Battles & Campaigns · 1861
Battle of Cheat Mountain
Cheat Mountain, West Virginia, USA
What happened
Confederate forces planned by Robert E. Lee attacked Union troops under Joseph J. Reynolds. Lee planned a two-part attack on the Union fort on Cheat Mountain and the camp at Elkwater. Rain, fog and thick forest cut the Confederate columns off from each other. Captured Union soldiers gave false reports that made the fort's garrison seem larger, and the Confederates pulled back without making the main attack.
Why it matters
It was the first battle of the Civil War in which Robert E. Lee led troops. Both sides ended up in nearly the same places as before.
What came next
Lee withdrew on 17 September and was recalled to Richmond on 30 October.
Did you know?
The site is also called the Battle of Cheat Summit Fort, after the Union fort on the mountain.
Timeline
- 12–15 Sep 1861Battle of Cheat Mountain.
- 17 Sep 1861Lee withdraws to Valley Mountain.
- 30 Oct 1861Lee is recalled to Richmond.