Droop Mountain
Encyclopedia
Droop Mountain is a small mountain
in the Allegheny Mountains
on the border of Greenbrier
and Pocahontas
counties in southeastern West Virginia
. It was the scene of one of West Virginia's most important battles during the American Civil War
—the Battle of Droop Mountain
.
Droop Mountain, rising 3597 feet above sea level
, is located southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia
, on U.S. Route 219. During the Civil War, it formed a barrier to north-south passage along the west bank of the Greenbrier River
, blocking troop movements. A determined Union
attack on November 6, 1863, successfully drove off Confederate
defenders, essentially ending Confederate resistance in West Virginia.
Much of the mountain is now part of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
, encompassing the preserved Civil War battlefield. The mountain is also home to the unincorporated town of Droop, West Virginia
.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
on the border of Greenbrier
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
and Pocahontas
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
counties in southeastern West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. It was the scene of one of West Virginia's most important battles during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
—the Battle of Droop Mountain
Battle of Droop Mountain
The Battle of Droop Mountain was a battle in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, that occurred November 6, 1863, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces engaged, but failed to prevent Union forces under Brigadier General W.W. Averell from a rendezvous with other Federal troops in a joint...
.
Droop Mountain, rising 3597 feet above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, is located southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia
Hillsboro, West Virginia
Hillsboro is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 243 at the 2000 census.- History :Hillsboro was named for pioneer John Hill, from North Carolina, who built a log cabin near what is now Lobelia...
, on U.S. Route 219. During the Civil War, it formed a barrier to north-south passage along the west bank of the Greenbrier River
Greenbrier River
The Greenbrier River is a tributary of the New River, long, in southeastern West Virginia, USA. Via the New, Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of...
, blocking troop movements. A determined Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
attack on November 6, 1863, successfully drove off Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
defenders, essentially ending Confederate resistance in West Virginia.
Much of the mountain is now part of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is a state park located on Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War in West Virginia. A private in the U.S. Army at the Battle of Droop Mountain, John D...
, encompassing the preserved Civil War battlefield. The mountain is also home to the unincorporated town of Droop, West Virginia
Droop, West Virginia
Droop is an unincorporated community in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, in the Greenbrier River Valley.The town is most famous for Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, site of West Virginia's last significant Civil War battle. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the park's trails and...
.