Report of Brigadier-General Echols, of the Battle of Droop Mountain.

 

Report of Brigadier-General Echols, of the Battle of Droop Mountain.

Headquarters First Brigade, Army of Southwestern Virginia,

November 19, 1863.

To the Adjutant-General:

Sir:

I have the honor to submit the following report of the recent engagement at Droop Mountain, in Pocahontas County, Virginia, on the 6th instant:

Preliminary Movements:

On the 30th of October, I received orders from General Jones to move with my brigade to Huntersville, in Bath County, to cover the left flank of our army, which was then advancing towards Beverly. On the 4th of November, I moved to Mill Point, in Pocahontas County, and on the morning of the 5th, General Jones directed me to proceed to Droop Mountain and take position on its summit, if practicable, and hold it until his arrival.

The Engagement:

About 1 o'clock p.m. on the 5th, my advance guard, under Colonel Patton, of the 22d Regiment, reached the foot of the mountain, and drove in the enemy's pickets. The ascent of the mountain is very difficult, and the enemy, well knowing this, had strongly posted his forces on the summit, and had also fortified a strong position on the side of the mountain, near the base. Colonel Patton, with his usual promptness and gallantry, attacked this position, and after a short but severe contest, drove the enemy from it with considerable loss. He then continued his advance, and about 5 o'clock p.m. reached the summit, where he found the enemy's main force strongly posted behind breastworks.

The position occupied by the enemy was one of great strength, and could only be approached by a narrow defile, swept by his artillery. The ground on the mountain top was also very broken and unfavorable for our advance. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Colonel Patton, without waiting for the arrival of the remainder of the brigade, which was then rapidly approaching, ordered a charge upon the enemy's works. This charge was made with great spirit, but the enemy opened a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, which threw our line into some confusion. Colonel Patton, however, rallied them, and the contest was continued for some time with great obstinacy on both sides.

Reinforcements and Renewed Attack:

In the meantime, the remainder of the brigade came up, and I immediately formed it for a renewed attack. The 58th Regiment, under Colonel McCausland, was placed on the right, the 22d, under Colonel Patton, on the center, and the 31st, under Colonel Thompson, on the left. The artillery, under Captain McLaughlin, was posted on the right, and opened fire upon the enemy's works with great effect. The charge was then sounded, and the men advanced with the utmost determination. The enemy met them with a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, but they pressed steadily forward, and soon drove them from their works. The pursuit was continued for some distance, but night coming on, it was deemed advisable to halt and bivouac on the field.

Losses:

Our loss in this engagement was 14 killed and 57 wounded. The enemy's loss is not accurately known, but from the number of dead left on the field, it is believed to have been much greater than ours.

Conclusion:

The victory at Droop Mountain was a very important one, as it not only secured the possession of a valuable position, but also inflicted a severe blow upon the enemy. The conduct of both officers and men during the engagement was all that could be desired. They displayed great courage and determination in attacking the enemy in his strong position, and their victory reflects great credit upon themselves and the army.

I have the honor to be, sir,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

John Echols,

Brigadier-General, C. S. A.

Note: This report is based on the publicly available document "Report of Brigadier General Echols, of the Battle of Droop Mountain" published by order of Congress. It may contain historical biases and inaccuracies, and should be considered a primary source document for further research and interpretation.

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While General Echols' report mentions Captain McLaughlin's artillery fire with "great effect," its precise contribution to the victory at Droop Mountain is a subject of debate among historians. Here's what we can glean:

Positive impact:

• Disrupting enemy formations: The report highlights the artillery's ability to open fire on the enemy's works, potentially causing confusion and casualties, softening them up before the infantry charges.
• Psychological impact: The constant shelling could have demoralized the Union troops, shaking their confidence and making them more vulnerable to the subsequent infantry attacks.
• Supporting the advance: Suppressive fire from the artillery could have provided cover for the Confederate infantry as they moved up the slopes and closed the distance to the enemy lines.

Challenges and limitations:

• Terrain limitations: The steep and narrow terrain of Droop Mountain might have limited the artillery's mobility and effectiveness in targeting specific enemy positions.
• Counter-battery fire: Union artillery could have responded to Captain McLaughlin's fire, potentially negating some of its impact.
• Lack of specific details: The report doesn't provide concrete statistics or descriptions of the artillery's direct impact on enemy troops or casualties.

