Clifton in Mason County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

William H. Powell

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

1. William H. Powell Marker

Inscription. Born 1825 in Wales, he emigrated to U.S. as a child and was working in iron industry when war erupted Commissioned captain of 2nd (West) Virginia Cavalry at Ironton, OH, and won Medal of Honor for actions at Sinking Creek Valley in 1862. Wounded, captured and imprisoned 1863, and released, 1864. Brevetted major general late in war. He died in 1904 and was buried in Chicago.

Erected 2016 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • 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 1825.

Location. 39° 0.152′ N, 82° 2.498′ W. Marker is in Clifton, West Virginia, in Mason County. It is at the intersection of Mason Street (West Virginia Route 62) and Columbia Street, on the left when traveling west on Mason Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mason WV 25260, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically

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in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rear Admiral William W. Outerbridge (approx. 0.3 miles away in Ohio); The Ohio River / Historic Middleport (approx. 0.3 miles away in Ohio); Major John B. Downing (approx. 0.3 miles away in Ohio); Middleport Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); General James V. Hartinger (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); Rear Admiral Arthur Clark (approx. half a mile away in Ohio); Virgil A. Lewis (approx. 1.3 miles away); Morgan's Raid Route / Meigs County Courthouse (approx. 1.8 miles away in Ohio).

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “Powell and his men found one of the camps, determined that it was poorly guarded, and decided to capture it themselves. Each member

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

2. William H. Powell Marker

of Powell's advance guard was armed with a saber and two six-shot revolvers. Powell decided to attack with sabers so that the other rebel camp would not be alarmed. They charged into the 500-man rebel camp with sabers drawn, and completely surprised the rebels. Many of the weapons captured were not loaded. Although hundreds of the rebels scattered into the countryside, a captain, a lieutenant and 112 enlisted men were captured, along with 200 weapons, a few wagons and some camping equipment. Powell’s only casualties were the loss of two horses. Two rebels were killed and two wounded.” (Submitted on October 14, 2018.)

Additional keywords. Union soldier.

William H. Powell (1825–1904) image. Click for full size.

Photo via Wikipedia Commons, 1868

3. William H. Powell (1825–1904)

This is from the book Ohio in the War — Her Statesmen, Generals, and Soldiers Volume I by Whitelaw Reid. The book was published in 1868. Photo is between pages 908 and 909.

Sinking Creek Cavalry Raid image. Click for full size.

Drawing by J. W. Jones via Wikipedia Commons, February 20, 2015

4. Sinking Creek Cavalry Raid

From the 1897 book The Story of American Heroism. The raid occurred in Greenbrier County, now West Virginia, north of Lewisburg adjacent to Cold Knob Mountain.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 829 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.