Battle of Corrick’s Ford Summary
The Battle of Corrick’s Ford took place on July 13, 1861. General Robert S. Garnett, retreating with his men, ordered the 23rd Virginia to hold their ground at the Ford while he directed the main evacuation. As Garnett turned to order a retreat, he was fatally shot, becoming the first general officer to be killed in action during the Civil War. The Confederates continued their retreat, and the Union forces ceased pursuit. The Union victory at Corrick’s Ford helped secure Federal control of Western Virginia, paving the way for the formation of the State of West Virginia.
Battle of Corrick’s Ford History and Overview
During the summer of 1861, Union and Confederate forces struggled for control of western Virginia. The area was highly important because gaps in the Appalachian Mountains connected the East to the Midwest. The Virginia Militia acted quickly, disrupting traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and taking control of turnpikes through the mountains.
The U. S. War Department countered by sending 20,000 troops into the area under the command of Major General George McClellan. McClellan’s forces pressed the Confederate troops in the area throughout the summer and fall, gradually driving the Confederates out of the region, paving the way for the creation of the State of West Virginia in October 1861, although the federal government did not formally recognize the new state until June 1863.
Battle of Philippi
On June 3, 1861, Union troops commanded by Brigadier General Thomas A. Morris surprised a Confederate encampment at Philippi, Virginia, and scored a Union victory. Many historians consider the Battle of Philippi to be the first significant land engagement in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.
Battle of Rich Mountain
On July 11, 1861, approximately 2,000 of McClellan’s soldiers, commanded by Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans, used a remote mountain pass to flank Pegram’s fortifications at Rich Mountain. Upon learning of Rosecrans’ approach, Pegram dispatched a force to stop the Yankees. During the heated afternoon engagement that followed, the outnumbered Confederates held off the Bluecoats for two hours before being subdued at the Battle of Rich Mountain. With Rosecrans at his back, Pegram evacuated his defenses that night.
July 13, 1861 — Corrick’s Ford Battle
Upon learning of Pegram’s withdrawal, Robert S. Garnett abandoned Laurel Hill, marching his men across Cheat Mountain and into the Cheat River Valley. McClellan sent Morris’ Indiana Brigade in pursuit. Rugged mountain terrain, heavy rains, and muddy roads that bogged down his wagon trains slowed Garnett’s retreat. On July 13, around noon, Morris caught up with Garnett’s rear guard near Corrick’s Ford over Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat River.
In a desperate attempt to enable the bulk of his command to escape, Garnett ordered the 23rd Virginia to buy some time by making a stand at the ford. Garnett directed the main evacuation and then returned to oversee the removal of his rearguard. As he turned on his horse to order a retreat, a member of the 7th Indiana mortally wounded him with a gunshot in the back, making him the first general officer to die in action during the Civil War. However, another member of the 7th Indiana disputed the claim and believed Garnett was killed by friendly fire.
Battle of Corrick’s Ford Outcome
After Garnett’s death, the Confederates continued their retreat, and McClellan called off the pursuit. The remainder of Garnett’s force escaped to Monterey, Virginia two days later.
Casualties at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford were relatively minor by later Civil War standards. The Union suffered about thirteen soldiers killed and forty wounded. The Confederacy lost twenty soldiers killed, ten wounded, and fifty captured.
The Union victory at Corrick’s Ford helped to secure federal control of western Virginia and contributed to the establishment of the State of West Virginia. In the wake of a few more Union victories in the region that autumn, residents of thirty-nine counties in western Virginia approved the formation of the new state on October 24. On June 20, 1863, officials in Washington completed the formalities and admitted West Virginia to the Union.
Battle of Corrick’s For Significance
The Union victory at Corrick’s Ford helped to secure federal control of western Virginia and contributed to the establishment of the State of West Virginia.
Battle of Corrick’s Ford Facts
Date and Location
- July 13, 1861
- Tucker County, Virginia (now West Virginia)
Campaign
Principal Union Commanders
- Major General George B. McClellan
- Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans
- Brigadier General Thomas A. Morris
Principal Confederate Commanders
- Brigadier General Robert S. Garnett
Union Forces Engaged
- Department of the Ohio
Confederate Forces Engaged
- Army of the Northwest
Number of Union Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 20,000
Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 4,500
Estimated Union Casualties
- 50 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)
Estimated Confederate Casualties
- 53 (13killed, 40 (wounded)
Result
- Union victory
Battle of Corrick’s Ford Timeline
These are the main events and battles of the Western Virginia Campaign that took place around the Battle of Corrick’s Ford.
- June 3, 1861 — Battle of Philippi
- July 6–7, 1861 — Battle of Middle Fork Bridge
- July 11, 1861 — Battle of Rich Mountain
- July 13, 1861 — Battle of Corrick’s Ford
- July 17, 1861 — Battle of Scary Creek
- August 26, 1861 — Battle of Kessler’s Cross Lanes
- September 10, 1861 — Battle of Carnifex Ferry
- September 12–15, 1861 — Battle of Cheat Mountain
- October 3, 1861 — Battle of Greenbrier River
- December 13, 1861 — Battle of Camp Allegheny