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{{good article}}
{{infobox military conflict
{{short description|Battle in the American Civil War}}
|conflict =Battle of Charleston, Va (WV)
{{Infobox military conflict
|partof =the [[American Civil War]]
|conflict = Battle of Charleston
|date =September 13, 1862
|partof = the [[American Civil War]]
|place =[[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County, Virginia]] (now [[West Virginia]])
| image = Map of West Virginia highlighting Kanawha County.svg
|coordinates ={{coord|38|20|50|N|81|38|00|W|display=inline,title}}
| image_size = 300px
|result =[[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] victory
| alt = county map of West Virginia highlighting Kanawha County in west-central part of state
|status =
|caption = [[Kanawha County, West Virginia]]
|combatants_header =
|date = September 13, 1862
|combatant1 ={{flagicon|USA|1861}} [[United States]] ([[Union (American Civil War)|Union]])
|place = [[Kanawha County, West Virginia]]
|combatant2 ={{flagicon|CSA|1861c}} [[Confederate States of America|CSA (Confederacy)]]
|coordinates = {{coord|38|20|50|N|81|38|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=title}}
|commander1 =[[Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn]]<br>
|result = [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] victory
|commander2 =[[William W. Loring]]<br>[[John McCausland]]
|combatant1 = {{flagicon|USA|1861}} [[United States]] ([[Union (American Civil War)|Union]])
|strength1 = 5,000
|combatant2 = {{flagicon|CSA|1861}} [[Confederate States of America|Confederate States]]
|strength2 = 5,000
| units1 =[[District of the Kanawha]]{{blist|First Brigade|Second Brigade|Additional troops}}
|casualties1 =256
| units2 =[[Department of East Tennessee and West Virginia|Dept. of SW Virginia]]{{blist|First Brigade|Second Brigade|Third Brigade}}
|casualties2 =404}}
|commander1 = [[Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn|Joseph A.J. Lightburn]]{{blist|Edward Siber|Samuel A. Gilbert}}
|commander2 = [[William Wing Loring|William W. Loring]]{{blist|[[John McCausland]]|[[John Stuart Williams|John S. Williams]]|[[Gabriel C. Wharton]]}}
|strength1 = ~{{nbsp}}5,000
|strength2 = ~{{nbsp}}5,000
|casualties1 =19{{blist|11 killed|2 wounded|6 captured/missing}}<!--Lowry pp.409-414-->
|casualties2 =8{{blist|4 killed|4 wounded|unknown captured/missing}}<!--Lowry pp.414-421-->
|notes =
}}
{{about|an 1862 battle fought in what is now Charleston, West Virginia|other similarly named battles|Battle of Charleston (disambiguation)}}


The '''Battle of Charleston''' was a [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] victory in [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County, Virginia]], on September{{nbsp}}13, 1862, during the [[American Civil War]]. Troops led by Major General [[William W. Loring]] defeated a [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] force led by Colonel [[Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn]]. This battle, which featured extensive use of artillery but few casualties, was the second major fight in Loring's [[Kanawha Valley Campaign of 1862]] that succeeded in driving Union forces out of the [[Kanawha River]] Valley. All points in the Kanawha River Valley were in the southwestern part of [[Virginia in the American Civil War|Virginia]] at the time of the battle, but are now part of the state of [[West Virginia in the American Civil War|West Virginia]].
[[Image:Charleston battle2.jpg|thumb|right|1862 Boston newspaper article on the Battle of Charleston]]


After a victory in the [[Battle of Fayetteville (1862 Western Virginia)|Battle of Fayetteville]] on September{{nbsp}}10, and a pursuit down the Kanawha River, Loring caught Lightburn's force at Charleston during the morning of September{{nbsp}}13. Much of the fighting became an artillery duel, especially after Lightburn brought his command to the west side of the [[Elk River (West Virginia)|Elk River]]. Once Lightburn burned a bridge across the river, it became difficult for Loring to continue his pursuit. Lightburn retreated to the safety of [[Ohio in the American Civil War|Ohio]], but abandoned the direct route along the Kanawha River to avoid Confederate [[Cavalry in the American Civil War|cavalry]] waiting for him. He brought 700 wagons of supplies with him.
The '''Battle of Charleston''' was an engagement on September 13, 1862, near [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]] in [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County, Virginia]] (now [[West Virginia]]), during the Kanawha Valley Campaign of the [[American Civil War]]. It should not be confused with the [[Battle of Charleston (1861)]], which occurred a year earlier in [[Missouri]].


Loring did not conduct much of a pursuit, and was content to gather supplies in Charleston. His report claimed he captured supplies worth at least $1,000,000 ({{Inflation|US|1000000|1862|fmt=eq}}), and the nearby salt-mines were saved. He established headquarters in Charleston, and released a declaration urging locals to join him. In less than four weeks, he offended Confederate leadership and was replaced by Brigadier General [[John Echols]]. The Union commander in the Kanawha Valley prior to Lightburn was [[Jacob Dolson Cox]]. In October, Cox was promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]] and returned to the valley. Confederate troops were gone by November.
During the summer of 1862, General [[William W. Loring]]’s [[Department of Southwestern Virginia]] ([[Confederate States of America]]) made plans to move into the [[Kanawha River|Kanawha Valley]] of western Virginia and take the city of Charleston after General Cox and the Kanawha Division left the Kanawha Valley to help the Union Army in the battles at South Mountain and Sharpsburg (Antietam), Maryland. Colonel Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn was left in command of the Union forces that remained that included the 4th WV INF, 8th WV INF, 9th WV INF, 13th WV INF, 2nd WV CAV, 80th Kanawha Co. Militia, 16th Ohio INF, 34th Ohio INF, 37th Ohio INF, 44th Ohio INF, 47th Ohio INF, 89th Ohio INF, 91st Ohio INF, 1st East Tennessee CAV, 49th Indiana INF and the 84th Indiana INF. On September 6, 1862, General Loring, with 5,000 men, left [[Narrows, Virginia]] on a march toward Charleston. They included the 22nd VA INF, 23rd Battalion VA INF, 26th Battalion VA INF, 30th Battalion VA Sharpshooters, 36th VA INF, 45th VA INF, 50th VA INF, 51st VA INF, 60th VA INF, 63rd VA INF, Bryan’s Battery, Chapman’s Battery, Lowrys Battery, Oleys Battery, Stamps Battery, 8th VA CAV, 14th VA CAV, 17th VA CAV, 36th Battalion VA CAV, Jenkins CAV and Floyd’s Scouts. The Confederate troops first encountered Union forces near [[Fayetteville, West Virginia|Fayetteville]] on September 10, driving them back toward Charleston. The pursuit continued all day on September 11, with the Federals splitting their forces near Gauley's Bridge on both sides of the [[Kanawha River]], the Confederates doing the same while in hot pursuit. By late afternoon on September 13, the Battle for Charleston had begun and was over by 7:30&nbsp;p.m. when Loring's troops broke off the engagement at the [[Elk River (West Virginia)|Elk River]] where the Union forces had destroyed the bridge once they had crossed. McCausland was able to find a ford to cross the Elk River near present day Mink Shoals later in the day but was only able to get his cavalry across. The Union forces withdrew across the [[Kanawha River]] overnight to Point Pleasant, leaving Charleston to be occupied by the Confederate forces.


==Background==
The occupation of Charleston by the Confederates lasted six weeks, until October 28, 1862, when Loring's troops began withdrawing under the threat of 12,000 Union soldiers, including several West Virginia infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments, approaching from the northeast counties. The city was occupied without opposition by the Union.
{{Main|Kanawha Valley Campaign of 1862}}
[[Image:Western Virginia 1862.png|thumb|upright=1.75|right|The Kanawha River Valley was important to the Confederacy|alt=map of Western Virginia in 1862 including the Kanawha River, which flows past Charleston to the Ohio River]]
In the [[American Civil War]], [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] forces controlled a large portion of southwestern [[Virginia in the American Civil War|Virginia]] during the summer of 1862.<ref name="Evans60WV">{{harvnb|Evans|1899|p=60 (WV section)}}</ref> [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] [[Jacob Dolson Cox]] was commander of the [[District of the Kanawha]], which included [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]] and southwestern Virginia along the [[Kanawha River]] Valley.<ref name="Lowry25">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=25}}</ref> The western portion of Virginia had few good roads and few settlements.<ref name="Starr154-156">{{harvnb|Starr|1981|pp=154–156}}</ref> Using small steamboats from the [[Ohio River]], the Kanawha River could be navigated for about {{convert|70|mi}} to a point about {{convert|10|mi}} upstream from Charleston, which meant the river could be used to transport troops and supplies. Charleston is located where the [[Elk River (West Virginia)|Elk River]] joins the Kanawha River.<ref name="Cox63">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|p=63}}</ref>


