Blue and GrayNear here was Camp Bartow, fortified by Confederates in 1861. At Greenbrier Bridge, an artillery duel was fought, Oct. 3, 1861. Battle of Allegheny (8 Mi.E.) was fought, Dec. 13, 1861, between armies of Gen. W.L. Jackson and Gen. . . . — — Map (db m34076) HM
Confederate forces led by Col. Edward Johnson held a fortified camp here in winter of 1861-62. Sharp attack occurred, Dec. 13, 1861, in which the Union troops under Gen. Robert Milroy were beaten off. — — Map (db m32890) HM
In late November 1861, Confederate forces at Camp Bartow moved southeast to this strong position on Allegheny Mountain overlooking the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. Colonel Edward Johnson, 12th Georgia Infantry, took command of the garrison with . . . — — Map (db m58294) HM
Camp Allegheny, also known as Camp Baldwin and Camp Johnson, was constructed in the summer of 1861 by Confederate forces in order to control the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. (present day Pocahontas County Route 3). Following the October 3, 1861 . . . — — Map (db m32895) HM
(Preface)
On April 20, 1863, Confederate Gens. William F. “Grumble” Jones and John D. Imboden began a raid from Virginia through present-day West Virginia on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Taking separate routes, they later . . . — — Map (db m58229) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m240582) HM
Early in the 1800s, growing western settlement spured a push to improve transportation routes over the Appalachian Mountains. In 1822, Virginia authorized a survey of the route that became the Staunton to Parkersburg Turnpike. Connecting the upper . . . — — Map (db m32884) HM
West Virginia, born of a nation divided, was the setting for the first campaign of America's Civil War. Although still part of Virginia in 1861, many citizens of the west remained loyal to the Union, rather than the Confederacy. By late May, Union . . . — — Map (db m32889) HM
In March 1863, Confederate Gen. John D. Imboden presented Gen. Robert E. Lee a plan to invade the northwestern counties of Virginia. Imboden’s goals were to destroy Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bridges and trestles, recruit young men for the . . . — — Map (db m58302) HM
Travellers Repose was the first stage stop west of Allegheny. Andrew Yeager, son of pioneer John Yeager, built the first Travellers Repose here on the upper Greenbrier River. Mail delivery along the length of the pike was contracted in 1847, . . . — — Map (db m34167) HM
In the spring of 1861, Union forces rushed into northwestern Virginia to secure the vital Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, protect important turnpikes, and support Unionists against Confederates. Many residents in the northwest, although still part . . . — — Map (db m58300) HM
(West Virginia Side):West Virginia (Pocahontas County)"The Mountain State" ~ western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. Settled by the Germans and Scotch-Irish. It became a line of defense between the English and . . . — — Map (db m32908) HM
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea) lndigo Buntings have no blue pigment; they are actually black, but the diffraction of light through the structure of the feathers makes them appear blue. These attractive birds are also found in rural . . . — — Map (db m93994) HM
The clean massive Droop Sandstone in the road cut is the "Maxon Sand" of the driller. The "Maxon Sand" yields oil and natural gas at depths of over 1000 feet in southern and central West Virginia. — — Map (db m104286)
At the heart of what was then the large state of Virginia, the Allegheny Mountains posed a formidable barrier to settlement and development. Turnpike engineer Claudius Crozet faced the daunting task of designing and building a road over these . . . — — Map (db m59358) HM
The Greenbrier Limestone in the quarry represents the "Big Lime" of the driller. Fish-egg like oölitic zones in the "Big Lime" yield oil and natural gas in West Virginia. — — Map (db m104290)
This horn antenna was used by Harold I. Ewen and Edward M. Purcell at the Lyman Laboratory of Physics at Harvard University in 1951 for the first detection of radio radiation from neutral atomic hydrogen gas in the Milky Way at a wavelength of 21 . . . — — Map (db m58304) HM
The battle positions of the 14th Penn. Cavalry and the Federal artillery were on the cleared ridge right of the highway about 2/3 mile distant and 600 feet lower in elevation. Throughout the morning, skirmishers and artillery fire from these groups . . . — — Map (db m34354) HM
From behind breastworks and with artillery support, the 20th Va. occupied a strong position overlooking the highway at the Confederate center. In mid-afternoon, however, they were flanked on the left and overran in desperate hand to hand fighting at . . . — — Map (db m34386) HM
Originally placed behind a hill to the rear, the 22nd Va. was moved here, in front of the Confederate artillery, where they overlooked the highway. Companies A, E, and I were later detached and sent to reinforce Col. Jackson on the left flank. Both . . . — — Map (db m34383) HM
First stationed across the highway and on the extreme right of the Confederate line, the 23rd Battalion was later moved to support the 19th Va. Cavalry on the left flank. After an initial charge that temporarily halted the Federal advance, the 23rd . . . — — Map (db m34391) HM
