Near Hillsboro in Pocahontas County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Battle At Droop Mountain
November 6, 1863
On August 26 and 27, 1863, the Confederate army had successfully repulsed an attack at White Sulphur Springs by the Federal Army of Brigadier General William W. Averell. In early November, Echols learned that General Averell had left his headquarters in Beverly, West Virginia, and was again moving south toward the railroad. Confederate outposts in Pocahontas County tried to slow the advance. General Echols marched his army north, all through the night, to Droop Mountain to reinforce them.
The reinforcements arrived just in time, for General Averell began his attack early. Throughout the morning, Echols’ outnumbered Confederate army held the high ground and blocked the highway with artillery, but in the afternoon was overwhelmed by the crushing advance of Federal infantry on his left flank. Following the collapse of his lines, General Echols retreated south with the remnants of his command. Federal troops occupied Lewisburg on November 7, 1863, but being burdened by prisoners and captured livestock, General Averell elected to return to his headquarters in Beverly, waiting until early December to lead a third, and ultimately successful, attack on the railroad. Operations in the Shenandoah VaIIey in the spring in 1864 drew remaining Confederate troops out of West Virginia, thus leaving the new state securely under the control of the Federal government for the remainder of the war.
With more than 400 casualties, (140 Union and approximately 275 Confederate) the Battle at Droop Mountain was one of the last significant Civil War battles in West Virginia.
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1863.
Location. 38° 6.873′ N, 80° 16.177′ W. Marker is near Hillsboro, West Virginia, in Pocahontas County. Marker can be reached from Seneca Trail (U.S. 219) near George Hill Road (County Route 24/1). This marker is located along the Park Road in Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hillsboro WV 24946, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. White Oak (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Droop Mountain (a few steps from this marker); 23rd Battalion Virginia Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); John D. Baxter (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieut. Henry Bender (within shouting distance of this marker); 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); 2nd West Virginia Mounted Infantry (about 800 feet away); 10 Lb. Parrott Rifle (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hillsboro.
Also see . . .
1. Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. (Submitted on August 14, 2010.)
2. Droop Mountain. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on August 14, 2010.)
3. Droop Mountain Battlefield (pdf file). National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on August 16, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.