Further upstream (with non-navigable portions), the Kanawha River is formed by the meeting of the [[New River (Kanawha River tributary)|New River]] and the [[Gauley River]] at the community of [[Gauley Bridge, West Virginia|Gauley Bridge]]. That community was important not only for its river connections, but also because the [[James River and Kanawha Turnpike]] ran through it and was intersected by another road that ran northeast to [[Summersville, West Virginia|Summersville]] and beyond.<ref name="Cox80-81">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=80-81}}</ref> The Kanawha River Valley portion of Virginia, including Charleston (county seat of [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County]]), became part of the Union state of [[West Virginia in the American Civil War|West Virginia]] on June 20, 1863.<ref name="SnellChPLoc66">{{harvnb|Snell|2012|loc=Preface Loc. 66 of e-book}}</ref>
Excerpt from John D. Chapla's history of the [[50th Virginia Infantry]]:


On August 14, 1862, Cox began moving his Kanawha Division to [[Washington, D.C., in the American Civil War|Washington]] as reinforcement for Major General [[John Pope (military officer)|John Pope]]'s [[Army of Virginia]].<ref name="Cox224226">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=224–226}}</ref> Exceptions to Cox's orders were about 5,000 troops left behind and put under the command of Colonel [[Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn]].<ref name="Cox225227">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=225, 227}}</ref> Soon after Cox left the Kanawha Valley, Pope's [[Quartermaster Corps (United States Army)|quartermaster]] was captured along with numerous records, and [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] leaders learned that Cox had left only 5,000 men in the Kanawha Valley at posts around Gauley Bridge.<ref name="Cox392">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|p=392}}</ref> In the southern half of western Virginia, many of the people from the mountains were pro-Union, while the majority in the large valleys were pro-Confederate.<ref name="MacCorkle271">{{harvnb|MacCorkle|1916|p=271}}</ref> The Kanawha Valley was important to the Confederacy in 1862 because of its salt deposits and its potential for new army recruits.<ref name="Lowry4">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=4}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Salt, an essential part of the diet for humans and livestock, was also used for preserving meat during the time of the American Civil War.<ref name="VAsalt">{{cite web
<blockquote>
|title=Geology and the Civil War in Southwest Virginia: The Smyth County Salt Works
Reaching Colonel John McCausland at Dickerson's farm, Loring ordered McCausland to take charge of Echols' Brigade -- Echols being sick -- as well as the 22nd and 36th Virginia regiments, two artillery batteries, and Major Salyer's cavalry detachment. With this force, McCausland was to cross the Kanawha and push on to Charleston. McCausland crossed the Kanawha at Montgomery's Ferry and, with Salyer's cavalry leading, began his pursuit. By the end of the day McCausland had stopped federal efforts to burn the salt furnaces and went into camp four miles from the ferry. On September 12, McCausland again pressed forward, with the federals attempting to block the roads by felling trees. Although McCausland's lead elements and sharpshooters tried to interrupt this delaying action, it appears to have been somewhat successful. McCausland at some points fell up to three hours behind the fleeing federals. He camped that night 15 miles from Charleston."
|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Mineral Resources (August 1996)
|url=https://energy.virginia.gov/commercedocs/VAMIN_VOL42_NO03.pdf
|access-date=2022-03-05
|archive-date=2021-12-18
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218180126/https://energy.virginia.gov/commercedocs/VAMIN_VOL42_NO03.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref>|group=Note}} The valley, including Charleston, also contained a large amount of supplies used by Union troops.<ref name="Barton83">{{harvnb|Barton|1890|p=83}}</ref> [[General officers in the Confederate States Army#Major general|Major General]] [[William Wing Loring|William W. Loring]] was ordered to clear the Kanawha Valley of Union soldiers, and then move northeast to form a junction with more Confederate soldiers in the [[Shenandoah Valley]].<ref name="Cox392"/>


==Opposing forces==
McCausland resumed his pursuit on September 13, moving through Camp Piatt (now Belle) and Maiden to the outskirts of Charleston. Making contact with Union skirmishers near the Elk River, McCausland deployed his brigade about 3 p.m., with the 23rd Virginia Battalion in front as skirmishers and the 22nd, 50th, and 63rd Virginia (left to right) deployed on line behind the skirmishers. The 36th Virginia was in reserve. McCausland pushed forward with his left moving through the town until he reached the Elk River and discovered that the federals had retreated across the river, destroying the only bridge over it. As McCausland probed during the next several hours for crossing points, he skirmished heavily with the Union forces drawn up across from him. "The firing was terrific, and the old 50th was gallantly through the yards and fields of Charleston under a galling fire of grape shot and musket balls," an anonymous officer in the regiment reported."
===Union army===
[[Image:J.A.J.Lightburn.png|thumb|upright=0.5|right|[[Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn|J.A.J. Lightburn]]|alt=Old picture of an American Civil War general with beard]]
[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn assumed command of the Kanawha District on August 17, 1862.<ref name="Scott1058">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1058}}</ref> He was very religious and had little combat experience.<ref name="Lowry5">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=5}}</ref> Under his command were seven [[Infantry in the American Civil War|infantry]] [[Regiment (United States Army)|regiments]] and one [[Cavalry in the American Civil War|cavalry]] regiment. He also had eight mountain [[M1841 mountain howitzer|howitzers]] and six [[Field artillery in the American Civil War|artillery]] pieces—three rifled and three smooth bore.<ref name="Scott1058"/> His forces were:
* The First [[Brigade (United States Army)|Brigade]] was commanded by Colonel Edward Siber.<ref name="Scott1060">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1060}}</ref> It consisted of the [[34th Ohio Infantry Regiment|34th]] and [[37th Ohio Infantry Regiment|37th Ohio Infantry]] regiments.<ref name="Scott1060"/> Siber had over 20 years of service as a [[Prussian Army|German soldier]] in [[Prussia]] and [[Brazil]].<ref name="Lowry29">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=29}}</ref>
* The Second Brigade was commanded by Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert.<ref name="Scott1063">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1063}}</ref> Gilbert had combat experience, and had fought in the [[Battle of Cheat Mountain]] and the [[Battle of Lewisburg]].<ref name="Lowry32">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=32}}</ref> Under his command were the [[44th Ohio Infantry Regiment|44th]] and [[47th Ohio Infantry Regiment|47th Ohio Infantry]] regiments.<ref name="Scott1058-1059">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|pp=1058-1059}}</ref> Gilbert's brigade also included two [[Company (United States Army)|companies]] from the [[2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment|2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry Regiment]] commanded by [[Major (United States)|Major]] John J. Hoffman.<ref name="Scott1063"/> At the time of the battle, four companies from the [[4th West Virginia Infantry Regiment|4th Loyal Virginia Infantry Regiment]] and one company from the [[9th West Virginia Infantry Regiment|9th Loyal Virginia Infantry Regiment]] had been placed under Gilbert's command.<ref name="Scott1064">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1064}}</ref>
* Other troops that were not permanently attached to a brigade were the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry, and the 4th, [[8th West Virginia Infantry Regiment|8th]], and 9th Loyal Virginia infantry regiments. These regiments were often split and scattered throughout the region. Over half of the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Colonel John C. Paxton, was elsewhere during the battle. Two companies, commanded by Major John J. Hoffman, were with Gilbert's Second Brigade.<ref name="Scott1063"/> Another two cavalry companies were under the command of the cavalry's Lieutenant Colonel Rollin L. Curtis.<ref name="Scott1058-1059"/>{{#tag:ref|Curtis is identified as a major in Lightburn's September 24 report, but the regimental historian notes that Curtis was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commissioned on August 19.<ref name="Sutton55">{{harvnb|Sutton|2001|p=55}}</ref>|group=Note}} The 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry was present at the battle and commanded by [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] William H. H. Russell.<ref name="Lowry84">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=84}}</ref> There is no evidence that the 8th Loyal Virginia Infantry was present for the battle at Charleston.<ref name="Lowry192">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=192}}</ref> The only casualty known for that regiment, in the entire campaign, occurred in October.<ref name="Lowry409">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=409}}</ref>


