Carnifex Ferry operated eight miles southwest of Summersville. Along with two other ferries, it was the only way to cross the rough Gurley River for miles. The site of the battle is at a quiet area of the river about 370 feet in width. Two flatboats were used to ferry passengers and freight across the river.

          On August 12, General Floyd arrived in Lewisburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) with troops he raised in Southwestern Virginia. He issued “General Order No. 12” and assumed command of the Army of the Kanawha. He outranked the former commander, General Wise. Both were ex-governors of Virginia and their feelings were ill toward each other. With these ill feelings, it started a bitter “battle of the ex-governors”.

          On August 13th, Union Colonel Tyler occupied Kessler’s Cross Lanes. On August 22nd, Floyd crossed the Gurley River and dug-in. Four days later, on the 26th, Floyd attacked Tyler during breakfast. While not loosing any troops, he inflicted casualties of 1 killed, 20 wounded, and captured 96 Union troops.

          Floyd received communications from General Lee recommending he pull back to Carnifex Ferry. Floyd became aware of General Rosecrans’ plans, so on September 8th, Floyd pulled back his troops to Carnifex Ferry.

          Hearing Rosecrans was approaching, Floyd ordered Wise to reinforce him as he only had 1,600 men. Wise only sent Tompkins’ Regiment as he did not want to loose his position. Wise then contacted Gen. Lee and asked his command be separated from Floyds. Floyd kept asking for Wise to reinforce him, but did not receive them in a timely manner.

          On the evening of September 9th, Rosecrans set up camp eight miles from Summersville. The troops left camp at 4:15am the next morning to reach Summersville. Their arrival was delayed by a burned out bridge. Rosecrans found the town evacuated. Two stragglers, cavalry troops, were captured. They informed Rosecrans Floyd was firmly entrenched by the river.

          From Summersville, the Union troops moved very slowly over four miles of rough roads. About 2pm, Rosecrans called a halt to allow the rest of the troops and wagons to catch up. Once the column was together, they continued their march until the pickets started firing.

          BGen. Benham was ordered forward and advised to move cautiously through the woods as the road was narrow. As Benham’s troops found the enemy, heavy firing started. Upon further examination, Benham found Floyd had created a cross-fire and stopped the advance of his regiment. Upon further examination, Benham found a weak point of Floyd’s line, their right flank.

          Benham ordered Col. Smith past the Confederate left flank. Smith went down a ravine and proceeded to the enemies right flank. They were about a hundred yards from enemy lines when they were fired on. Smith ordered his troops to fall down and crawl up the embankment firing on the enemy. Smith sent Lt. Col. Mason to report the results of the reconnaissance.

          Over time, Smith feared Mason had gotten lost and moved his troops back down the ravine. As he cleared the ravine, he was ordered back down the ravine and proceed with the attack. He went down the ravine, but it was rough going as it was growing dark. Upon reaching his previous position, he decided it was too dark and his men were exhausted as they had been on the march since this morning.

          Rosecrans knowing the troops were exhausted, withdrew his troops. The Confederate fortifications were still a big unknown to Rosecrans and his staff.

          After dark, Floyd reassessed his situation and retreated back across the Gurley River. He made the movement without loosing any men during the night. The next morning a runaway Negro walked into Rosecrans’ camp telling them the enemy had retreated during the night. Rosecrans was unable to pursue as Floyd destroyed the boats after retreating.

          Although Floyd’s position was precarious , Floyd blamed Wise for his withdraw. He felt that with Wise’s support he could have defeated Rosecrans. In Virginia at War – 1861, McGhee wrote that with the loss at Carnifex Ferry, the Confederate defenses in Western Virginia were destroyed.

  

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