From this deep ravine, the 2nd WV battled its way to the mountaintop and was actively engaged in the fighting here at the Confederate center. Lieutenant J. B. Smith, the youngest officer in the regiment, was the first Federal soldier inside the . . . — — Map (db m34389) HM
The men of the 3rd WV fought their way up this ravine extending their line of battle along the mountainside until they joined with the 28th Ohio. Upon reaching the top, they helped break the Confederate line and pursued the defeated army south . . . — — Map (db m34390) HM
With help from the Federal artillery, the 8th WV attacked the Confederate center by climbing up the cleared face of this ridge. There they were joined by the 2nd WV, overran the the breastworks and forced the defending Confederates to fall back . . . — — Map (db m34387) HM
Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, author of 85 books, one of them "The Good Earth," for which she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Literature (1932), was born here at Stulting Place, June 26, 1892. In 1938, she achieved further distinction when she . . . — — Map (db m34143) HM
Protecting much of the Confederate army were seven artillery pieces, all of which were placed above the highway. Both smoothbore and rifled cannon were present and blocked efforts by the Union army to advance up the main road. However, the position . . . — — Map (db m34385) HM
The Cranberry Glades are the naturalist's paradise. In a great natural bowl in nearby mountains, 4000 ft. high, is a misplaced tract of Arctic tundra in southern mountains. Here is found reindeer moss and other rare plants. — — Map (db m34397) HM
Here, November 6, 1863, Union troops, commanded by Gen. W.W. Averell, defeated Confederate forces under Gen. John Echols. This has been considered the most extensive engagement in this State and the site was made a State park in 1929. — — Map (db m34364) HM
Here Gen. W.W. Averell camped before the Battle of Droop Mountain and after his raid to Salem, Virginia, in 1863. Settlements were made in the vicinity in the 1760s by John McNeel and the Kinnisons. Birthplace of Pearl Buck. — — Map (db m34352) HM
This marks the spot where John D. Baxter, Orderly Sergeant, Co. F, 10th W.Va. Inft. Fell inside the Confederate line leading the last charge, November 6th, 1863. — — Map (db m34394) HM
Commanded Co.F. in the last charge that the 10th W.Va. Vol. Inft. made that broke the Confederate line at the bloody angle, where so many of the brave men of both armies fell, November 6th, 1863. — — Map (db m34395) HM
Nearly five months after West Virginia was admitted into the Union, the Confederate army of Brigadier General John Echols still occupied the prosperous Greenbrier Valley region of the new state. From its headquarters in Lewisburg, his army was the . . . — — Map (db m34380) HM
Nearly five months after West Virginia was admitted into the Union, the Confederate army of Brigadier General John Echols still occupied the prosperous Greenbrier Valley region of the new state. From its headquarters in Lewisburg, his army was the . . . — — Map (db m34382) HM
Nearly five months after West Virginia was admitted into the Union, the Confederate army of Brigadier General John Echols still occupied the prosperous Greenbrier Valley region of the new state. From its headquarters in Lewisburg, his army was the . . . — — Map (db m34393) HM
*Federal Soldiers*
2nd WV Mounted Infantry
Henry Emmerling • Andrew M. Barnett • Samuel Bowden • Edward Doyle • William L. Hughes • Charles Ritz • Thomas J. Akers • William Garroll • Moses More • John Murphy • Marcus D. Kenney • Edward . . . — — Map (db m164958) WM
On November 5, 1863, Union Gen. William W. Averell established his command post and camp on the wide plain in front of you known as the Little Levels. Averell came here with his combined force of infantry and cavalry while conducting a raid on the . . . — — Map (db m59356) HM
This tree began its life in the year 1670. It was 79
years old when the first white settlers arrived in
Pocahontas County. 193 when Civil War soldiers took
shelter behind its trunk, and 258 when Droop Mountain
Battlefield State Park was formed. . . . — — Map (db m164962) HM
William L. "Mudwall" Jackson and the main body of the 19th Virginia Cavalry were in camp near Mill Point on November 3, 1863, when they received a message from Lt. George W. Siple, a Pocahontas County native in Capt. William L. McNeel's Company F, . . . — — Map (db m34333) HM
John D. Sutton, 10th West Virginia Infantry, wrote, "The army went into camp in the levels between Mill Point and Hillsboro." These fields were later owned by 2nd Lt. Matthew John McNeel, Company F, 19th Virginia Cavalry, and the Capt. Edgar . . . — — Map (db m34146) HM
This miniature anticline or upfold (Huntersville Arch) in the Tuscarora Sandstone shows the features of the larger structures which produce oil and gas. The "Tuscarora Sand" produces some gas although it is largely unexplored in West Virginia. — — Map (db m34197) HM
Established in 1821. Early trading post here brought hunters and trappers and gave name to the town. In 1822, first county court met here at the home of John Bradshaw. Gen. Lee was encamped here in 1861. — — Map (db m34196) HM
Huntersville JailHuntersville was the county seat of Pocahontas, 1821-1891. Jail was built about 1878 of white Medina sandstone and considered almost an escape-proof structure. It was used until county seat was moved to Marlinton in 1891. . . . — — Map (db m34194) HM
You are standing on Black Mountain. This mountain and Big Spruce Mountain, to your left, were named for the giant spruce trees that once darkened their slopes.