===Confederate army===
Although McCausland was ultimately able to get his cavalry across the Elk at a ford two miles east of Charleston, he found that ford impassable for his infantry and artillery. In the end, darkness halted the fight for the brigade about 7:30 p.m. McCausland moved his troops to eat and rest as the Union garrison began a retreat out of the town."
[[Image:WWLoring CSA.png|thumb|upright=0.5|right|[[William Wing Loring|William W. Loring]]|alt=Old picture of a balding Confederate Civil War general with a long mustache]]
</blockquote>
Major General William W. Loring commanded the [[Department of East Tennessee and West Virginia|Department of Southwestern Virginia]].<ref name="Scott1068">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1068}}</ref> He had been a soldier since the age of 14, was a sergeant at the age of 17, and fought in the [[Second Seminole War]] and the [[Mexican–American War]].<ref name="Lowry5"/> Under his command were six infantry regiments, three infantry battalions, and batteries.<ref name="Scott1081">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1081}}</ref>
* The First Brigade was normally commanded by Brigadier General [[John Echols]]. It consisted of the [[50th Virginia Infantry Regiment|50th]] and [[63rd Virginia Infantry Regiment|63rd Virginia Infantry]] regiments, plus Derrick's [[23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion]].<ref name="Evans65WV">{{harvnb|Evans|1899|p=65 (WV section)}}</ref> Echols became ill, so the brigade was commanded by Colonel [[John McCausland]].<ref name="Scott1090">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1090}}</ref> Added to this brigade were the [[22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment|22nd]] and [[36th Virginia Infantry Regiment|36th]] Virginia Infantry regiments. Also part of the brigade were [[Lowry's Artillery|Lowry's Battery]], Otey's Battery, and a small portion of cavalry.<ref name="Scott1090"/>
* The Second Brigade was commanded by Brigadier General [[John Stuart Williams|John S. Williams]].<ref name="Scott1081"/> Under his command were [[26th Virginia Infantry Battalion|Edgar's Battalion]] and the [[45th Virginia Infantry Regiment]].<ref name="Evans65WV"/> The 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment was detached to the First Brigade.<ref name="Scott1090"/> His artillery (six pieces) was led by Major [[J. Floyd King|John Floyd King]].<ref name="Scott1084">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1084}}</ref>
:* The Third Brigade was commanded by Colonel [[Gabriel C. Wharton]].<ref name="Scott1088">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1088}}</ref> In the battle of Charleston, the brigade united and cooperated with the Second Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Williams.<ref name="Scott1089">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1089}}</ref> The brigade consisted of the [[51st Virginia Infantry Regiment]] and [[30th Virginia Sharpshooters Battalion]] (a.k.a. Clarke's Battalion of Sharpshooters).<ref name="Evans65WV"/>


==Movement to battle==
==References==
===Cavalry raid===
{{Main|Jenkins' Trans-Allegheny Raid}}
[[Image:Jenkins Trans-Allegheny Raid 1862V2.png|thumb|upright=2.0|right|Loring planned to attack the Union force after Jenkins circled behind and cut off the main Union path for retreat.|alt=Old map showing positions of Union and Confederate armies, including the circular route made by Jenkins]]
Confederate Major General Loring planned to take control of the Kanawha River Valley by leading a large force in an assault on Union forces located in [[Raleigh County, West Virginia|Raleigh]], [[Fayette County, West Virginia|Fayette]], and Kanawha counties. As early as August 31, Union leaders had received reports that Loring had a force of 10,000 troops.<ref name="Lowry59">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=59}}</ref> Loring's force actually consisted of about 5,000 men instead the rumored 10,000, but he expected to add to it by recruiting and organizing existing local militias.<ref name="Cox392"/>{{#tag:ref|One author (Francis Lightburn Cressman) claims that Loring reported a force of only 5,000 men, which was lower than its actual size, to downplay his numerical advantage and make his victories appear as difficult accomplishments.<ref name="Lowry25"/>|group=Note}}


Part of Loring's plan was sending a cavalry force through {{convert|500|mi}} of Union–controlled territory to cut off the most direct Union route of retreat downriver.<ref name="Lowry45">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=45}}</ref> The cavalry force was led by Brigadier General [[Albert G. Jenkins]] and consisted of about 550 men.<ref name="Evans62WV">{{harvnb|Evans|1899|p=62 (WV section)}}</ref> On August 22, Jenkins started north from [[Salt Sulphur Springs, West Virginia|Salt Sulphur Springs]]. He captured a Union supply depot on August 30, and was able to resupply his poorly-armed men.<ref name="Scott1885p757-759">{{harvnb|Scott|1885|pp=757-759}}</ref> News of Jenkins reached Union Colonel Lightburn, who was headquartered at Gauley Bridge. He sent orders to concentrate his forces, and the Union outpost at Raleigh Court House was abandoned on September 3. Union Colonel Edward Siber moved his brigade north from Raleigh Court House to Fayette Court House.<ref name="Lowry66">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=66}}</ref> By September 5, Jenkins was at the small town of [[Buffalo, West Virginia|Buffalo]] located on the Kanawha River between Charleston and the Ohio River. His mission was accomplished, and Union forces upriver were not where he would go next.<ref name="Lowry74-75">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=74-75}}</ref> On the next day, Loring's brigades began moving north from their camps near [[Red Sulphur Springs, West Virginia|Red Sulphur Springs]], Grey Sulphur Springs, and the [[Narrows, Virginia|Narrows of New River]].<ref name="Lowry78">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=78}}</ref>
* Synopsis of information contained in ''50th Virginia Infantry, Regimental History''; John D. Chapla, ©1997 H.E. Howard, Lynchburg, VA, pages 50–58.


===Fayetteville===
* “The Battle of Charleston and the 1862 Kanawha Valley Campaign” by Terry Lowry, 35th Star Publishing 2016
{{Main|Battle of Fayetteville (1862 Western Virginia)}}
[[Image:Lorings Map Fayetteville.png|thumb|upright=1.5|right|Loring's map for Fayetteville ("Fayette C.H." in center) and Gauley Bridge|alt=Old map drawn in pencil on blue-lined paper]]
Loring moved through [[Princeton, West Virginia|Princeton]], [[Flat Top Mountain (West Virginia)|Flat Top Mountain]], and on to Raleigh Court House.<ref name="Cox392-393">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=392-393}}</ref> Arriving at the Union fortification at Raleigh Court House (today's Beckley) on September 9, he discovered that Union troops had evacuated.<ref name="Lowry91">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=91}}</ref> He attacked the Union front and right flank at Fayette Court House (a.k.a. Fayetteville) on September 10, and fierce fighting occurred all day.<ref name="Lowry133">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=133}}</ref> Between 1:00{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}2:00{{nbsp}}am on September 11, Union Colonel Edward Siber's brigade quietly abandoned the Union outpost at Fayette Court House and moved north.<ref name="Lowry141">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=141}}</ref>

Lightburn believed his entire force would need to retreat, and their probable destination was [[Point Pleasant, West Virginia|Point Pleasant]] on the Ohio River at the mouth of the Kanawha River. Union forces not located at Fayetteville, including at Summersville and Gauley Bridge, prepared to retreat.<ref name="Scott1057">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1057}}</ref> The Union commander at Fayetteville, Colonel Siber, led a fighting retreat, with the largest skirmishes occurring at Cotton Hill and Montgomery Ferry between Fayetteville and the Kanawha River.<ref name="Lowry141"/> Elements of Lightburn's other brigade, commanded by Colonel Samuel Gilbert, provided artillery protection from the north side of the river. Union troops on both sides of the river (Siber on the south side, Gilbert on the north) continued retreating down the Kanawha River with the Confederates pursuing.<ref name="Lowry158">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=158}}</ref>

===Charleston===
On September 12, Lightburn waited at Union Camp [[Abram S. Piatt|Piatt]].<ref name="Lowry169">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=169}}</ref> The camp was located on the Kanawha River about {{convert|13|mi}} upriver (east) from Charleston.<ref name="Cox395">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|p=395}}</ref> Siber's brigade crossed the Kanawha River near the camp, and Lightburn's command was reunited.<ref name="Lowry175">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=175}}</ref> Lightburn believed that about 8,000 Confederates were in the valley. He knew he was being pursued by Loring, and thought Confederate cavalry was waiting downriver from Charleston to cut off the Union retreat.<ref name="Lowry169"/>

Just after midnight (September 13 am), Lightburn's men began moving downriver to Charleston.<ref name="Lowry183">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=183}}</ref> The town's population for 1861 was about 1,500, and it was located on the Kanawha River and a major road known as the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. On the downriver (west) side of town, the Elk River empties into the Kanawha River, and travelers on the turnpike must cross the Elk River on a suspension bridge.<ref name="Lowry181">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=181}}</ref> Many of Lightburn's troops took a defensive position on the downriver side of the Elk River, while the remaining troops took forward positions on the east side.<ref name="Lowry192"/> Lightburn urged locals to evacuate the town.<ref name="Lowry185">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=185}}</ref>

==Battle==
[[Image:Battle of Charleston 1862.png|thumb|upright=1.5|right|Union troops eventually destroyed the bridge across the Elk River to escape the pursuing Confederate army|alt=map showing positions of Union and Confederate armies, with the Union troops protected by the Elk and Kanawha rivers]]
Lightburn's force east of the Elk River consisted of a portion of the 47th Ohio Infantry aided by three mountain howitzers, and a small detachment of the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry. This group was led by Colonel Lyman S. Elliott, and its first (eastmost) position was near a large home known as Rosedale.<ref name="Lowry191-193">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=191-193}}</ref> Elliott's pickets east of town began being driven back a few minutes before 9:30{{nbsp}}am.<ref name="Lowry195">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=195}}</ref> Loring's pursuing Confederate troops were led on the north side of the Kanawha River by Colonel John McCausland. He deployed the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion in front as skirmishers.<ref name="Lowry193">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=193}}</ref> McCausland's main battle line consisted of the 63rd Virginia Infantry Regiment on his right, the 50th Virginia Infantry Regiment in the center, and the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment on the left. The 36th Virginia Infantry Regiment, artillery, and some cavalry were originally kept in reserve.<ref name="Lowry194">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=194}}</ref> Loring's force on the south side of the Kanawha River was led by Brigadier General John S. Williams, and he mostly made use of his artillery, the 30th Battalion Virginia Sharpshooters, and the 45th Virginia Infantry. While McCausland was driving back Union pickets, Union infantry tried to cross the Kanawha River and attack Williams, but this was quickly repulsed.<ref name="Lowry193"/>

