Parsons in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Corricks Ford Battlefield
First to Fall
— General Garnett at Corricks Ford —
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
1. Corricks Ford Battlefield Marker
President Jefferson Davis CSA
On July 13, 1861, some 3,500 Confederate soldiers under Gen. Robert S. Garnett crossed Shavers Fork here while chased by Union forces in a desperate bid to stall the enemy, Gen. Garnett posted ten sharpshooters of the 23rd Virginia Infantry behind driftwood along the riverbank.
The general remained here as bullets hissed across the stream. As Garnett turned to give an order, a ball struck him and he toppled from his horse. Federal skirmishers splashed across the ford and found his body among the wildflowers. Robert Garnett was the first general killed during the Civil War.
"A stampede occurred, and our little band rushed across the river, and found the General in the throes of death.. we only paused for a moment and dashed on, horror struck by the deed we had committed."
Henry Wheeler, 7th Indiana Infantry USA
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 13, 1861.
Location. 39° 5.277′ N, 79° 41.106′ W. Marker is in Parsons, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling east. Located along the Allegheny Highlands Trail of West Virginia, in the Corricks Ford
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Corricks Ford Battlefield (a few steps from this marker); This Stone Commemorates the Battle of Corricks Ford (a few steps from this marker); Corrick's Ford (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Corricks Ford (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Corrick House (about 700 feet away); Clash at Corricks Ford (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Corricks Ford Battlefield (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Western Maryland Railway Depot / Parsons Railroad Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parsons.
Photographed By Craig Swain
2. Markers along the Allegheny Highlands Trail
Note the white West Virginia state marker on the road to the upper right.
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
3. Corricks Ford Battlefield Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
4. Shavers Fork near the site of Corrick's Ford
A retaining wall forms an overlook of the site where Garnett was killed.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne
5. Robert Selden Garnett
from The Biographical Dictionary of America, 1906, by Rossiter Johnson.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,107 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on June 20, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
