The Battle of Droop Mountain was fought on November 6, 1863, in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, during the American Civil War. A Union brigade commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell defeated a smaller Confederate force commanded by Brigadier General John Echols. Confederate forces were driven from their breastworks on Droop Mountain, losing weapons and equipment. They escaped southward through Lewisburg, West Virginia; hours before a second Union force commanded by Brigadier General Alfred N. Duffié occupied the town.
The Battle of Droop Mountain was one of the largest engagements in West Virginia during the war. Although Averell had a sound victory at Droop Mountain, he did not achieve his objectives of eliminating the Confederate army in Lewisburg and damaging the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The pro-Confederate community of Lewisburg was captured, but the Confederate army escaped and returned weeks later. No serious attempt was made to attack the railroad. After the expedition, Averell moved north to near the West Virginia-Maryland border, and Duffié moved back toward Charleston.
The Battle of Droop Mountain was significant because it was one of the last major battles in West Virginia during the Civil War. The victory helped to secure the Shenandoah Valley for the Union and weakened the Confederate forces in the region. The battle also helped to boost morale for the Union forces and showed that they could still achieve victories in the South.
Today, Droop Mountain Battlefield is a National Battlefield Site that preserves the site of the battle. The park includes hiking trails, a visitor center, and an observation tower that offers views of the battlefield. The park is open year-round and is a popular destination for history buffs, hikers, and nature lovers.
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