Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Keyser in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
 

Keyser / Averell’s Raid

 
 
Keyser Face of Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
1. Keyser Face of Marker
Inscription.
Keyser. Between 1861–1865, Keyser, then New Creek, was sought by the North and South. It changed hands fourteen times. Fort Fuller, where Potomac State Collect stands, was supported by a series of forts girding the town.

Averell’s Raid. Here in 1863 General W. W. Averell started the Federal cavalry raid to Salem, Virginia, and then back into this State. This is among the great exploits of the War. Many of his troopers were from West Virginia.
 
Erected 1980 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
 
Location. 39° 25.9′ N, 78° 59.204′ W. Marker is in Keyser, West Virginia, in Mineral County. Marker is on South Mineral Street (U.S. 220) just south of Carskadon Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 567 S Mineral St, Keyser WV 26726, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
marker. Historical Markers (here, next to this marker); Thomas R. Carskadon (within shouting distance of this marker); Carskadon Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Cannon Road (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Piano (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Fuller / Capture of New Creek (approx. half a mile away); Potomac State College (approx. half a mile away); Fort Fuller (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keyser.
 
More about this marker. An exact duplicate of this marker can be found on East Piedmont Street, just east of Mineral Street, in front of the old Keyser High School.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These two markers are identical but are in distinct parts of the City of Keyser.
 
Also see . . .
1. A History of New Creek and Keyser. “On 11-28-1864, a Confederate force under Gen Rosser managed by wearing some stolen blue Union uniforms, to penetrate Fort Fuller about 10 AM. They withdrew about 4:00PM.
Averell’s Raid Face of Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
2. Averell’s Raid Face of Marker
While there, they captured @ 400 Union soldiers and also private citizens, all who were taken to Libby Prison in Richmond. Among the citizens captured were Andrew Shillingburg of Elk Garden, I. D. Caldwell, and Marshall M. Saure. The only fatality was a Confederate soldier, who was killed at the corner of Main and Center Streets, where Minnich’s Flower Shop is now.” (Submitted on July 9, 2010.) 

2. William Averell's Cavalry Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. 2000 article by Robert Thompson. “The eastern end of the 204-mile Virginia & Tennessee line was at Lynchburg, where cars transferred to the Southside Railroad could continue their eastward trek to Petersburg and Richmond. Heading west from Lynchburg, the Virginia & Tennessee ran through southwestern Virginia until it ended at Bristol, Tenn. At that point, the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad took over and ran to Knoxville. Halleck wanted the Virginia & Tennessee cut to sever the vital network of railways that tied together the South’s Eastern and Western theaters and served as avenues for communications and supplies. The Virginia & Tennessee’s
The View North at the Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
3. The View North at the Marker
importance to the Confederacy was heightened by the fact that Southern troops under Lt. Gen. James Longstreet were operating in East Tennessee and had recently threatened Knoxville. By cutting the rail line, Union commanders hoped to deprive Longstreet’s men of needed materiel.” (Submitted on July 9, 2010.) 
 
View South at the Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
4. View South at the Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,101 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=32832

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024