RICH MT BATTLEFIELD, WV

July 4 weekend Rachel and I spent Saturday exploring a roadside civil war encampment / battlefield on the summit of Rich Mountain. While the roadside marker indicating the Civil War engagement was next to the highway on RT 33 the battle ground site itself was far cry from any major traffic corridor.


Situated in the mountain pass of Rich Mountain on the Staunton-Parkersburg Pike and between the communities of Beverly and Colton, West Virginia the battle was remote even by today’s standards.


July 11, 1861 was certainly early in the civil war and protection of B & O railway interests in western Virginia was tantamount to the Union. Taking direction from Washington, Union troops moved decisively to protect their interest, thus they continued to follow Confederate movement in the region.


Confederate troops moving eastward after a loss at Philippi, WV moved to further secure the interior regions of western Virginia and maintain access of the S & P Pike for the Confederacy.
Upon receiving word that Union troops were advancing towards them Confederate General Robert Garnett quickly dispatched 310 soldiers from the Roaring Springs encampment to the high ground of Rich Mt. and the farm of Joseph Hart. Accompanied by 1 cannon, confederate troops dug in among the boulders and buildings scattered atop the craggy mountain pass readying themselves for any movement by Union forces.


At the very same time 5,000 Union troops and 8 cannon now under the direction of Gen George B. McClellan were digging in for what was expected to be a long engagement at the base of Rich Mountain on the western slope. Yet, as history would prove McClellan was timid in troop movement and attack, thus McClellan sent Brigadier Gen. William Rosecrans and 2,000 troops to encounter the Confederate forces.


David Hart, son of Rich Mountain inn keeper Joseph Hart, had arrived in the Union camp soon after confederate troops had taken up residency on the mountain and quickly volunteered his services as a guide for the union troops as the Union prepared to outflank the Confederacy.
Slowed by rain, heavy underbrush and misdirection, Union Brigadier Gen. William Rosecrans arrived midday in a surprising attack on this small Confederate force. Later that afternoon on July 11, leaving their cannon and one dead behind Confederate troops evacuated their strong hold, with Union troops fast on their heels.


These seemingly optimistic beginnings at Philippi and Rich Mt. would soon falter as numerous battles in the east including Manassas would fall to the Confederacy, forcing President Lincoln to look for new leadership in the field and the eventual appointment of McClellan to head the Union Army.


It should be noted, that McClellan’s actions at Rich Mt. foreshowed his weakness in battles fought later in the war. Although a brilliant man by all accounts and with a keen ability to organize troops McClellan still lacked the ability to move troops into battle at pivotal times, often blaming the failures of his actions on those he served with; and so he will be remembered.


If you are in the Beverly region or traveling east on RT 33, look for the signs indicating Rich Mt. The trip from Beverly across the pass to Colton is a mere 45 minutes. The stop at both McClellan encampment and the Confederate encampment are deserving of a few minutes of your time. Additionally, the park service and the Rich Mt Foundation have the battle field well marked and have done a remarkable job of maintaining the area.

June 20, 2009.

Early in my political experience I was appointed to LOCEA, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by then Speaker of the House, Bob Kiss of which my responsibility was to review and recommend any changes associated with education.

One project of note that came before the Commission was the new State History Museum, although not entirely new the museum had been around for more than 100 years when it was determined that a redesign was long overdue.

The design idea was different; create a show path as opposed to the present “find a state artifact and find a place for it.” What you previously had was a disoriented, disassociated mess, whereas, most artifacts lacked signage and relevance to the artifact next to it…of course there were exceptions. The log cabin, general store and 35 Star National flag where and remain some of our states’ prized possessions.

The design plan was simple; create a show path which displays objects in chronological order, beginning with the year 500 BC and the evolution of coal. Pretty simple, so it would seem, but the project required in excess of $24 million dollars and gutting the present museum in order to make room for the new design.

While many eyebrows were raised with the estimated cost to the project, the design team of four soon went to work reevaluating the project and value engineering every inch of the 25,000 square foot space, which fortunately for all of us brought the project in under $17 million. 2002 marked the beginning of a very lengthy project that would not come to fruition until June 20, 2009 with the grand opening of the new State Museum.

Even if you are not a museum going person this show path of our state’s history is worth the walk, consisting of an 1/8 of a mile walk beginning with 500 B.C. West Virginia and culminating in visual display of digital information and sights of West Virginia.