As the fighting escalated, Colonel Gilbert made the Union troop placements, while Colonel Siber positioned the artillery.<ref name="Lowry201-202">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=201-202}}</ref> Confederate artillery fire from both sides of the Kanawha River caused the 47th Ohio to fall back into the middle of town, while Union artillery returned fire.<ref name="Lowry194"/> The new Union front line had one company of the 47th Ohio facing the Kanawha River while the remaining portion of the line extended across the streets of the town and ended near the Elk River.<ref name="Lowry198">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=198}}</ref> At about 1:00{{nbsp}}pm, Lightburn realized that the Confederates were getting closer, and he gave orders to burn all government buildings containing supplies that could not be removed. By 1:30{{nbsp}}pm, both sides were making heavy use of their artillery—and buildings were burning. Union wagons were already moving away from town.<ref name="Lowry203">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=203}}</ref> At 2:00{{nbsp}}pm the 47th Ohio was surrounded on three sides, and Gilbert brought them away from town across the Elk River bridge. The regiment's Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Parry was involved with the destruction of the Elk River bridge.<ref name="Lowry204">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=204}}</ref> The bridge was destroyed by setting it on fire and cutting its cables. Any pursuit by McCausland became much more difficult.<ref name="Lowry214">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=214}}</ref>

Although the destruction of the Elk River bridge formed a barrier between Lightburn and McCausland, an artillery duel continued until 10:00{{nbsp}}pm. Lightburn's wagon train stopped moving around 3:00{{nbsp}}pm—and prevented the army's retreat because it blocked the road. Colonel Gilbert rode to the front of the train and discovered that the cause of the stoppage was overloaded wagons and quartermaster's fears that the enemy was in their front. He solved the problem by having Colonel Elliott take control, and Elliott was eventually able to get the wagon train moving.<ref name="Lowry214"/> Among the wagons were local families and [[African Americans]] who also sought to flee Confederate troops.<ref name="Vance127-128">{{harvnb|Vance|1896|pp=127-128}}</ref>

==Retreat==
[[Image:LightburnEscapesToOhio.png|thumb|upright=1.5|right|Lightburn escaped from the pursuing Confederate forces using the road to Ripley instead of the direct route to Point Pleasant|alt=Old map showing Union retreat route north to the Ohio River]]
Lightburn chose to have his supply wagons move northwest down the Ripley Road—not the road along the Kanawha River that ran directly to Point Pleasant.<ref name="Lowry203"/> The longer route enabled his force to avoid a possible confrontation with Confederate cavalry (either [[John B. Floyd]] or Jenkins) believed to be where the Coal River emptied into the Kanawha River (a.k.a. Coalsmouth).<ref name="Lowry208-209">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=208–209}}</ref> In addition, the route along the Kanawha River would continuously be within the range of William's artillery that could still advance along the south side of the river.<ref name="Cox396">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|p=396}}</ref> Lightburn continued north toward Ripley until he reached [[Sissonville, West Virginia|Sissonville]] (Pocatalico), where he camped for the night. The battle was over and Loring possessed Charleston.<ref name="Lowry233">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=233}}</ref>

On September 14, the Confederates constructed a [[pontoon bridge]] over the Elk River and camped on the other side.<ref name="Lowry239">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=239}}</ref> The pursuit was soon abandoned, since they had left their supply trains behind earlier in their effort to catch the Union army as it retreated from Fayetteville and Gauley Bridge. Loring's report also said that the enemy was getting close to the Ohio River, making it "useless to pursue him farther".<ref name="Scott1071">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1071}}</ref> Loring's main force settled in at Charleston, and began taking inventory of captured supplies.<ref name="Scott1071"/>

Lightburn's men continued their retreat. On September 15, portions of Lightburn's command reached Ripley.<ref name="Lowry247">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=247}}</ref> On the next day, Union troops moved from Ripley to Ravenswood, and began crossing the Ohio River. The 4th Loyal Virginia, with the artillery, boarded barges destined for Point Pleasant. Other troops crossed the river on steamboats and barges, and began marching to Point Pleasant on the Ohio side of the river.<ref name="Lowry248">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=248}}</ref> Lightburn's entire Union army did not reach Point Pleasant until the evening of September{{nbsp}}18.<ref name="Lowry256">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=256}}</ref> The retreat later became known as "Lightburn's Retreat".<ref name="Sutton56">{{harvnb|Sutton|2001|p=56}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Private Joseph J. Sutton, of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, describes the event in a chapter from his regimental history called "Lightburn's Retreat".<ref name="Sutton56"/> The surgeon for the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry, Dr. Thomas H. Barton, uses the label "Lightburn's Retreat" in the table of contents for his autobiography.<ref name="Bartonv">{{harvnb|Barton|1890|p=v}}</ref> Historian Terry Lowry has a chapter in one of his books that begins with the title "Lightburn's Retreat", and implies the retreat began after the Battle of Fayetteville.<ref name="Lowry141"/>|group=Note}}

==Aftermath==
Loring was content to remain in Charleston, and issued a proclamation on September 14 that urged the local population to join him.<ref name="Lowry240">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=240}}</ref> He had achieved his objective—drive the Union army out of the Kanawha Valley.<ref name="Sutton61">{{harvnb|Sutton|2001|p=61}}</ref> On September 19, western Virginia was attached to the command of Union Major General [[Horatio G. Wright]], who was headquartered in [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]].<ref name="Lowry259-260">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=259-260}}</ref> Wright ordered Brigadier General [[Quincy Adams Gillmore]] to take command at Point Pleasant on September 27, but than changed his mind and sent Brigadier General [[Robert H. Milroy]].<ref name="Lowry274">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=274}}</ref> In early October, Cox was promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]] and sent back to Point Pleasant as commander of western Virginia.<ref name="Lowry299">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=299}}</ref>

Loring remained in Charleston until October 9, when he began moving his army upriver.<ref name="Lowry315">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=315}}</ref> Loring had become argumentative and uncooperative with Confederate leadership, so he was replaced by Brigadier General [[John Echols]] in mid-October.<ref name="Lowry329">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=329}}</ref> By October 28, Echols was moving east as the Union army advanced up the Kanawha River.<ref name="Lowry351">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=351}}</ref> On the afternoon of October 30, Cox moved his army across the Elk River into Charleston.<ref name="Cox413">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|p=413}}</ref> By November 2, a division of Union troops was at Gauley Bridge, and inspections were being conducted at Fayetteville and Raleigh Court House. On November 8, Union leadership determined that no posts needed to be established beyond Gauley Bridge.<ref name="Cox414-415">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=414–415}}</ref>

===Casualties===
Exact numbers for the Union casualties are difficult to tabulate, since Union reporting is for the entire campaign instead of only the Battle of Charleston.<ref name="Lowry409"/> Lightburn's official report for the entire campaign said 25 killed, 95 wounded, and 190 missing.<ref name="Scott1060"/> Siber's brigade did most of its fighting at the Fayetteville portion of the campaign. Although Siber does not have a detailed list of casualties, he mentions that he had "more than 80" wounded at Fayetteville.<ref name="Scott1062">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1062}}</ref> Gilbert's campaign report lists nine killed, eight wounded, and 78 missing—although he expected the number of missing to decrease.<ref name="Scott1068"/> One historian has attempted to tabulate casualties using newspaper reports, pension records, regimental histories, and correspondence.<ref name="Lowry409"/> Based on his research, Union casualties at Charleston totaled to only eleven killed, two wounded, and six missing or captured. This count is only for events that happened at Charleston on September 13, 1862. Twelve of the nineteen casualties involved the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry or the 47th Ohio Infantry.<ref name="Lowry409-414">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=409-414}}</ref> Loring, discussing Union casualties in his September 15 report, said that "Four were left dead in Charleston and 5 wounded".<ref name="Scott1080">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1080}}</ref> He also claimed "Their loss west of Elk River, opposite Charleston, where they met with heavy loss, could not be ascertained...."<ref name="Scott1080"/>

For the Confederacy, Loring's Medical Director, John A. Hunter, listed 18 killed and 89 wounded for the entire campaign.<ref name="Scott1081"/> Loring's September 13 report claimed they captured Charleston "after a stout resistance from the enemy, in which their loss was heavy, ours was very slight."<ref name="Scott1070-1071">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|pp=1070-1071}}</ref> His September 15 report says Confederate casualties were "[S]ix killed at Charleston and 8 slightly wounded....".<ref name="Scott1080"/> Using methods similar to those used to research Union casualties, one historian found evidence of only four Confederates killed and four wounded at Charleston.<ref name="LowryCSAcasualties">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=409, 414-421}}</ref>

