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

General William S. Rosecrans

Rich Mountain Battlefield

Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025

1. General William S. Rosecrans Marker

Inscription. General Rosecrans led a brigade of nearly 2,000 Union soldiers through dense wilderness to the summit of Rich Mountain. His guide was young David Hart, son of a family living here at the pass. Leaving camp on Roaring Creek before dawn, Rosecrans' column climbed silently up the mountainside to flank Camp Garnett and strike the enemy rear. The battle began about 2:30 p.m. on July 11, 1861, when advancing Union troops encountered Confederate skirmishers.

"The whole earth seemed to shake."
David Hart, Rich Mountain guide

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1861.

Location. 38° 51.955′ N, 79° 56.017′ W. Marker is near Beverly, West Virginia, in Randolph County. It is on Rich Mountain Road / Files Creek Road (County Route 37-8), on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in the Rich Mountain Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beverly WV 26253, 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 walking distance of this marker: The Hart House (a few steps from this marker); The Hart Spring House (a few steps from this marker); Rich Mountain / Hart House (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Rich Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stable Yard

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Old Hart House (within shouting distance of this marker); Rich Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Rich Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Welcome to Rich Mountain Battlefield (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. On the lower left is a portrait of Rosecrans. Gen. William S. Rosecrans personally led a final charge across the turnpike, driving Confederate defenders from Rich Mountain. On the right is a drawing depicting Rosecrans' troops advancing through the wilds of Rich Mountain to attack Confederates at the Hart Farm.

Also see . . . William Rosecrans. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on October 25, 2009, by Jeff Conner of Norfolk, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

2. General William S. Rosecrans Marker

General William S. Rosecrans image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Craig Swain

3. General William S. Rosecrans

Wartime portrait of General Rosecrans.

[Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0975]
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,449 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on February 6, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on October 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.