Bartow in Pocahontas County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Camp Bartow
Battle of Greenbrier River
— The First Campaign —
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 10, 2010
1. Camp Bartow Marker
In August 1861, Confederate soldiers under Gen. Henry R. Jackson of Georgia erected Camp Bartow here. Fortifications on these hills guarded a disputed "middle ground" between Union and Confederate forces on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. The defenses were named in honor of a Georgian killed at First Manassas.Confederates stationed at Camp Bartow took part in Gen. Robert E. Lee's failed September assault of the fortress on Cheat Mountain, 12 miles west.
On October 3, 1861, nearly 5,000 Union troops under Gen. Joseph Reynolds attacked 1,800 Confederates here in the Battle of Greenbrier River. Reynolds retreated to Cheat Mountain after a spirited artillery duel. Gen. Jackson's defenders received a commendation from the Confederate War Department for their victory.
Confederates at Camp Bartow suffered greatly from disease. By late November, the Southern army abandoned these workds and withdrew nine miles east to Camp Allegheny, where they endured a horrible winter in the mountains.
"I can't describe my feelings when the battle began. I could but think of you at home so far away & me here in the fight with the
this page online
-Shepherd Pryor, 12th Georgia Infantry, C.S.A., to his wife.
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 October 1847.
Location. 38° 32.263′ N, 79° 46.373′ W. Marker is in Bartow, West Virginia, in Pocahontas County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Pike Road (County Route 3) and West Virginia Highway 28, on the right when traveling west on Old Pike Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bartow WV 24920, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Travellers Repose (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue and Gray / “Travelers’ Repose” (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Camp Bartow (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camp Allegheny (approx. 5.2 miles away); Camp Allegheny 1861-1862 (approx. 5.2 miles away); West Virginia / Virginia (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Great Raid (approx. 5.9 miles away); War In West Virginia (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bartow.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Camp Bartow and the Battle
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 10, 2010
2. Contemporary Diagram of the Battlefield
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 10, 2010
3. Map of Related Civil War Sites
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 10, 2010
4. Camp Bartow
Traces of earthworks cover the fields on the north side of the old pike road.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,363 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
