Battle of Corrick's Ford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Corrick's Ford
Part of the American Civil War
Date July 13, 1861 Location Tucker County, Virginia (now West Virginia) Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States of America	Confederate States of America
Commanders and leaders
George B. McClellan William S. Rosecrans Thomas A. Morris	Robert S. Garnett  †
Strength
20,000	4,500
Casualties and losses
10–53	20 killed and wounded 600 missing

The Battle of Corrick's Ford happened on July 13, 1861. It took place on the Cheat River in what was then western Virginia. Today, this area is part of the state of West Virginia. This battle was part of the early fighting in the American Civil War.

Compared to later battles, Corrick's Ford was a small fight. It is often seen as the final part of the Battle of Rich Mountain. This battle marked the end of a series of clashes between Union forces and Confederate troops. The Union side was led by George B. McClellan. The Confederate side was led by Robert S. Garnett.

The Battle of Corrick's Ford

Confederate Retreat

Union General McClellan had won a battle against part of Garnett's army on July 11, 1861. This earlier fight was called the Battle of Rich Mountain. When General Garnett heard about this loss, he decided to retreat.

Around midnight, Garnett and about 4,500 of his men began to move back towards Virginia. They first marched towards a town called Beverly. However, they received wrong information that Union soldiers were already in Beverly.

The Chase Begins

Because of this false report, the Confederates changed their path. They left the main road, known as the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike. Instead, they crossed Cheat Mountain and went into the Cheat River Valley.

Union General Thomas A. Morris quickly followed them. He led his Indiana brigade, determined to catch the retreating Confederates.

Fighting at the Ford

Around noon on July 13, General Morris's troops caught up. They found Garnett's rear guard at Corrick's Ford, a shallow crossing point on the Cheat River. The Union soldiers immediately attacked the Confederates who were trying to get away.

General Garnett personally took charge of his rear guard. He wanted to slow down the Union attack. This allowed the rest of his army to retreat further. He soon pulled back to another river crossing about a mile or two away.

General Garnett Falls

The running fight continued as the Confederates tried to escape. As General Garnett was getting ready to retreat again, Union soldiers fired their weapons. A volley of shots hit him, and he was killed instantly.

After their commander fell, the Confederate soldiers fled. They left behind their dead general, one cannon, and almost 40 wagons. A friend of Garnett's, who was in the Union Army, found his body after the battle. Robert S. Garnett was the first general officer to be killed in the American Civil War.

Aftermath of the Battle

With this Union victory, western Virginia was now firmly under Union control. It remained that way for the rest of the war. This successful campaign also helped General George B. McClellan. He was soon given command of the large Army of the Potomac.

Memorials

Two special monuments remember the Battle of Corrick's Ford. In 1926, a six-ton boulder with a bronze plaque was put in place. It was later moved to a spot along US Route 219. Another monument to the battle was revealed in 1938 at the courthouse.

Battlefield preservation

The Civil War Trust, which is now part of the American Battlefield Trust, works to save important battlefields. They and their partners have bought and protected 26 acres (0.11 km²) of the Corrick's Ford battlefield. This helps make sure this historical site is preserved for the future.