Parsons in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Corricks Ford

Retreat Becomes Disaster

— The First Campaign —

Corricks Ford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

1. Corricks Ford Marker

Inscription. Federal victory at Rich Mountain on July 11, 1861, forced Confederate Gen. Robert S. Garnett's 4,000 troops to retreat from Laurel Hill in Barbour County. Garnett, fearing that his escape route was blocked, struck northeast. His goal was to circle back to safety.

Garnett's army wagons labored over narrow mountain traces. His Confederates were further slowed in crossing the rain-swollen Shavers Fork of Cheat River. On July 13, a force of 1,800 Federals under Capt. Henry W. Benham caught Garnett's rear guard at Corricks Ford, one-half mile south. The Confederates retired after a bloody skirmish, leaving their dead, a cannon and most of the wagons.

A few minutes later, along the rocky shallows here, Gen. Garnett was killed while attempting to delay the pursuit. Federal troops splashed across the ford and recovered his body just behind this marker. He was the first general killed in the Civil War.

"They have given me the hardest job of the war...Indeed I shall esteem myself fortunate if I escape disaster."
- Gen. Robert S. Garnett, C.S.A.

Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1861.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

39° 5.298′ N, 79° 41.012′ W. Marker is in Parsons, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker can be reached from Main Street (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling east. Located along the Allegheny Highlands Trail of West Virginia, in the Corricks Ford Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parsons WV 26287, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Corrick House (within shouting distance of this marker); Corricks Ford Battlefield (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Stone Commemorates the Battle of Corricks Ford (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Corricks Ford Battlefield (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Corrick's Ford (about 500 feet away); Clash at Corricks Ford (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Corricks Ford Battlefield (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Western Maryland Railway Depot / Parsons Railroad Depot (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parsons.

More about this marker. On the lower left is a sketch depicting the Discovery of the fallen Gen. Garnett by Indiana Soldiers. On the right is a map of the area indicating related Civil War sites.

Close Up of the Area Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

2. Close Up of the Area Map

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

3. Corricks Ford Marker

Shavers Fork Through the Trees image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

4. Shavers Fork Through the Trees

Looking through the tree line toward the area that Garnett was killed on the opposite bank.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,499 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.