|
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia in 1864 that allowed the Union
forces to destroy the last railroad connected from Tennessee to Virginia. Two future U.S. presidents also fought in the battle: Rutherford B. Hayes and William
McKinley.
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain transpired on May 9, 1864, at Pulaski County, Virginia. The Union commanding
general was George Crook, and the Confederate commanding general was Albert G. Jenkins. Union troops estimates were 6,100,
and Confederate forces were numbered at 2,400. Union casualties were 688, while Confederates casualties were 538.
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain
Jenkins decided to make a stand at Cloyd's Mountain, and set up a strong defensive position. When Crook
arrived he decided against a frontal assault, concluding that the Confederate works were too strong and such an attack would
decimate his army. The surrounding area was heavily forested so Crook used this as cover and swung his brigades around to
the Confederate right flank.
Crook began the battle with an artillery barrage and then advanced his brigade of green West
Virginians under Colonel Carr B. White. Crook's remaining two brigades under Horatio G. Sickel and future president Rutherford
B. Hayes were to launch a frontal assault as soon as the West Virginians had gotten under way. Carr's brigade, in its first
fight ever, advanced to within 20 yards before heavy casualties; its exposed position forced its withdraw. Crook, moving with
Hayes' Ohio brigade, had to dismount and traverse the slopes on foot because they were too steep. Still wearing his jack boots,
he sank in a small stream, that his troops were crossing, and his boots filled with water. Nearby soldiers rushed back to
their general and pulled him out.
Hayes' brigade spearheaded the main assault at approximately 11 a.m. The troops fought
their way to the Confederate works and severe hand-to-hand fighting ensued. Sparks from the musket fire ignited the thick
blanket of leaves on the ground and many men from Sickel's and Hayes' brigades were pinned down and burned alive. The two
brigades began to fall back when Crook sent in two fresh regiments into Hayes' front. The West Virginians finally advanced
against the cannon that had plagued them throughout the battle and overran its crew. Now, the Ohio troops began to overwhelm
the Confederate center. Jenkins tried desperately to shift troops to the threatened areas, but fell mortally wounded and was
captured by Union soldiers. His second-in-command, John McCausland, took command and conducted a rear-guard action as he withdrew
his troops.
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was short and involved few troops, but contained some of the most severe and
savage fighting of the war. The entire engagement lasted a little over an hour with much of it being hand-to-hand combat.
Casualties were high for the modest number of troops involved. Crook lost 688 men, roughly 10% of his force. The Confederates
lost fewer men—538—but that totaled 23% of their total force. The battle is considered a Union victory because
Crook was able to advance and destroy the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad at Dublin, Virginia, and Averell was also able to
destroy several railroad bridges along the same line, severing one of the Confederacy's last vital lifelines and its only
rail connection to East Tennessee.
Sources: Kennedy, Frances H., editor, The Civil War Battlefield Guide: Second Edition (1998); Official Records
of the Union and Confederate Armies; National Park Service.
Advance to:
Recommended Reading: The Shenandoah Valley Civil War Battles
Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain
Battlefield History Southwestern Virginia Railroads American Civil War Battles Union Confederate President Rutherford B Hayes
President William McKinley Pictures Photographs
|
