Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Jenkins in Buckhannon
The Raiders Strike
— Jenkins's Raid —
Confederate Gen. Albert G. Jenkins and his cavalry halted a few miles east of Buckhannon on the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike on August 30, 1862. He knew that an immense quantity of Union supplies and several thousand small arms were stockpiled there. “After a few hours for rest and food, “Jenkins reported, “we proceeded down French Creek toward the town of Buckhannon. The population along this creek is among the most disloyal in all western Virginia.”
The day before, the Federal garrison in Buckhannon had learned of Jenkins’s approach. Units were called quickly into service, including Co. E, 10th West Virginia Infantry; the Upshur Battery and Battery E, West Virginia Light Artillery; and the Home Militia. The Home Militia was not regularly equipped---the members brought their personal shotguns, muskets and rifles.
When the defenders marched to Battle Hill (present-day Water Tank Hill, in front of you) to entrench on August 30, they were surprised to find the Confederates already there. The Federals quickly threw up breastworks of rails, logs, and straw stacks nearby, including across the junction of Marion and Kanawha Street below the hill and near this triangle park. Jenkins attacked. The defenders fought until the Confederate fire got too hot for them and beat a hasty retreat and scattered in every direction.
Jenkins’s men gathered all of the arms and supplies they could carry away, burned the rest, and then headed for Weston. They also took all of the surgical instruments and left only a handsaw to treat wounded Federals.
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 September 1861.
Location. 38° 59.07′ N, 80° 13.404′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. Marker is at the intersection of Marion Street and Barbour Street, on the right when traveling west on Marion Street. The marker is located in Fred Brooks Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McClellan's Buckhannon Camp (approx. 0.4 miles away); The West Virginia Strawberry Festival (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joyce S. Stockert (approx. 0.7 miles away); Charles Burton "Charley" Harper (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stockert Building / People's Grocery & Home Hardware (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dairy Queen / Buckhannon City Hall (approx. ¾ mile away); Leonard Mactaggart "Pare" Lorentz (approx. ¾ mile away); Gray Roscoe Barker (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 866 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.