Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes
Part of the American Civil War
Date August 26, 1861 (1861-08-26) Location Nicholas County, Virginia (now West Virginia) Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Erastus Tyler	John B. Floyd
Strength
Approximately 1,000 men	2,000 men
Casualties and losses
15 killed 20 wounded 38 captured	40

The Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on August 26, 1861, in a place called Kessler's Cross Lanes. This area is now part of West Virginia, but back then it was in Virginia. This battle was part of a larger plan called the Western Virginia Campaign.

The Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes

Map of Kessler's Cross Lanes Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

What Happened?

On August 26, 1861, Confederate soldiers launched a surprise attack. These soldiers were led by Brigadier General John B. Floyd. They crossed the Gauley River to reach Kessler's Cross Lanes.

At Kessler's Cross Lanes, a Union army group was camped. This group was the 7th Ohio Infantry Regiment. They were led by Colonel Erastus Tyler.

The Confederate attack caught the Union soldiers completely by surprise. The Union forces were quickly defeated and scattered. Many soldiers were lost. Colonel Tyler's group split into two parts. Each part ran in a different direction.

One part of Tyler's group was led by Major Jack Casement. His group marched through Confederate land. They went over mountains to the Elk River. They eventually reached what is now the town of Clendenin. From there, they continued to Charleston, West Virginia. Amazingly, not a single soldier from Major Casement's group was captured.

After the Battle

After their victory, General Floyd's Confederate forces moved back to the river. They set up a strong defensive position. This new position was at a place called Carnifex Ferry.

Later that month, General Robert E. Lee arrived in western Virginia. He tried to bring together the different Confederate groups. These groups were led by Brigadier Generals Floyd and Henry A. Wise, and Colonel Douglas Micklich and William W. Loring.

de:Kampfhandlungen im Kanawha-Tal