===Performance===
[[Image:Maj. Gen. J.D. Cox.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|right|[[Jacob Dolson Cox|Jacob Cox]]|alt=Old picture of an American Civil War general with beard]]
Initial newspaper reports were positive concerning Lightburn's decision to retreat. The ''Cleveland Morning Leader'' said, "The retreat was undoubtedly a masterly movement, and does great credit to Colonel Lightburn."<ref name="CML18620925">{{cite news
|title=The Advance of the Rebels into the Kanawha Valley – Retreat of Colonel Lightburn (page 2 center column)
|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83035143/1862-09-25/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1862&index=0&rows=20&words=Lightburn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Ohio&date2=1862&proxtext=Lightburn&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
|newspaper=Cleveland Morning Leader (from Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress)
|date=September 25, 1863
|last=
|first=
|access-date=December 14, 2022
|archive-date=February 10, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210181151/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83035143/1862-09-25/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1862&index=0&rows=20&words=Lightburn&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Ohio&date2=1862&proxtext=Lightburn&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Lightburn reported that he brought back over 700 wagons. However, he also reported that he had to burn "a large amount of stores" to prevent them from being possessed by the enemy.<ref name="Scott1060"/> Loring's report claimed that Lightburn destroyed "several millions of dollars" in supplies, but he (Loring) was able to capture supplies worth at least $1,000,000 ({{Inflation|US|1000000|1862|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="Scott1074">{{harvnb|Scott|1887|p=1074}}</ref> He also noted in an earlier report that the nearby "salt-works" was saved.<ref name="Scott1071"/>

Some soldiers had a negative perspective for the battle and retreat. Cox later implied that the Battle of Charleston should not have been fought, writing that "...either of the brigades intrenched at Gauley Bridge could have laughed at Loring. The river would have been impassable, for all the ferry-boats were in the keeping of our men on the right bank, and Loring would not dare pass down the valley leaving a fortified post on the line of communications by which he must return."<ref name="Cox396-397">{{harvnb|Cox|1900|pp=396–397}}</ref> A lieutenant colonel from the 4th West Virginia Infantry, who was a captain in the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry during the campaign, wrote that Lightburn's retreat was "disastrous and demoralizing".<ref name="Vance128">{{harvnb|Vance|1896|p=128}}</ref> He believed that Loring could have been stopped at Fayetteville or Gauley if Union troops had been concentrated at those places—also implying that the Battle of Charleston could have been avoided.<ref name="Vance129-130">{{harvnb|Vance|1896|pp=129-130}}</ref>

===Preservation===
[[Image:Craik-Patton House.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|right|Former home of George S. Patton Sr. in 2012|alt=old white one-story house with four columns in front]]
The battlefield at Charleston is now covered by a modern town.<ref name="Lowry195-196">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|pp=195–196}}</ref> Some of events and places are memorialized with historical markers. Not far from Charleston is a historical marker for Camp Piatt, near [[Belle, West Virginia]], posted by the West Virginia Department of Culture and History.<ref name="Lowry168">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=168}}</ref> In Charleston, the restored Ruffner Log House (a.k.a. Rosedale), used by Lightburn as a headquarters, has been moved to a new location adjacent to the [[Craik-Patton House]]. Colonel [[George S. Patton Sr.]], commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment that fought at Charleston and grandfather of [[World War II]] General [[George S. Patton]], owned what is now called the Craik–Patton house when he was an attorney prior to the American Civil War.<ref name="Craik-Patton">{{cite web
|title=The Craik-Patton House (scroll down to The Ruffner Log House)
|publisher=Craik-Patton, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
|url=https://www.craikpattonhouse.org/about-us
|access-date=2022-11-04
|archive-date=2022-11-04
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104211127/https://www.craikpattonhouse.org/about-us
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

Two historical markers commemorate the invasion of Ohio by Jenkins that was a byproduct of Jenkins being sent to a position between Lightburn and Ohio. In West Virginia, a highway marker titled "Ohio River Ford" marks the spot at Ravenswood where Jenkins crossed into Ohio.<ref name="Lowry70">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=70}}</ref> On the Ohio side, a historical marker titled "First Ohio Invasion" discusses the invasion, and is placed at [[Buffington Island]] north of the actual crossing point.<ref name="Lowry71">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=71}}</ref> A historical marker in [[Gallipolis, Ohio]], (indirectly across the Ohio River from Point Pleasant) commemorates the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and it mentions that it was a place of refuge for soldiers "during the time of Lightburn's Retreat".<ref name="Lowry250">{{harvnb|Lowry|2016|p=250}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of West Virginia Civil War Confederate units]]
* [[List of West Virginia Civil War Union units]]
* [[West Virginia in the Civil War]]

==Notes==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|group=Note|colwidth=30em}}
===Citations===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
===References===
{{refbegin|20em}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Barton
| first = Thomas H.
| authorlink =
| title = Autobiography of Dr. Thomas H. Barton, Including a History of the Fourth Regt. West Va. Vol. Inf'y, with an Account of Col. Lightburn's retreat down the Kanawha Valley....
| publisher = West Virginia Printing Co.
| year = 1890
| location = Charleston, West Virginia
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=px5CAAAAIAAJ&q=Lightburn%27s+retreat+from+the
| oclc = 468804204
| access-date = 2023-03-18
| archive-date = 2023-03-18
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230318191348/https://books.google.com/books?id=px5CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Lightburn%27s+retreat+from+the&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjns4fflub9AhX0FVkFHdBsDF8Q6AF6BAgGEAI#v=onepage&q=Lightburn's%20retreat%20from%20the&f=false
| url-status = live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Cox
| first = Jacob Dolson
| authorlink = Jacob Dolson Cox
| title = Military Reminiscences of the Civil War Volume I - April 1861-November 1863
| publisher = Charles Scribner's Sons
| year = 1900
| location = New York, New York
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lisuAQAAIAAJ&dq=Crook+met+him+in+front+of+town&pg=PA220
| isbn = 978-3-84951-384-9
| access-date = 2021-05-12
| archive-date = 2023-02-10
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230210181215/https://books.google.com/books?id=lisuAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA220&dq=Crook+met+him+in+front+of+town&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiK74eex8TwAhXfMlkFHUm3B2cQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=Crook%20met%20him%20in%20front%20of%20town&f=false
| url-status = live
}}
*{{Cite book
| editor-last = Evans
| editor-first = Clement A.
| authorlink = Clement A. Evans
| title = Confederate Military History: A library of Confederate States History.... (Volume II)
| publisher = Confederate Publishing Company
| year = 1899
| location = Atlanta, Georgia
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KqYLui345lkC&dq=%22Jenkins+rode+on%2C+crossing+Rich+mountain+by+a+trail%22&pg=RA1-PA62
| oclc = 951143
| access-date = 2022-05-26
| archive-date = 2022-05-26
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220526201343/https://books.google.com/books?id=KqYLui345lkC&pg=RA1-PA62&dq=%22Jenkins+rode+on,+crossing+Rich+mountain+by+a+trail%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV-7jD-_33AhUPTDABHcD5Dl0Q6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Jenkins%20rode%20on%2C%20crossing%20Rich%20mountain%20by%20a%20trail%22&f=false
| url-status = live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Lowry
| first = Terry
| title = The Battle of Charleston and the 1862 Kanawha Valley campaign
| publisher = 35th Star Publishing
| year = 2016
| location = Charleston, West Virginia
| oclc = 981250860
| isbn =978-0-96645-348-5
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = MacCorkle
| first = William Alexander
| authorlink=William A. MacCorkle
| title = The White Sulphur Springs; the Traditions, History, and Social Life of the Greenbriar White Sulphur Springs
| publisher = W.A. MacCorkle
| year = 1916
| location = Charleston, West Virginia
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9z8VAAAAYAAJ&q=The+White+Sulphur+Springs+Maccorkle
| oclc = 11083303
| isbn =
|access-date=2021-03-29
}}
*{{Cite book
| editor-last = Scott
| editor-first = Robert N.
| title = The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series I Volume XII Part II
| publisher = Government Printing Office
| year = 1885
| location = Washington, DC
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fme_Mm_xdd0C&dq=jenkins+invades+ohio&pg=PA756
| oclc = 427057
| isbn = 978-0-91867-807-2
| access-date = May 31, 2022
| archive-date = May 31, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220531182711/https://books.google.com/books?id=fme_Mm_xdd0C&pg=PA756&dq=jenkins+invades+ohio&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOoNSqrIr4AhUHUjABHVJJAVo4ChDoAXoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=jenkins%20invades%20ohio&f=false
| url-status = live
}}
*{{Cite book
| editor-last = Scott
| editor-first = Robert N.
| title = The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series I Volume XIX Part I
| publisher = Government Printing Office
| year = 1887
| location = Washington, DC
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4oqLKvzDkRwC&dq=%22Fayette+attacked+to-day+at+noon+by+a+superior+force+of+the+enemy%22&pg=PA1057
| oclc = 427057
| isbn = 978-0-91867-807-2
| access-date = May 23, 2022
| archive-date = May 23, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220523214441/https://books.google.com/books?id=4oqLKvzDkRwC&pg=PA1057&dq=%22Fayette+attacked+to-day+at+noon+by+a+superior+force+of+the+enemy%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGz_PSy_b3AhVMp3IEHRywAuUQ6AF6BAgDEAI
| url-status = live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Snell
| first = Mark A.
| title = West Virginia and the Civil War : Mountaineers are Always Free
| publisher = History Press
| year = 2012<!--e-book-->
| location = Charleston, SC
| oclc = 1051048067
| isbn = 978-1-61423-390-9
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Starr
| first = Stephen Z.
| title = Union Cavalry in the Civil War Volume II – The War in the East from Gettysburg to Appomattox 1863–1865
| publisher = Louisiana State University Press
| year = 1981
| location = Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| oclc = 4492585
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Sutton
| first = Joseph J.
| title = History of the Second Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers, During the War of the Rebellion
| publisher = Blue Acorn Press
| year = 2001<!-- This book is a reproduction of an 1892 book with an additional 55 photos -->
|orig-year=1892
| location = Huntington, WV
| oclc = 263148491
| isbn = 978-0-9628866-5-2
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Vance
| first = John L.
| authorlink = John L. Vance
| contribution = The Retreat of the Union Forces from the Kanawha Valley in 1862
| editor-last = Chamberlin
| editor-first = William Henry
| title = Sketches of war history, 1861–1865 : Papers Read Before the Ohio Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
| publisher = The Robert Clarke company
| year = 1896
| location = Cincinnati, Ohio
| pages = 118–132
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qtoSAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22Near+the+close+of+August%2C+orders+were+received+from%22&pg=PA118
| doi =
| id =
| oclc = 191708365
| isbn =
| access-date = March 20, 2023
| archive-date = March 23, 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230323161141/https://books.google.com/books?id=qtoSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA118&dq=%22Near+the+close+of+August,+orders+were+received+from%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrw-zZsev9AhW3F1kFHcTYCwoQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Near%20the%20close%20of%20August%2C%20orders%20were%20received%20from%22&f=false
| url-status = live
}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Battle of Charleston (West Virginia)}}
* [http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh23-1.html West Virginia History]
* [https://archive.wvculture.org/history/markers/sesqui/battleoffayetteville.html Battle of Fayetteville Historical Marker] - (mentions Charleston)
* [http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?page=1076&dir=027 Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies - Report of Major J. Floyd King]
* [https://archive.wvculture.org/history/markers/sesqui/camppiatt.html Camp Piatt Highway Historical Marker]
* [http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?page=1090&dir=027 Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies - Report of Colonel John McCausland]
* [https://www.theclio.com/web/tour/summary?id=296 Clio tour of Civil War sites around Charleston, WV.]
* [https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/westvirginia.htm List of West Virginia Civil War Battles] - National Park Service


