The Battle of Rich Mountain - July 11th, 1861

The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11th, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia. Major General George B. McClellan assumed command of Union forces in western Virginia and on June 27th, he moved his troops from Clarksburg south. He meet the forces of Lt. Colonel John Pegram's troops in the vicinity of Rich Mountain on July 9th. On July 11th, Brig. General William S. Rosecrans led a brigade along a mountain path to seize the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike in Pegram’s rear. A short fight split the Confederates in two. Half escaped to the nearby town of Beverly and the other half surrendered. The Union victory at Rich Mountain was instrumental in propelling McClellan to command of the Army of the Potomac.