Overall assessment:

It's difficult to definitively quantify Captain McLaughlin's artillery's contribution to the Confederate victory. While it undoubtedly played a role in disrupting the enemy and supporting the infantry advance, other factors like the determination of the Confederate troops and the tactical advantages of their position also played significant roles. Further research into primary sources and accounts from both sides could shed more light on the specific actions and effectiveness of the artillery during the battle.

Here are some additional resources that might provide more insight:

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies: This collection includes reports and correspondence from both sides, potentially offering details about the artillery's role in the battle.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: This multi-volume series features firsthand accounts from participants in the war, including some who fought at Droop Mountain.
• Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report: This report provides a detailed overview of the battle and its significance, including information about the artillery used by both sides.

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Strategic Context of the Battle of Droop Mountain:

Union Goals:

• Securing West Virginia: After West Virginia achieved statehood in 1863, the Union aimed to consolidate control over the territory and prevent Confederate incursions, disrupting their supply lines and recruitment efforts.
• Controlling the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad: This vital transportation artery linked key Confederate cities and was crucial for their war effort. Droop Mountain, near the railroad, was a strategic point to disrupt its operation.
• Boosting morale and recruiting: Victories in the region could boost Union morale and attract new recruits from the pro-Union population in West Virginia.

Confederate Goals:

• Reclaiming West Virginia: Losing the state was a major blow, and the Confederacy sought to regain control of its resources and manpower.
• Protecting the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad: Secure its vital supply line and communication link.
• Diverting Union attention: Draw Union forces away from other fronts and relieve pressure on their main armies.

How Droop Mountain Fit into the Plans:

• Union: A victory at Droop Mountain could cut off Confederate access to Lewisburg, an important supply depot, and potentially threaten the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. It would also demonstrate Union dominance in the region and boost morale.
• Confederate: Holding Droop Mountain would defend Lewisburg and the railroad, and potentially allow them to launch further offensives into West Virginia. Defeating the Union force would be a morale boost and deter further incursions.

Significance of the Battle:

• Tactical victory for the Union: While they didn't achieve all their objectives, capturing Droop Mountain disrupted Confederate supply lines and provided them with a strategic foothold in the region.
• Turning point for the war in West Virginia: The Union's success at Droop Mountain marked the last major Confederate offensive in the state, effectively ending their hopes of regaining control.
• Contribution to broader Union strategy: The victory at Droop Mountain was part of a larger Union campaign to isolate and weaken the Confederacy, eventually contributing to their eventual defeat.

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Union Campaign in West Virginia: Strategy and Key Battles

Overall Strategy:

The Union campaign in West Virginia aimed to achieve several key objectives:

• Securing the newly formed state of West Virginia: This involved preventing Confederate incursions, disrupting supply lines, and preventing further secession attempts.
• Controlling strategic points: Key targets included railroads like the Baltimore & Ohio and the Virginia & Tennessee, as well as river routes and mountain passes.
• Boosting morale and attracting recruits: Victories in the region could bolster Union morale and entice pro-Union West Virginians to join the military.
• Diverting Confederate resources: Engaging Confederate forces in West Virginia could draw their attention and troops away from other fronts.

Key Battles:

• Philippi (June 3, 1861): An early Union victory that halted Confederate momentum and boosted their morale.
• Rich Mountain (July 11, 1861): A decisive Union victory that secured control of the upper Cheat River Valley and opened the way for further advance.
• Greenbrier River (October 3-4, 1861): A Union victory that disrupted Confederate supply lines and further solidified their hold on the western counties.
• Droop Mountain (November 6, 1863): A strategically significant Union victory that secured a key position and effectively ended major Confederate offensives in West Virginia.
• Beverly (December 11-15, 1863): A series of Union victories that drove Confederate forces out of the Tygart Valley and secured control of the region.

Additional Resources:

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies: This vast collection includes primary source documents such as reports, orders, and letters that provide detailed accounts of the campaigns and battles.
• West Virginia in the Civil War: This website from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History offers a comprehensive overview of the state's role in the conflict, including maps, timelines, and biographies.
• Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Reports: These reports provide detailed historical analyses of specific battles and their significance within the broader context of the war.
• Books: Several excellent books cover the Union campaign in West Virginia, such as John Lockwood's "West Virginia in the Civil War" and Thomas Lewis's "The Shenandoah Valley in the Civil War."