In the early 1900’s, loggers from eight camps in this valley hauled valuable spruce . . . — — Map (db m34476) HM
Site of early settlement and fort of Thomas Drinnon. Scene of attacks by Indians in 1774 and 1778. To the east, on the land of Jacob Warwick, stood Fort Clover Lick, garrisoned during the Revolutionary War by Augusta County militia. — — Map (db m34414) HM
During the war, Union and Confederate forces crossed the Greenbrier River covered bridge many times to attack and counterattack through Pocahontas County. This area was then called Marlin's Bottom, on or near three turnpikes. Across the river, the . . . — — Map (db m179229) HM
(front)
The old Seneca Indian Trail from New York to Georgia may be seen at this point. During the French and Indian War, 18 settlers lost lives in vicinity. During Indian raids in 1779, 13 were killed and many were taken captive. . . . — — Map (db m34402) HM
Marlinton
“There ain’t no G in MARLINTON!”…so wrote Andrew Price, the first mayor of Marlinton. The town gets its name from Jacob Marlin who arrived here in 1749 with Stephen Sewell and built a cabin near the mouth off the . . . — — Map (db m155089) HM
From here you can see much of the Highland Scenic Highway and the Williams River Valley. The Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 to protect mountain watersheds and to reduce flooding in far away cities. The forest is a protective . . . — — Map (db m34475) HM
We invite you to immerse yourself in the rich history, the incomparable
beauty and the warm hospitality of Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Splash in a cold mountain stream, fish in a pristine river, or sleep under the
stars. Glimpse the past at . . . — — Map (db m164965) HM
Home of Anna Wallace (1867-1952), in 1922 the first woman elected as Superintendent of Schools for Pocahontas County. Ten women were elected county superintendents in 1922, the first year WV women were able to run for that office after passage of . . . — — Map (db m104285) HM
On the morning of November 5, 1863, Union troops under General William Averell attacked Colonel William Jackson's Confederates around Mill Point, a site used by Jackson as a supply depot. As the skirmishing continued, Federal reinforcements led . . . — — Map (db m159701) HM
Here in 1750 Stephen Sewell, a pioneer settler, camped. It was site of Fort Day, 1774. To the north James and John Bridger were killed in the Indian raids, 1778. Here James E.A. Gibbs invented the chain stitch sewing machine. — — Map (db m34341) HM
Huntersville (three miles northwest of here) in January 1862. Camp Northwest became Confederate Col. William L. Jackson’s headquarters and a supply depot for the outposts under Jackson’s command. Called the Huntersville line, it stretched from the . . . — — Map (db m58226) HM
By late 1944, inmates from Mill Point Prison Camp finished WV 39 between Richwood and Mill Point. Sections of the road follow an old railroad grade of the Cherry River Boom and Lumber Company.
A task force appointed by President John F. . . . — — Map (db m210989) HM
In this mountain gap, through which came early pioneers, Gen. W.W. Loring camped, 1861, with 10,000 Confederates. In July, Gen. Robert E. Lee succeeded him. North and south is the mountain road which offers a remarkable sky line drive. — — Map (db m34198) HM
(West Virginia Side):West Virginia (Pocahontas County)"The Mountain State" ~ western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. Settled by the Germans and Scotch-Irish. It became a line of defense between the English and . . . — — Map (db m34233) HM
On May 4, 1925, a northbound freight train was approaching this bridge when a boxcar derailed. Loaded with brick, the car bounced along the railway ties and hit the edge of the bridge causing one entire span to plummet into the river! Amazingly, no . . . — — Map (db m179274) HM
If you look closely, you can see the ruins of the vault of an old general store. This is the last large landmark remaining from the town of "Watoga.” In 1922, 51 African American coal miners and their families moved from Mercer County into an . . . — — Map (db m179270) HM
On this knoll, General Robert E. Lee maintained headquarters from July to September, 1861, after taking command of the Confederate forces in West Virginia. His army on Valley Mountain guarded the road leading south into Virginia. — — Map (db m34365) HM
