The Battle of Carnifex Ferry

"The Battle of Carnifex Ferry took place on September 10, 1861 in Nicholas County, Virginia (now West Virginia), as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.

Learning of Col. Erastus Tyler's rout at Kessler's Cross Lanes, Brig. Gen. William S. Rosecrans moved three brigades south from Clarksburg to support him. On the afternoon of September 10, he advanced against Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd's camps at Carnifex Ferry. Darkness halted several hours' fighting. The strength of the Union artillery convinced Floyd to retreat across the Gauley River during the night. Floyd blamed his defeat on his co-commander Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise, contributing to further dissension within the Confederate command. "

(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carnifex_Ferry)

Rosecrans' decisive victory over Confederate Brigadier General John Floyd made the formation of a new state possible by protecting western Virginia from Confederate advances.

Located on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville, the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park was established to commemorate the Battle of Carnifex Ferry. It is one of the oldest state parks in the United States. Located within this 156-acre park is the Patterson House Museum, picnic areas, three overlooks of the Gauley River, and hiking trails. Living history demonstrations and a reenactment of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry are done during the Civil War Weekend (held this year on September 8-9, 2007). Civil War memorbilia and souvenirs are also offered for sale.

Patterson House Museum

Every other year in September, hosted by Co. A of the 36th Virginia Infantry (West Virginia's oldest and most authentic living history organization), the Battle of Carnifex Ferry is reenacted on the same ground it was orginially fought on. This two-day event features living history demonstrations of camp life, military drill,and a reenactment of the Federal assault on the center of the Confederate line. This event is considered to be one of the finest small scale reenactments in the eastern United States.