Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park (Tour) - Clio

Entries on This Tour

1. Stop 1: Confederate Camp Gauley

To begin the Carnifex Ferry battlefield tour make your way to the first stop on Rt. 23, which branches off the main park road. If you are parked in the main parking area take the Patterson Trail Connector located just past the playground and when you intersect with the Patterson Trail continue to the right. Alternatively, you can walk down the main road and turn left onto Rt. 23 to bypass the first section of the Patterson Trail.

2. Stop 2: Approach of the Union Troops & Attempts to Attack the Confederate Left

Leaving Stop 1, walk back on Rt. 23 (away from the main road) until it intersects with the Patterson Trail. Turn right onto the trail and continue until you reach the sharp bend in the trail where it doubles back on itself and begins to go uphill out of the valley.

3. Stop 3: Fighting Around the Patterson House; the 10th and 12th Ohio

From Stop 2 continue on the Patterson Trail until you reach the clearing around the Patterson House. There are several points of interest to explore at Stop 3 including the Patterson house and well, the Union artillery position, the Patterson cornfield, and the grave of Granville Blevens. The Patterson house is open to the public on weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day.

4. Stop 4: Reconnaissance of the Confederate Right Flank

Once you have finished exploring around the Patterson house, cross the main park road and pick up the Patterson Trail on the other side. When you come to the branch in the trail continue straight onto the Pierson Hollow Trail and follow it until the end.Note: In addition to Pierson Hollow being a crucial Union position during the battle, there are also 30 acres of old-growth forest with trees 250-400 years old.

5. Stop 5: Union Flank Attack at Dusk

From Stop 4, retrace your route back along the Pierson Hollow Trail for approximately 0.2 miles or 5 minutes. Turn to face to your left and you are in the position of the Union line on the evening of September 10. The Confederate line is approximately 800 feet ahead of you.

6. Stop 6: The Confederate Right Flank & the 45th Virginia

After Stop 5, continue back along the Pierson Hollow Trail until you reach the intersection with the Patterson Trail from earlier. Continue on the Patterson Trail by taking the branch to the left that continues uphill out of the ravine. Continue on the trail until you arrive at the stairs down to the Copperhead Overlook.

7. Stop 7: Floyd's Retreat

After Stop 6 continue along the Patterson Trail, enjoying the scenic overlooks with views of the Galley River below. Once done with the main Picnic Overlook, continue on the Patterson Trail past the picnic shelters until you join with the Old Ferry Road Trail. Take the Old Ferry Road Trail for 0.3 miles. You are following the start of the route taken by Floyd’s Confederate army as they retreated.Once you are finished with stop 7, you can finish the Patterson Trail loop by continuing on the Patterson Trail to your right. Once you reach the Patterson Trail Connector you can take that back to the point where you started this tour. Alternatively, from the Old Ferry Road you can retrace your steps back to the picnic area to bypass this section of the Patterson Trail.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

Created by Keith Durst on December 7th 2013, 7:18:05 pm.

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Description

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park preserves the history of a significant Civil War battle that occurred here while also offering recreational opportunities and breathtaking views of the rim of Gauley River Canyon. The battle of Carifex Ferry took place on September 10, 1861. In this battle, Union troops led by Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans engaged Confederate forces and forced them to evacuate their position on the Henry Patterson Farm that overlooked Carnifex Ferry. The Confederate commander, Brigadier General John B. Floyd, retreated across Carnifex Ferry to the south side of the Gauley River and then eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg. This Civil War battle represented the failure of a Confederate attempt to regain control of the Kanawha Valley. As a result, the movement for West Virginia statehood proceeded following the battle without a serious military threat from Confederate soldiers who remained in the area.

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