Near Mabie in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Camp Garnett
Rich Mountain Battlefield
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, 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 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: Fortifications (within shouting distance of this marker); Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Rich Mountain (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rich Mountain (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Rich Mountain (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Stable Yard
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Artillery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Camp Garnett (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); General George B. McClellan (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Welcome to Rich Mountain Battlefield (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
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
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
2. Hotchkiss' Map of Rich Mountain
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
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 runs parallel to the turnpike in this section of the road, and bisects the Confederate position.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,622 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on September 13, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