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}

Latest revision as of 01:23, 7 November 2023

Battle of Charleston
Part of the American Civil War
county map of West Virginia highlighting Kanawha County in west-central part of state
Kanawha County, West Virginia
DateSeptember 13, 1862
Location38°20′50″N 81°38′00″W / 38.34722°N 81.63333°W / 38.34722; -81.63333
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Joseph A.J. Lightburn
  • Edward Siber
  • Samuel A. Gilbert
William W. Loring
Units involved
District of the Kanawha
  • First Brigade
  • Second Brigade
  • Additional troops
Dept. of SW Virginia
  • First Brigade
  • Second Brigade
  • Third Brigade
Strength
~ 5,000 ~ 5,000
Casualties and losses
19
  • 11 killed
  • 2 wounded
  • 6 captured/missing
8
  • 4 killed
  • 4 wounded
  • unknown captured/missing

The Battle of Charleston was a Confederate victory in Kanawha County, Virginia, on September 13, 1862, during the American Civil War. Troops led by Major General William W. Loring defeated a Union force led by Colonel Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn. This battle, which featured extensive use of artillery but few casualties, was the second major fight in Loring's Kanawha Valley Campaign of 1862 that succeeded in driving Union forces out of the Kanawha River Valley. All points in the Kanawha River Valley were in the southwestern part of Virginia at the time of the battle, but are now part of the state of West Virginia.

After a victory in the Battle of Fayetteville on September 10, and a pursuit down the Kanawha River, Loring caught Lightburn's force at Charleston during the morning of September 13. Much of the fighting became an artillery duel, especially after Lightburn brought his command to the west side of the Elk River. Once Lightburn burned a bridge across the river, it became difficult for Loring to continue his pursuit. Lightburn retreated to the safety of Ohio, but abandoned the direct route along the Kanawha River to avoid Confederate cavalry waiting for him. He brought 700 wagons of supplies with him.

Loring did not conduct much of a pursuit, and was content to gather supplies in Charleston. His report claimed he captured supplies worth at least $1,000,000 (equivalent to $30,520,000 in 2023), and the nearby salt-mines were saved. He established headquarters in Charleston, and released a declaration urging locals to join him. In less than four weeks, he offended Confederate leadership and was replaced by Brigadier General John Echols. The Union commander in the Kanawha Valley prior to Lightburn was Jacob Dolson Cox. In October, Cox was promoted to major general and returned to the valley. Confederate troops were gone by November.

Background

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map of Western Virginia in 1862 including the Kanawha River, which flows past Charleston to the Ohio River
The Kanawha River Valley was important to the Confederacy

In the American Civil War, Union forces controlled a large portion of southwestern Virginia during the summer of 1862.[1] Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox was commander of the District of the Kanawha, which included Charleston and southwestern Virginia along the Kanawha River Valley.[2] The western portion of Virginia had few good roads and few settlements.[3] Using small steamboats from the Ohio River, the Kanawha River could be navigated for about 70 miles (110 km) to a point about 10 miles (16 km) upstream from Charleston, which meant the river could be used to transport troops and supplies. Charleston is located where the Elk River joins the Kanawha River.[4]

Further upstream (with non-navigable portions), the Kanawha River is formed by the meeting of the New River and the Gauley River at the community of Gauley Bridge. That community was important not only for its river connections, but also because the James River and Kanawha Turnpike ran through it and was intersected by another road that ran northeast to Summersville and beyond.[5] The Kanawha River Valley portion of Virginia, including Charleston (county seat of Kanawha County), became part of the Union state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863.[6]

On August 14, 1862, Cox began moving his Kanawha Division to Washington as reinforcement for Major General John Pope's Army of Virginia.[7] Exceptions to Cox's orders were about 5,000 troops left behind and put under the command of Colonel Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn.[8] Soon after Cox left the Kanawha Valley, Pope's quartermaster was captured along with numerous records, and Confederate leaders learned that Cox had left only 5,000 men in the Kanawha Valley at posts around Gauley Bridge.[9] In the southern half of western Virginia, many of the people from the mountains were pro-Union, while the majority in the large valleys were pro-Confederate.[10] The Kanawha Valley was important to the Confederacy in 1862 because of its salt deposits and its potential for new army recruits.[11][Note 1] The valley, including Charleston, also contained a large amount of supplies used by Union troops.[13] Major General William W. Loring was ordered to clear the Kanawha Valley of Union soldiers, and then move northeast to form a junction with more Confederate soldiers in the Shenandoah Valley.[9]

Opposing forces

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Union army

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Old picture of an American Civil War general with beard
J.A.J. Lightburn

Colonel Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn assumed command of the Kanawha District on August 17, 1862.[14] He was very religious and had little combat experience.[15] Under his command were seven infantry regiments and one cavalry regiment. He also had eight mountain howitzers and six artillery pieces—three rifled and three smooth bore.[14] His forces were:

  • The First Brigade was commanded by Colonel Edward Siber.[16] It consisted of the 34th and 37th Ohio Infantry regiments.[16] Siber had over 20 years of service as a German soldier in Prussia and Brazil.[17]
  • The Second Brigade was commanded by Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert.[18] Gilbert had combat experience, and had fought in the Battle of Cheat Mountain and the Battle of Lewisburg.[19] Under his command were the 44th and 47th Ohio Infantry regiments.[20] Gilbert's brigade also included two companies from the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major John J. Hoffman.[18] At the time of the battle, four companies from the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry Regiment and one company from the 9th Loyal Virginia Infantry Regiment had been placed under Gilbert's command.[21]
  • Other troops that were not permanently attached to a brigade were the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry, and the 4th, 8th, and 9th Loyal Virginia infantry regiments. These regiments were often split and scattered throughout the region. Over half of the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Colonel John C. Paxton, was elsewhere during the battle. Two companies, commanded by Major John J. Hoffman, were with Gilbert's Second Brigade.[18] Another two cavalry companies were under the command of the cavalry's Lieutenant Colonel Rollin L. Curtis.[20][Note 2] The 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry was present at the battle and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William H. H. Russell.[23] There is no evidence that the 8th Loyal Virginia Infantry was present for the battle at Charleston.[24] The only casualty known for that regiment, in the entire campaign, occurred in October.[25]

Confederate army

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Old picture of a balding Confederate Civil War general with a long mustache
William W. Loring

Major General William W. Loring commanded the Department of Southwestern Virginia.[26] He had been a soldier since the age of 14, was a sergeant at the age of 17, and fought in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican–American War.[15] Under his command were six infantry regiments, three infantry battalions, and batteries.[27]

Movement to battle

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Cavalry raid

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Old map showing positions of Union and Confederate armies, including the circular route made by Jenkins
Loring planned to attack the Union force after Jenkins circled behind and cut off the main Union path for retreat.

