Battle of Rich Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Rich Mountain |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
 Sketch of the site of the operations of the 10th, 11th, and 12th, July 1861, at Rich Mountain |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| George B. McClellan William S. Rosecrans |
Robert S. Garnett John Pegram  |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 7,000 | 1,300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 46 | 300 | ||||||
The Battle of Rich Mountain happened on July 11, 1861. It was a fight during the American Civil War. This battle took place in what is now West Virginia. It was an important part of the war's early days.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
In June 1861, George B. McClellan became the leader of the Union army. His troops were in western Virginia. He moved his soldiers south from Clarksburg. Their goal was to fight John Pegram's Confederate troops.
By July 9, McClellan's forces were near Rich Mountain. At the same time, another Union group marched to face Robert S. Garnett's Confederates. This second group was at Laurel Hill. On July 10 and 11, a Union general named William Rosecrans led his soldiers. They took a mountain path to get behind Pegram's forces.
The Battle
A fierce fight lasted for two hours. The Confederate soldiers were split into two groups. Half of them managed to escape to Beverly. They continued their escape along the Shawnee Trail.
However, Pegram and the rest of his soldiers surrendered on July 13. This group included the "Sydney Boys." These were soldiers who had been students at Hampden-Sydney College.
What Happened Next
When Garnett heard about Pegram's defeat, he left Laurel Hill. The Union soldiers chased after him. During a fight at Corrick's Ford on July 13, Garnett was killed. He was the first general to die in the Civil War.
On July 22, McClellan was ordered to Washington. Rosecrans then took over command of the Union forces in western Virginia. The Union win at Rich Mountain was very important. It helped McClellan become the leader of the main Union army, the Army of the Potomac.
Protecting the Battlefield
Today, the battlefield and Camp Garnett are protected. They are owned by the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation. The Civil War Trust (now part of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have helped. They have bought and saved about 57 acres (0.23 km2) of the battlefield.
Images for kids
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Camp Garnett
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Marker on site of Hart House
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Historical Marker on Rich Mountain
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Looking at summit of Rich Mountain
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Looking westward (downhill) from Rich Mountain summit
