Rowlesburg in Preston County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

REPLACED

CHECK OTHERS NEARBY

Battle of Rowlesburg

April 26, 1863

— Establishing a Defense of the B&O —

Panel 1 of Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

1. Panel 1 of Kiosk

Illustration is from Harper's Weekly, August 3, 1861, depicting General Hill's Headquarters in Rowlesburg, p. 487. (Which differs from the cited page number in the marker text.)

Inscription. Hills Headquarters "Rowlesburg, the headquaters of General Hill in Western Virginia, is situated in a deep gorge in the Alleghenies, at a point where the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crosses Cheat River. The scenery around it is bold, grand, and picturesque, shut in by towering mountain-walls, the dark stream flows silently on, overshadowed with dense forests of hemlock and laurel. This region of country is wild and thinly populated, and deer and bear roam unmolested along the thickly-wooded slopes. The little village has sprung up since the opening of the railroad, and has become quite a thriving place. General Hill is at present concentrating all his troops at Rowlesburg, by order of General McClellan, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the Confederates lately under Garnett, at St. George. The illustration will be found on page 490."

The bridge, which was a composite (wood and iron through-truss designed by Fink, is depicted somewhat inaccurately by the artist since it shows the sides covered, as well as the roof, and does not include the wrought iron laterals. See Workman, May 2005.)

Cheat Bridges Become Target Since

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

1861, a special target for destruction by order of both President Jefferson Davis and Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, Rowlesburg was the only town or outpost in western Virginia that was a principal target of the raid to stand up to the Confederate onslaught and emerge unscathed.

After arriving in Grafton on June 23, 1861 General George McClellan decided to establish a strong position at Philippi and protect his line of supply, the B&O. McClellan, who had served as chief engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad and was intimately familiar with the B&O, assigned forty-eight companies to guard it. To protect the costly Cheat River Bridge and viaducts he posted an entire regiment, the 1st Virginia Infantry, fresh from its victory at Philippi, at Rowlesburg, after visiting the isolated town in person.

Fearing that McClellan would augment his force along the B&O in Northern Virginia, and then use the rail line to advance to Harpers Ferry in support of an invasion of eastern Virginia, Confederates, led by General Robert E. Lee made plans to cut the B&O. They resolved to demolish the B&Os viaducts

Panel 2 of Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

2. Panel 2 of Kiosk

Cheat Bridges Become Target

and bridge at Rowlesburg along the Cheat River. Realizing that no other point on the B&O offered such a high density of targets, and that rebuilding these remarkable structures would entail considerable time and expense, Lee wrote: "The rupture of the railroad at Cheat River would be worth to us an army."

Under McClellan's orders, General Charles E. Hill's Union forces prepared their defensive positions at and near Rowlesburg.

Colonel James Irvine was assigned the duty of protecting the railroad bridge and trestles at Rowlesburg, as well as the Northwestern Turnpike Bridge four miles up the Cheat River. Irvine established his headquarters at the turnpike bridge, which was protected by an advance guard of two companies under Captain Donlon and Captain Chapman. These troops, some two hundred men, built breast works and quartered on this covered bridge. A telegraph line linked Irwin's advance position to the main force at Rowlesburg.

On July 3, 1861 General Hill and staff, accompanied by Captain I.M. Pumphrey, Quartermaster of the 1st Virginia, made a tour of inspection of the Rowlesburg positions. Informing readers of this inspection

Panel 3 of Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

3. Panel 3 of Kiosk

Jones Elects Two-prong Attack

tour, a Wheeling Intelligencer reporter noted that "everything is working admirably about Cheat River." The reporter considered General Hill "a shrewd, able and most accomplished commander... no ordinary man." Believing that Confederate forces would soon attack Rowlesburg, the reporter added: "It is a great pity that the other Virginia companies yet behind on the line of the B&O RR are not with them (the Rowlesburg Force), as there is good reason to believe that the force in that quarter may have an opportunity of covering themselves with glory."

"Worth to us an Army..." Rowlesburg and Cannon Hill are in the Civil War, Historical Research Project. Prepared by Michael E. Workman, West Virginia University, for the Rowlesburg Area Historical Society with support from the West Virginia Department of Transportation, May 2006. Excerpted by Timothy Weaver, Professor Emeritus, Boston University.

Jones Elects Two-prong Attack On March 28, 1863 Jefferson Davis sent a letter to R.E. Lee suggesting that "now is the time to destroy ... the Cheat River Bridge, if possible." Finally, on April 20, after delays due to heavy rain, J.D. Imboden

Panel 4 of Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

4. Panel 4 of Kiosk

Jones' Attack Fails

left his base on Shenandoah Mountain with an army of 3,300, chiefly infantry, and pressed forward on the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike to Beverly, which they reached on April 24. Meanwhile, W.E. "Grumble" Jones departed from Brocks Gap on April 21, 1863.

Jones' force crossed the [West] Virginia line in the morning of April 26, some stopping at the Red House Tavern for a griddlecake breakfast. At nearby West Union (Aurora) the confederates stole food and clothing from David Ridenour's store and took hostages to question and act as guides through the unfamiliar country. Reaching the bottom of the grade, about one mile east of the Cheat River turnpike bridge, Jones halted to give orders for the attack. Jones later wrote in his report that he ordered Green "not to be stopped by a mere inferior infantry picket, which was posted about a mile above the town, but to charge by and leave these men to the care of the regiments in his rear. If a heavy force awaited him in the bluff above the road along the river, then to dislodge them with sharpshooters."