Confederate Major General Loring planned to take control of the Kanawha River Valley by leading a large force in an assault on Union forces located in Raleigh, Fayette, and Kanawha counties. As early as August 31, Union leaders had received reports that Loring had a force of 10,000 troops.[33] Loring's force actually consisted of about 5,000 men instead the rumored 10,000, but he expected to add to it by recruiting and organizing existing local militias.[9][Note 3]

Part of Loring's plan was sending a cavalry force through 500 miles (800 km) of Union–controlled territory to cut off the most direct Union route of retreat downriver.[34] The cavalry force was led by Brigadier General Albert G. Jenkins and consisted of about 550 men.[35] On August 22, Jenkins started north from Salt Sulphur Springs. He captured a Union supply depot on August 30, and was able to resupply his poorly-armed men.[36] News of Jenkins reached Union Colonel Lightburn, who was headquartered at Gauley Bridge. He sent orders to concentrate his forces, and the Union outpost at Raleigh Court House was abandoned on September 3. Union Colonel Edward Siber moved his brigade north from Raleigh Court House to Fayette Court House.[37] By September 5, Jenkins was at the small town of Buffalo located on the Kanawha River between Charleston and the Ohio River. His mission was accomplished, and Union forces upriver were not where he would go next.[38] On the next day, Loring's brigades began moving north from their camps near Red Sulphur Springs, Grey Sulphur Springs, and the Narrows of New River.[39]

Fayetteville

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Old map drawn in pencil on blue-lined paper
Loring's map for Fayetteville ("Fayette C.H." in center) and Gauley Bridge

Loring moved through Princeton, Flat Top Mountain, and on to Raleigh Court House.[40] Arriving at the Union fortification at Raleigh Court House (today's Beckley) on September 9, he discovered that Union troops had evacuated.[41] He attacked the Union front and right flank at Fayette Court House (a.k.a. Fayetteville) on September 10, and fierce fighting occurred all day.[42] Between 1:00 and 2:00 am on September 11, Union Colonel Edward Siber's brigade quietly abandoned the Union outpost at Fayette Court House and moved north.[43]

Lightburn believed his entire force would need to retreat, and their probable destination was Point Pleasant on the Ohio River at the mouth of the Kanawha River. Union forces not located at Fayetteville, including at Summersville and Gauley Bridge, prepared to retreat.[44] The Union commander at Fayetteville, Colonel Siber, led a fighting retreat, with the largest skirmishes occurring at Cotton Hill and Montgomery Ferry between Fayetteville and the Kanawha River.[43] Elements of Lightburn's other brigade, commanded by Colonel Samuel Gilbert, provided artillery protection from the north side of the river. Union troops on both sides of the river (Siber on the south side, Gilbert on the north) continued retreating down the Kanawha River with the Confederates pursuing.[45]

Charleston

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On September 12, Lightburn waited at Union Camp Piatt.[46] The camp was located on the Kanawha River about 13 miles (21 km) upriver (east) from Charleston.[47] Siber's brigade crossed the Kanawha River near the camp, and Lightburn's command was reunited.[48] Lightburn believed that about 8,000 Confederates were in the valley. He knew he was being pursued by Loring, and thought Confederate cavalry was waiting downriver from Charleston to cut off the Union retreat.[46]

Just after midnight (September 13 am), Lightburn's men began moving downriver to Charleston.[49] The town's population for 1861 was about 1,500, and it was located on the Kanawha River and a major road known as the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. On the downriver (west) side of town, the Elk River empties into the Kanawha River, and travelers on the turnpike must cross the Elk River on a suspension bridge.[50] Many of Lightburn's troops took a defensive position on the downriver side of the Elk River, while the remaining troops took forward positions on the east side.[24] Lightburn urged locals to evacuate the town.[51]

Battle

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map showing positions of Union and Confederate armies, with the Union troops protected by the Elk and Kanawha rivers
Union troops eventually destroyed the bridge across the Elk River to escape the pursuing Confederate army

Lightburn's force east of the Elk River consisted of a portion of the 47th Ohio Infantry aided by three mountain howitzers, and a small detachment of the 2nd Loyal Virginia Cavalry. This group was led by Colonel Lyman S. Elliott, and its first (eastmost) position was near a large home known as Rosedale.[52] Elliott's pickets east of town began being driven back a few minutes before 9:30 am.[53] Loring's pursuing Confederate troops were led on the north side of the Kanawha River by Colonel John McCausland. He deployed the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion in front as skirmishers.[54] McCausland's main battle line consisted of the 63rd Virginia Infantry Regiment on his right, the 50th Virginia Infantry Regiment in the center, and the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment on the left. The 36th Virginia Infantry Regiment, artillery, and some cavalry were originally kept in reserve.[55] Loring's force on the south side of the Kanawha River was led by Brigadier General John S. Williams, and he mostly made use of his artillery, the 30th Battalion Virginia Sharpshooters, and the 45th Virginia Infantry. While McCausland was driving back Union pickets, Union infantry tried to cross the Kanawha River and attack Williams, but this was quickly repulsed.[54]

As the fighting escalated, Colonel Gilbert made the Union troop placements, while Colonel Siber positioned the artillery.[56] Confederate artillery fire from both sides of the Kanawha River caused the 47th Ohio to fall back into the middle of town, while Union artillery returned fire.[55] The new Union front line had one company of the 47th Ohio facing the Kanawha River while the remaining portion of the line extended across the streets of the town and ended near the Elk River.[57] At about 1:00 pm, Lightburn realized that the Confederates were getting closer, and he gave orders to burn all government buildings containing supplies that could not be removed. By 1:30 pm, both sides were making heavy use of their artillery—and buildings were burning. Union wagons were already moving away from town.[58] At 2:00 pm the 47th Ohio was surrounded on three sides, and Gilbert brought them away from town across the Elk River bridge. The regiment's Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Parry was involved with the destruction of the Elk River bridge.[59] The bridge was destroyed by setting it on fire and cutting its cables. Any pursuit by McCausland became much more difficult.[60]

Although the destruction of the Elk River bridge formed a barrier between Lightburn and McCausland, an artillery duel continued until 10:00 pm. Lightburn's wagon train stopped moving around 3:00 pm—and prevented the army's retreat because it blocked the road. Colonel Gilbert rode to the front of the train and discovered that the cause of the stoppage was overloaded wagons and quartermaster's fears that the enemy was in their front. He solved the problem by having Colonel Elliott take control, and Elliott was eventually able to get the wagon train moving.[60] Among the wagons were local families and African Americans who also sought to flee Confederate troops.[61]

Retreat

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Old map showing Union retreat route north to the Ohio River
Lightburn escaped from the pursuing Confederate forces using the road to Ripley instead of the direct route to Point Pleasant

Lightburn chose to have his supply wagons move northwest down the Ripley Road—not the road along the Kanawha River that ran directly to Point Pleasant.[58] The longer route enabled his force to avoid a possible confrontation with Confederate cavalry (either John B. Floyd or Jenkins) believed to be where the Coal River emptied into the Kanawha River (a.k.a. Coalsmouth).[62] In addition, the route along the Kanawha River would continuously be within the range of William's artillery that could still advance along the south side of the river.[63] Lightburn continued north toward Ripley until he reached Sissonville (Pocatalico), where he camped for the night. The battle was over and Loring possessed Charleston.[64]

On September 14, the Confederates constructed a pontoon bridge over the Elk River and camped on the other side.[65] The pursuit was soon abandoned, since they had left their supply trains behind earlier in their effort to catch the Union army as it retreated from Fayetteville and Gauley Bridge. Loring's report also said that the enemy was getting close to the Ohio River, making it "useless to pursue him farther".[66] Loring's main force settled in at Charleston, and began taking inventory of captured supplies.[66]

Lightburn's men continued their retreat. On September 15, portions of Lightburn's command reached Ripley.[67] On the next day, Union troops moved from Ripley to Ravenswood, and began crossing the Ohio River. The 4th Loyal Virginia, with the artillery, boarded barges destined for Point Pleasant. Other troops crossed the river on steamboats and barges, and began marching to Point Pleasant on the Ohio side of the river.[68] Lightburn's entire Union army did not reach Point Pleasant until the evening of September 18.[69] The retreat later became known as "Lightburn's Retreat".[70][Note 4]

Aftermath

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Loring was content to remain in Charleston, and issued a proclamation on September 14 that urged the local population to join him.[72] He had achieved his objective—drive the Union army out of the Kanawha Valley.[73] On September 19, western Virginia was attached to the command of Union Major General Horatio G. Wright, who was headquartered in Cincinnati.[74] Wright ordered Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore to take command at Point Pleasant on September 27, but than changed his mind and sent Brigadier General Robert H. Milroy.[75] In early October, Cox was promoted to major general and sent back to Point Pleasant as commander of western Virginia.[76]

