Beverly in Randolph County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Beverly
Crossroads of Conflict
| | The First Campaign | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
1. Beverly Marker
Situated at a crossroads on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, Beverly was a strategic location and proved to be a focal point during the Civil War. There were no large plantations here and political opinions were split, yet the majority of Beverly's citizens favored the South.
From the beginning of the Civil War, Beverly was a staging area for local militia and troops sent from eastern Virginia to serve the Confederacy.
Following Federal success at Rich Mountain, Gen. George McClellan led his troops into Beverly and secured this vital crossroads for the Union. Confederates raided Beverly several times during the war, but the Union retained control. McClellan sent many of his famous victory telegrams from here.
A nmuber of local families with Confederate connections fled south, as Beverly was occupied by Federal troops during most of the war. Troops dug trenches around Mt. Iser, overlooking the town. After the war, a cemetery for Confederate dead was created within these entrenchments.
A number of the buildings tied to Civil War events here still stand.
"The next day (following the Battle of Rich Mountain) about 11 a.m., the Federals advanced (into Beverly), followed by numerous regiments in handsome uniform with banners flying, keeping exact step to the music of the fine Regimental Bands, playing
this page online
-Thomas Jackson Arnold
Erected by 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.
Location. 38° 50.461′ N, 79° 52.524′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Beverly, West Virginia, in Randolph County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 219) north of Court Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located next to the Randolph County Museum and Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 728 Main Street, 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 location: The First Campaign (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Occupied Beverly (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Beverly (here, next to this marker); Blackman-Bosworth Store (a few steps from this marker); 1813 Randolph County Jail (a few steps from this marker); a different
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
2. Beverly Marker
Marker has sustained significant weather damage.
Other markers no longer nearby. Occupied Beverly (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Randolph Co Jail - 1813 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. On the lower left of the marker is a sketch of Beverly drawn during the war. On the right is a map of the area indicating other Civil War related sites.
Also see . . .
1. Western Virginia campaign. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 7, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Mount Iser Cemetery. The cemetery and Federal earthworks are located just east of town. The site does not indicate if the location is accessible. (Submitted on November 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 4, 2025
3. Beverly Marker
Marker is located second from the left.
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2009
4. Crossroads
Looking toward Rich Mountain from Main Street. The road leading to Rich Mountain today follows the course of the old Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,458 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on January 25, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