Meanwhile, Jones moved his column to the east side of the turnpike bridge and halted.

Cheat River Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

5. Cheat River Bridge

A modern steel bridge stands near where the wartime wood and iron bridge stood.

Here, near the mouth of Madison Run, he sent two hundred dismounted troopers up over a steep mountain called Palmer's Knob (now known as Lantz Ridge), a distance of a miles and a half, to strike the east end of the railway bridge at Rowlesburg. The purpose of this attack was to divert the attention of the Rowlesburg defenders, so that Green and his troopers could sweep into the town along the turnpike and overrun the garrison. According to Jones' report of the attack, Captain Weems, of the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry with 80 sharpshooters of his regiment and part of Witcher's battalion, was sent across the hills from the bridge on the northwest grade to attack the east end of the railroad bridge at Rowlesburg, and to fire it at all hazards.

Jones' Attack Fails In the meantime, Major Showalter was disposing his troops for defense of the town and railroad. He sent a small attachment to guard the Tray Run and Buckeye Run viaducts, and established a defensive line along the north side of the railroad embankment from the railway bridge to the River Hotel in town. Some crossties were hastily piled-up on the railroad track, and this, along

Battle of Rowlesburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010

6. Battle of Rowlesburg Marker

Original location on Poplar St.

with the embankment, formed a defense for his men.

Citizens of the town armed with a variety of weapons joined the soldiers. Showalter also sent a detachment of about 20 men under Sergeant Gallion of Company F and Lieutenant McDonald of Company L to guard the St. George pike, where Col. Green's detachment was approaching. This force took a position in some rifle pits on a steep hill overlooking the river road where it narrowed about one mile outside of town.

Weem's Rebel detachment was seen forming on Palmer's Knob, across the river, east of town. They took positions about half way down the mountain on a bench, where they formed a line and moved forward. According to the eyewitness account of Purinton, at around two-thirty, the troopers "came bounding and bellowing down the mountain, yelling like fiends just up from the pit." Concealed behind the railroad embankment, Showalter's force of soldiers, armed with Enfield rifled muskets, and townspeople allowed the Confederates to come within "easy rifle range," then opened with devastating fire.

According to other accounts, Weems's force was also fired upon by a force of "sharpshooters"

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 26, 2022

7. Battle of Rowlesburg Marker

Marker has been moved from this location on Poplar St to E Main St.

and "townsfolk," as well as by cannon, from Cannon Hill and positions on the east side of the river. The rebels replied with a volley of their own. Then, a "constant and well-directed fire was opened up on them from the town, and in half an hour not a rebel was to be seen." The Confederate force was in full retreat along the side of the mountain, headed south to gain the lines of the Green's column across the river. Weems's attack had failed.

Meanwhile, the more desperate fight on the river road was raging. According to Purinton, it continued "at intervals from 3 p.m. until dark...." From their strong position overlooking the river road, McDonald's force fired on Jones's scouting party, who fell back to the turnpike intersection to report to Jones. Jones ordered Col. Green's 6th Virginia forward. It moved out cautiously toward the town. As the Confederates came to a narrow place in the road, about one mile south of town, McDonald ordered his riflemen to fire.

Rather than charging past the enemy as Jones had commanded, Green ordered his men to fall back, then sent for Jones. This decision would infuriate Gen. Jones and lead to

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 27, 2023

8. Battle of Rowlesburg Marker

Relocated from Poplar St to E Main St

the court-martial of Green that September. Private John Opie, one of Green's troopers, would later testify that Green's decision to halt was wise: "Had we charged, we certainly could not have reached the men in the rifle pits; but, on the other hand, would have been exposed to a heavy flank fire from them."

Col. Green then made another attempt to outflank McDonald's strong position. Receiving reinforcements from the 7th and 11th he sent troopers to cross the river. According to Wiley, "an effort was next made by the Confederates to cross the river, ... but so hot and well directed a fire was poured upon the adventurous party in the river, that they were glad to retreat to the shore." Nothing could be done to dislodge the force from its impregnable line. An enraged Jones arrived during this last assault and, after seeing that his troops were stalemated, ordered Green to hold his position until dusk and then pull back to the turnpike.

The battle of Rowlesburg was over. Lincoln's Lifeline was saved.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1863.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

Paid Advertisement

It was located near 39° 20.773′ N, 79° 40.166′ W. Marker was in Rowlesburg, West Virginia, in Preston County. It was at the intersection of Poplar Street and South Buffalo Street (West Virginia Route 72), on the left when traveling east on Poplar Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 15 Poplar St, Rowlesburg WV 26425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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: Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Rowlesburg Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Rowlesburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Tray Run Viaduct (within shouting distance of this marker); 32 South Church Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 34 South Church Street (about 400 feet away); Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building and Property (about 400 feet away); Rowlesburg Post Office Postmasters (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rowlesburg.

More about this marker. This marker was moved from this location in front of the Rowlesburg B&O Depot Museum 700 ft NE to E Main St.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Battle of Rowlesburg by Markers (including new version of this marker in a new location).

Also see . . . Cannon Hill - Rowlesburg. West Virginia Tourism website entry (Submitted on June 4, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1.
In this sentence on the marker, “A telegraph line linked Irwin's advance position to the main force at Rowlesburg,” Irwin is not fully identified. Is “Inwin” an error? Was “Irvine” the correct name?

— Submitted August 15, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,959 times since then and 123 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on May 27, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 8. submitted on October 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.