The Civil War Battle
of
White Sulphur Springs, WV
Also known as Dry Creek, Rocky Gap and
Howard's
Creek, the Battle Claimed 350 Casualties in August 1863
Two of our cousins are known to have fought -- and one was killed -- at the Civil War Battle of White Sulphur Springs, WV. The battle took place on August 26, 1863, with 350 casualties on both sides. Andrew Minerd, blacksmith of the 14th Pennsylvania Infantry, survived unscathed. His second cousin, Burkett M. Fawcett of the 3rd West Virginia Infantry, was not so fortunate, and was killed in battle by an enemy gunshot. Burkett's burial site is unknown.
This page contains rare, unique photograph and sketch images of the battlefield and the nearby world-famous resort, The Greenbrier. The sepia toned photographs originally were published in the 1916 volume, The White Sulphur Springs, authored by William Alexander MacCorkle, former Governor of West Virginia. The book was reprinted in 1924.
We are grateful to Dr. Robert Conte, the Greenbrier's official historian, for his personal tour in May 2006 and for opening the resort's substantial archives to us.
Looking over the battlefield toward the Greenbrier. In the far center
is
the intersection of two roads where the hardest fighting took place.
On the extreme left was the seat of Confederate batteries. The house
next to the hill at the far end was the seat of federal batteries.
Looking toward the road by which the Confederates approached
The gorge by which the Union forces approached the battlefield
Junction of Anthony's Creek Road and the James River and
Kanawha
Turnpike. The road in center was filled with dead and wounded,
and likely is where Burkett was killed or lay dying.
Site of the battle today, looking north from the intersection
of U.S. Route
60 and WV Route 92
Site of the battle today, looking south toward the intersection
Monuments to Union and Confederate troops at the highway intersection
More monuments at the battlefield site
Dr. Conte near the cluster of monuments, two miles from The Greenbrier
Grave of 16 unknown Confederate dead in the cemetery behind
Cottage 9 on the grounds of The Greenbrier
Grave of 19 unknown Confederate dead in the hillside "Confederate
Cemetery" near Greenbrier stables -- a marker dedicated on the 100th
anniversary of the battle in 1963
Headline from the Roanoke (VA) Times on the battle's centennial in 1963
The entrance to the magnificent Greenbrier resort
The domed covering to the mineral springs of yesteryear, and today
Copyright © 2006 Mark A. Miner. Sepia toned
photographs originally published in
The White Sulphur Springs, authored by William Alexander MacCorkle (1916).
Sketch
of the domed mineral springs originally published in
August 1878 edition of
Harper's New Monthly Magazine.