The Battle of Greenbrier River, also known as the Battle of Camp Bartow, took place on October 3, 1861 in Pocahontas County, Virginia (present-day West Virginia) as part of the Western Virginia Campaign of the American Civil War.
Background
In the early months of the Civil War, the Union Army occupied Tygarts Valley in Randolph County, Virginia (present-day West Virginia), while the Confederate Army established a camp at Travelers Repose (now Bartow) in Pocahontas County. The Confederate camp, known as Camp Bartow, was named in honor of Colonel Francis S. Bartow of the 7th Georgia Regiment, who was killed at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.
The Battle
On the night of October 2, 1861, Union General Joseph J. Reynolds led a force of approximately 5,000 men from Cheat Mountain to reconnoiter the Confederate position at Camp Bartow. Reynolds' force consisted of three brigades: the First Brigade, commanded by Reynolds himself; the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel Nathan Kimball; and the Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel Samuel S. Carroll.
At dawn on October 3, Reynolds' force attacked the Confederate camp. The Confederates, under the command of General Henry R. Jackson, were outnumbered but had the advantage of knowing the terrain. The battle raged for several hours, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.
By mid-morning, it was clear that the Union forces were not making any progress. Reynolds ordered a retreat, and the Union forces withdrew back to Cheat Mountain.
Aftermath
The Battle of Greenbrier River was a tactical victory for the Confederates, but it had no strategic significance. The Union Army continued to occupy Tygarts Valley, and the Confederate Army was forced to withdraw from Camp Bartow.
Casualties
The Union Army suffered 25 killed and 125 wounded in the Battle of Greenbrier River. The Confederate Army suffered 31 killed and 122 wounded.
Conclusion
The Battle of Greenbrier River was a small but significant battle in the Western Virginia Campaign. The battle demonstrated that the Union Army was capable of defeating the Confederate Army in the mountains of West Virginia.
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