10/1/2010
HILLSBORO, W.Va. - The site of the last significant Civil War battle was fought at Droop Mountain on Nov. 6, 1863. The grounds are quiet in the 21st century. Signs and markers scattered about the park tell stories of a battle fought. Artifacts in a small museum reveal history of both sides of the war. And on Oct. 9 and 10, that silence will be shattered with a reenactment of the Battle of Droop Mountain. The 147th Anniversary reenactment will play out again by the West Virginia Reenactors Association. The event is open to the public.
“The association strikes a balance between a number of reenacting activities and allowing time to enjoy the park, battlefield and scenic views found here,” said Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park Supt. Mike Smith. “The weekend includes a reenactment scenario tied to historical facts. The Saturday battle at 3 p.m. reflects the skirmish at Mill Point leading up to Droop Mountain. The Sunday battle at 1 p.m. will be the Battle of Droop Mountain itself, reenacted on a portion of the actual battlefield.”
An unscripted tactical exercise covering most of the park grounds is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9. Authentic Sutlers are welcome at Droop Mountain and there is a pre-registration process and form posted on the park website along with other Sutler and reenactor participation information.
Activities include a welcome social Friday evening and civilian activities centered on a civilian social to be held near the Union camp during the tactical. Saturday morning includes officers/NCO meetings, colors, safety inspections and tactical. At 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, the “Skirmish at Mill Point” occurs. Saturday evening features the Droop Mountain Open Air Ball and Young Ladies’ Cotillion with music and dance. Sunday morning finds an authentic church service at the overlook near the Confederate camp. Officers/NCO meeting and safety inspections at the camps occur prior to the main event on, Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.: The Battle of Droop Mountain.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located in the southeastern part of West Virginia, on Route 219, 15 miles south of Marlinton and 27 miles north of Lewisburg. It is a day use park and has no overnight facilities but is near Seneca State Forest, Cass Scenic Railroad, and Watoga State Park. Droop Mountain State Park was featured in the June 2010 issue Wonderful West Virginia Magazine, “Guardian of History.”
The Battle of Droop Mountain event is open to the public at no charge. The park website includes a complete outline provided by the WV Reenactors Association of activities for visitors and for reenactors at www.droopmountainbattlefield.com/droopmtnpacket.pdf.
Information about the park and activities is online at www.droopmountainbattlefield.com. For additional information, e-mail droopmountain@wvdnr.gov. If phoning, call (304) 653-4254 during business hours and leave a message.
About the Battle of Droop Mountain
On November 6, 1863, the federal army of Brigadier General William W. Averell, in his second attempt to disrupt the Virginia-Tennessee Railroad at Salem, Virginia, faced again the Confederate troops of Brigadier General John Echols. Throughout the morning, Echols' smaller confederate army held the high ground and blocked the highway with artillery, but in the afternoon was overwhelmed by the crushing advance of federal infantry on his left flank. Following the collapse of his lines, General Echols retreated south into Virginia with the remnants of his command.
Federal Troops occupied Lewisburg on November 7, 1863, but being burdened with prisoners and captured livestock, General Averell elected to return to his headquarters in Beverly, West Virginia, waiting until early December to lead a third and ultimately successful attack on the vital railroad. Operations in the Shenandoah Valley in the spring of 1864 drew remaining confederate troops out of West Virginia, thus leaving the new state securely under the control of the federal government for the remainder of the war.
Contact Information
Supt. Mike Smith, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
droopmountain@wvdnr.gov