Blue Beach near Springfield in Hampshire County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Wire Bridge Engagement
Federal Attack on Romney
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 12, 2015
1. Wire Bridge Engagement Marker
On October 24, 1861, Union Gen. Winfield Scott ordered Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley to strengthen his position at New Creek Station (present-day Keyser) on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and then march to Romney and occupy the town. Situated on the North Western Turnpike and the largest town in the South Branch Valley, Romney had strategic importance. Kelley planned a two-pronged attack for October 26. He led the main force from the west on the turnpike, while Col. Thomas Johns, 2nd Regiment Potomac Home Brigade, attacked from the north. Johns was to push across the Wire Bridge here, march south, and strike Romney from the east.
Johns, however, encountered stiff resistance her. He reported that Confederates had entrenched riflemen on an eminence immediately fronting the suspension bridge. Captain Alexander Shaw, of Company A, who led the advance of the column to this point, was with his company, directed to lead the way across the bridge, at a double quick step. About half way across the bridge, [Shaw] discovered that a portion of the plank flooring on the further side had been removed. The enemy on discovering the
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When Johns heard Kelleys guns firing as the general entered Romney, Johns broke off contact and withdrew to Maryland, considering his part of the attack complete.
Kelleys troops occupied Romney until January 10, 1862, when they retreated to Cumberland, Maryland, over this bridge as Confederate Gen. Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson approached from Winchester.
(captions)
Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley Courtesy Library of Congress
Gen. Kelleys troops crossing the long bridge, near Romney, on his retreat to Cumberland, from New York Illustrated News, 1862 Courtesy Library of Congress
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 date for this entry is October 24, 1861.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 25.552′ N, 78° 42.94′ W. Marker was near Springfield, West
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 12, 2015
2. Wire Bridge Engagement Marker
Regionally, this marker was in the Eastern Panhandle. It was also 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Wire Bridge Engagement (within shouting distance of this marker); God Bless America (approx. 2 miles away); Mount Bethel Church (approx. 3.7 miles away); Fort Forman
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 12, 2015
3. Wire Bridge Engagement Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Camp Washington (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,242 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
