The Battle of Scary Creek was a minor battle fought during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

across the Kanawha River from present day

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in Putnam County, West Virginia on July 17, 1861. Battle of Scary Creek map

Background

The battle occurred three months after the beginning of the war and days before the first major battle at Manassas (Bull Run). Union forces under General Jacob Cox began a push up the Kanawha Valley from Ohio. Confederate General Henry A. Wise commanded a few thousand troops stationed near present-day St. Albans, WV.

Order of Battle

Union

* 12th Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel John Lowe (Union field commander) * 21st Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel Jesse S. Norton * 2nd Kentucky Infantry Regiment (Union) - Colonel William E. Woodruff * 11th Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel Charles A. De Villiers *George's Independent Ohio Cavalry Company - Captain John S. George *Cotter's Battery of Ohio Light Artillery - Captain Charles S. Cotter *Barnett's Battery of Ohio Light Artillery - Colonel James Barnett

Confederate

* 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment - Colonel

George S. Patton Sr. Colonel George Patton Sr. (June 26, 1833 – September 25, 1864) was a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War. He was the grandfather of World War II general George S. Patton. George Patton was also the great-grandfather of Major G ...

*Kanawha Border Rangers - Captain Albert G. Jenkins

Battle

The battle occurred when Union regiments advanced toward the Confederate camp. Lieutenant Colonel

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, the grandfather of the famous

of World War II, commanded the Confederate line behind Harlem Creek, 2 miles from the main Confederate camp. The Union forces engaged the Confederates, launching artillery barrages and musket volleys. The 21st Ohio charged the Confederates with bayonets but were repulsed with casualties. The Union forces began falling back after suffering casualties from the charge.

Post-Battle Confusion

After the Federal forces began falling back, for some reason, the Confederates thought that fresh Union reinforcements were arriving and the result was a retreat by both sides. The Confederates realized their mistake, however, and returned to the battlefield to claim victory.

Aftermath

Despite tactical victory, General Wise, in a highly criticized move, decided to withdraw back up the Kanawha Valley toward the Confederate supply bases in Fayette and Greenbrier Counties. Thus, the victory was hollow for the South. Wise's retreat resulted in most of the Kanawha Valley falling into Union hands. Casualties were rather light considering the ferocity of the battle. The Union lost 14 killed, approximately 30 wounded, and several missing. The Confederates lost between 1-5 killed, and a half a dozen wounded, including Lieutenant Colonel Patton.

Sources

* Lowry, Terry. ''The Battle of Scary Creek: Military Operations in the Kanawha Valley, April–July 1861''. Quarrier Press; 2 edition (April 1998). {{DEFAULTSORT:Scary Creek, Battle Of Battles of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War Confederate victories of the American Civil War Battles of the American Civil War in West Virginia Putnam County, West Virginia 1861 in the American Civil War 1861 in Virginia July 1861 events