this marker); Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Camp Garnett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General George B. McClellan
this page online
More about this marker. On the lower left is a portrait of General Garnett. General Robert S. Garnett placed 1,300 Confederates here while he personally defended Laurel Hill pass 16 miles north. Garnett was killed in action at Corrick's Ford - the first Civil War General to fall.
On the right is a map showing Camp Garnett and the movements of the Federals during the battle. Next to the map is a portrait of Jed Hotchkiss. Jed Hotchkiss, gifted civilian mapmaker, sketched the works at Camp Garnett and led a party of Confederates to safety after the battle. His famous maps later guided Stonewall Jackson.
Also see . . . Camp Garnett. Additional illustrations of the camp from the Rich Mountain Battlefield Association web site. (Submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
2. Hotchkiss' Map of Rich Mountain
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
3. Camp Garnett Marker
The marker stands on a viewing platform overlooking the Confederate position at Camp Garnett.
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
4. Roaring Creek
The creek cuts runs parallel to the turnpike in this section of the road, and bisects the Confederate position.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on September 13, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
