Mabie in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Fortifications

Rich Mountain Battlefield

Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025

1. Fortifications Marker

Inscription. These earthworks protected Confederates at Camp Garnett from small arms and artillery fire. Soldiers built them by rolling large logs into place and heaping dirt and rocks from a ditch in front. Trees were felled more than 100 yards ahead, their branches sharpened into spikes to discourage attack.

The earthworks in front of this sign were originally several feet higher. Please help protect the earthworks by not walking or standing on them.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 38° 52.23′ N, 79° 57.296′ W. Marker is in 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: Camp Garnett (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);

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The Stable Yard (approx. 1.2 miles away); General William S. Rosecrans (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Hart House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mabie.

Other markers no longer nearby. Artillery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); General George B. McClellan (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Camp Garnett (was about 300 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 left is a portrait of Lt. Col. John Pegram who commanded the Southern forces at Camp Garnett. His blunders resulted in surrender and the loss of Western Virginia by the Confederacy. In the center of the marker is a profile view of a typical earthwork defense used in the Civil War.

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

2. Fortifications Marker

Marker and Earthworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

3. Marker and Earthworks

The Earthworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

4. The Earthworks

Today all that remains is a low ditch with a mound of earth to the front of the fortifications.

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 1,009 times since then and 13 times this year. 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.