The museum walks you through our history creating an overall picture of our roots, our heritage and storied past and yes at times, a violent past. While the corner store, moonshine still, coal wars and military experience are vital to our past, State hood plays central to my museum experience. Perhaps, it’s because I am member of the legislature or maybe something simpler, perhaps it’s the pride I take in being a West Virginian. Either way, I delight in the experience the museum gives me and would strongly encourage anyone to visit the West Virginia State Museum.

What can you look forward to seeing during your visit to the museum? One can’t miss item is the 35 Star National Flag that was flown at Gettysburg during Lincolns Gettysburg Address in November of 1863. Just imagine, we were but a state for 5 months when Lincoln delivered, ”Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…” What more can I say?

Other artifacts of interest include; Daniel Boones Long rifle, the first journal of the House of Delegates, Philippi Covered Bridge, a coal mine, log cabin, log fort and over 3,000 additional artifacts and stories.

So I ask you, why stay home this weekend?

The WV State Museum is located in the Charleston Capitol Complex and is open Tuesday through Sunday. 9:00am -5:00pm Admission is free.

WEST VIRGINIA RESORT SPRINGS

Summer is here and as always I try and find something adventurous to do, and with the escalation of fuel cost I've determined that maybe Rachel and I should stay close to home.

That being said, several months ago Rachel and I came across a book which described the location and the history behind some of the resort style springs here in West Virginia and Virginia. So I thought, maybe this summer Rachel and I would pack up the truck, camping gear and all, and try to find a few of the lesser known Springs here in West Virginia, many of which have fallen into ruins and are for the most part non-existent.

To those of you unfamiliar with spring style resorts; "springs" came into in fashion during the 1800's when the social elite escaped the cities for cooler mountain locations and to socialize with those of social distinction. Many of the resorts warm waters supposedly held medicinal purposes and attracted visitors to the region in an attempt heal whatever ailed them at the time. One such visitor was George Washington who was rumored to visit spring locations on a regular basis. Perhaps you have heard of his favorite spring? In the 1700's it was known as Bath, Virginia... you may know it today as Berkeley Springs WV.

Visiting springs throughout the south was not uncommon as a matter of fact "making the circuit" was common practice as the social elite would travel from one spring resort to another. Although, the practice began as means to escape the stifling heat of the city and to receive treatment for ailments, it to quickly became an indicator of social status to be seen at several resorts each season, thus "making the circuit" evolved.

This past weekend while visiting Rachel's friends in Keyser WV we made a little side trip to one of those many springs here in WV; Green Springs located an hour southeast of Cumberland MD and 2 hours west of Washington DC offers a ghost tale of the past.

The community of Green Springs still host a population of 75 or so people, the community itself is unique in that it sits at a cross roads for rail service, with lines approaching the town from the south with intersecting lines heading east to west just north of the community.

The spring and buildings associated with the resort have long since disappeared leaving nothing more than a green space of heavy trees and underbrush to hide its former location, as a matter fact the community itself does little to advertise the former resort location. If I for the small community kiosk information I would have missed the map that was on display which detailed the community building by building.

Although not drawn to scale, the child like map did help in determining the original location of Green Springs resort. If for some strange reason you find yourself in the area of Green Springs please make note of the Wild Horse Saloon on the edge of town, directly behind the saloon is the original location of the resort. While in the town make a right at the first major intersection you come to and drive approximately half a mile until you come to the low level bridge across the Potomac, just across the river lies the C&O Canal and tow path.

Rachel and I were unable to cross the river during our visit due to the recent flooding, but for the adventurous the bridge appears to be in sound condition and is used daily by local residents working in Cumberland area and for those who catch commuter trains from the Cumberland depot heading east to DC.

Would I recommend Green Springs to tourist? Probably not as a destination, but if you are in the area certainly stop by. Make sure and top off the tank before you leave the main road; maybe pick up a few supplies for a make shift picnic lunch as well, Green Springs offers a very nice community park which is located just 200 ft east of the original resort site.

Next stop Capon and Lost Springs, later this summer we head south in search of more former resort style springs located here in the state, many located in the hills around the Greenbrier Resort.

Explore West Virginia you'll be glad you did and remember the destination is not always as important as the trip getting there.