Near Belington in Barbour County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Civil War on the Beverly & Fairmont Turnpike
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
1. Civil War on the Beverly & Fairmont Turnpike Marker
On the left of the marker is a portrait of Ambrose Bierce, Private with the 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment, During the Battles at Belington, also post Civil War author & editor.
"A few dozen of us who had been swapping shots with the enemy's skirmishers, grew tired of the result less battle and by a common impulse - and I think without orders or officers, ran forward into the woods and attacked the Confederate works. We did well enough considering the hopeless folly of the movement, but we came out of the woods faster than we went in a good deal. Our camp is now a racetrack."
Ambrose Bierce 1904.
This toll road, surveyed in 1848 and completed two years later, followed an ancient Indian trail through the mountains. Confederate Camp Laurel Hill was constructed to block this important road in 1861. The paved roadway closely follows the original route.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 39° 0.797′ N, 79° 55.452′ W. Marker is near Belington, West Virginia, in Barbour County. Marker is on Laurel Mountain Road (County Route 15), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belington WV 26250, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Laurel Hill (approx. half a mile away); a
this page online
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
2. Civil War on the Beverly & Fairmont Turnpike Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
3. Old Beverly & Fairmont Turnpike
The old turnpike, now County Route 15, weaves its way up the mountain.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,298 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