Loring remained in Charleston until October 9, when he began moving his army upriver.[77] Loring had become argumentative and uncooperative with Confederate leadership, so he was replaced by Brigadier General John Echols in mid-October.[78] By October 28, Echols was moving east as the Union army advanced up the Kanawha River.[79] On the afternoon of October 30, Cox moved his army across the Elk River into Charleston.[80] By November 2, a division of Union troops was at Gauley Bridge, and inspections were being conducted at Fayetteville and Raleigh Court House. On November 8, Union leadership determined that no posts needed to be established beyond Gauley Bridge.[81]

Casualties

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Exact numbers for the Union casualties are difficult to tabulate, since Union reporting is for the entire campaign instead of only the Battle of Charleston.[25] Lightburn's official report for the entire campaign said 25 killed, 95 wounded, and 190 missing.[16] Siber's brigade did most of its fighting at the Fayetteville portion of the campaign. Although Siber does not have a detailed list of casualties, he mentions that he had "more than 80" wounded at Fayetteville.[82] Gilbert's campaign report lists nine killed, eight wounded, and 78 missing—although he expected the number of missing to decrease.[26] One historian has attempted to tabulate casualties using newspaper reports, pension records, regimental histories, and correspondence.[25] Based on his research, Union casualties at Charleston totaled to only eleven killed, two wounded, and six missing or captured. This count is only for events that happened at Charleston on September 13, 1862. Twelve of the nineteen casualties involved the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry or the 47th Ohio Infantry.[83] Loring, discussing Union casualties in his September 15 report, said that "Four were left dead in Charleston and 5 wounded".[84] He also claimed "Their loss west of Elk River, opposite Charleston, where they met with heavy loss, could not be ascertained...."[84]

For the Confederacy, Loring's Medical Director, John A. Hunter, listed 18 killed and 89 wounded for the entire campaign.[27] Loring's September 13 report claimed they captured Charleston "after a stout resistance from the enemy, in which their loss was heavy, ours was very slight."[85] His September 15 report says Confederate casualties were "[S]ix killed at Charleston and 8 slightly wounded....".[84] Using methods similar to those used to research Union casualties, one historian found evidence of only four Confederates killed and four wounded at Charleston.[86]

Performance

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Old picture of an American Civil War general with beard
Jacob Cox

Initial newspaper reports were positive concerning Lightburn's decision to retreat. The Cleveland Morning Leader said, "The retreat was undoubtedly a masterly movement, and does great credit to Colonel Lightburn."[87] Lightburn reported that he brought back over 700 wagons. However, he also reported that he had to burn "a large amount of stores" to prevent them from being possessed by the enemy.[16] Loring's report claimed that Lightburn destroyed "several millions of dollars" in supplies, but he (Loring) was able to capture supplies worth at least $1,000,000 (equivalent to $30,520,000 in 2023).[88] He also noted in an earlier report that the nearby "salt-works" was saved.[66]

Some soldiers had a negative perspective for the battle and retreat. Cox later implied that the Battle of Charleston should not have been fought, writing that "...either of the brigades intrenched at Gauley Bridge could have laughed at Loring. The river would have been impassable, for all the ferry-boats were in the keeping of our men on the right bank, and Loring would not dare pass down the valley leaving a fortified post on the line of communications by which he must return."[89] A lieutenant colonel from the 4th West Virginia Infantry, who was a captain in the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry during the campaign, wrote that Lightburn's retreat was "disastrous and demoralizing".[90] He believed that Loring could have been stopped at Fayetteville or Gauley if Union troops had been concentrated at those places—also implying that the Battle of Charleston could have been avoided.[91]

Preservation

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old white one-story house with four columns in front
Former home of George S. Patton Sr. in 2012

The battlefield at Charleston is now covered by a modern town.[92] Some of events and places are memorialized with historical markers. Not far from Charleston is a historical marker for Camp Piatt, near Belle, West Virginia, posted by the West Virginia Department of Culture and History.[93] In Charleston, the restored Ruffner Log House (a.k.a. Rosedale), used by Lightburn as a headquarters, has been moved to a new location adjacent to the Craik-Patton House. Colonel George S. Patton Sr., commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment that fought at Charleston and grandfather of World War II General George S. Patton, owned what is now called the Craik–Patton house when he was an attorney prior to the American Civil War.[94]

Two historical markers commemorate the invasion of Ohio by Jenkins that was a byproduct of Jenkins being sent to a position between Lightburn and Ohio. In West Virginia, a highway marker titled "Ohio River Ford" marks the spot at Ravenswood where Jenkins crossed into Ohio.[95] On the Ohio side, a historical marker titled "First Ohio Invasion" discusses the invasion, and is placed at Buffington Island north of the actual crossing point.[96] A historical marker in Gallipolis, Ohio, (indirectly across the Ohio River from Point Pleasant) commemorates the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and it mentions that it was a place of refuge for soldiers "during the time of Lightburn's Retreat".[97]

See also

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Notes

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Salt, an essential part of the diet for humans and livestock, was also used for preserving meat during the time of the American Civil War.[12]
  2. ^ Curtis is identified as a major in Lightburn's September 24 report, but the regimental historian notes that Curtis was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commissioned on August 19.[22]
  3. ^ One author (Francis Lightburn Cressman) claims that Loring reported a force of only 5,000 men, which was lower than its actual size, to downplay his numerical advantage and make his victories appear as difficult accomplishments.[2]
  4. ^ Private Joseph J. Sutton, of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, describes the event in a chapter from his regimental history called "Lightburn's Retreat".[70] The surgeon for the 4th Loyal Virginia Infantry, Dr. Thomas H. Barton, uses the label "Lightburn's Retreat" in the table of contents for his autobiography.[71] Historian Terry Lowry has a chapter in one of his books that begins with the title "Lightburn's Retreat", and implies the retreat began after the Battle of Fayetteville.[43]

Citations

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  1. ^ Evans 1899, p. 60 (WV section)
  2. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 25
  3. ^ Starr 1981, pp. 154–156
  4. ^ Cox 1900, p. 63
  5. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 80–81
  6. ^ Snell 2012, Preface Loc. 66 of e-book
  7. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 224–226
  8. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 225, 227
  9. ^ a b c Cox 1900, p. 392
  10. ^ MacCorkle 1916, p. 271
  11. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 4
  12. ^ "Geology and the Civil War in Southwest Virginia: The Smyth County Salt Works" (PDF). Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Mineral Resources (August 1996). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  13. ^ Barton 1890, p. 83
  14. ^ a b Scott 1887, p. 1058
  15. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 5
  16. ^ a b c d Scott 1887, p. 1060
  17. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 29
  18. ^ a b c Scott 1887, p. 1063
  19. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 32
  20. ^ a b Scott 1887, pp. 1058–1059
  21. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1064
  22. ^ Sutton 2001, p. 55
  23. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 84
  24. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 192
  25. ^ a b c Lowry 2016, p. 409
  26. ^ a b Scott 1887, p. 1068
  27. ^ a b c Scott 1887, p. 1081
  28. ^ a b c Evans 1899, p. 65 (WV section)
  29. ^ a b c Scott 1887, p. 1090
  30. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1084
  31. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1088
  32. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1089
  33. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 59
  34. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 45
  35. ^ Evans 1899, p. 62 (WV section)
  36. ^ Scott 1885, pp. 757–759
  37. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 66
  38. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 74–75
  39. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 78
  40. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 392–393
  41. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 91
  42. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 133
  43. ^ a b c Lowry 2016, p. 141
  44. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1057
  45. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 158
  46. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 169
  47. ^ Cox 1900, p. 395
  48. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 175
  49. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 183
  50. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 181
  51. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 185
  52. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 191–193
  53. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 195
  54. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 193
  55. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 194
  56. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 201–202
  57. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 198
  58. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 203
  59. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 204
  60. ^ a b Lowry 2016, p. 214
  61. ^ Vance 1896, pp. 127–128
  62. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 208–209
  63. ^ Cox 1900, p. 396
  64. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 233
  65. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 239
  66. ^ a b c Scott 1887, p. 1071
  67. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 247
  68. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 248
  69. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 256
  70. ^ a b Sutton 2001, p. 56
  71. ^ Barton 1890, p. v
  72. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 240
  73. ^ Sutton 2001, p. 61
  74. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 259–260
  75. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 274
  76. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 299
  77. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 315
  78. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 329
  79. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 351
  80. ^ Cox 1900, p. 413
  81. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 414–415
  82. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1062
  83. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 409–414
  84. ^ a b c Scott 1887, p. 1080
  85. ^ Scott 1887, pp. 1070–1071
  86. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 409, 414–421
  87. ^ "The Advance of the Rebels into the Kanawha Valley – Retreat of Colonel Lightburn (page 2 center column)". Cleveland Morning Leader (from Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress). September 25, 1863. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  88. ^ Scott 1887, p. 1074
  89. ^ Cox 1900, pp. 396–397
  90. ^ Vance 1896, p. 128
  91. ^ Vance 1896, pp. 129–130
  92. ^ Lowry 2016, pp. 195–196
  93. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 168
  94. ^ "The Craik-Patton House (scroll down to The Ruffner Log House)". Craik-Patton, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  95. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 70
  96. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 71
  97. ^ Lowry 2016, p. 250

References

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