Battle of Scary Creek

Battle of Scary Creek
	Part of the American Civil War
	; Plaque commemorating the Battle of Scary Creek
Date	July 17, 1861
Location	Mouth of Scary Creek, Kanawha River to Nitro now in Putnam County, West Virginia
Result	Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States of America (Union)	Confederate States of America
Commanders and leaders
Jacob Dolson Cox; John W. Lowe	Henry A. Wise; George S. Patton, Sr (WIA); Albert G. Jenkins
Strength
1,000+ (est.)	800
Casualties and losses
14 killed, 30 wounded, 7 captured	4 killed, 6 wounded

The Battle of Scary Creek was a minor battle fought during the American Civil War across the Kanawha River from present day Nitro in Putnam County, West Virginia on July 17, 1861. It was the first Confederate victory in Kanawha Valley.^[1]

Background

The battle occurred three months after the beginning of the war and days before the first major battle at Manassas (Bull Run). Union forces under General Jacob Cox began a push up the Kanawha Valley from Ohio. Confederate General Henry A. Wise commanded a few thousand troops stationed near present-day St. Albans, WV.

Order of Battle

Union

12th Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel John Lowe (Union field commander)
21st Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel Jesse S. Norton
2nd Kentucky Infantry Regiment (Union) - Colonel William E. Woodruff
11th Ohio Infantry Regiment - Colonel Charles A. De Villiers
George's Independent Ohio Cavalry Company - Captain John S. George
Cotter's Battery of Ohio Light Artillery - Captain Charles S. Cotter
Barnett's Battery of Ohio Light Artillery - Colonel James Barnett

Confederate

22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment - Colonel George S. Patton Sr.
Kanawha Border Rangers - Captain Albert G. Jenkins

Battle

The battle occurred when Union regiments advanced toward the Confederate camp. Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton, the grandfather of the famous George S. Patton of World War II, commanded the Confederate line behind Harlem Creek, 2 miles from the main Confederate camp. The Union forces engaged the Confederates, launching artillery barrages and musket volleys. The 21st Ohio charged the Confederates with bayonets but were repulsed with casualties. The Union forces began falling back after suffering casualties from the charge.

Post-Battle Confusion

After the Federal forces began falling back, for some reason, the Confederates thought that fresh Union reinforcements were arriving and the result was a retreat by both sides. However, the Confederates realized their mistake and returned to the battlefield to claim victory.

Aftermath

Despite the tactical victory, General Wise decided to withdraw back up the Kanawha Valley toward the Confederate supply bases in Fayette and Greenbrier Counties in a highly criticized move. Thus, the victory was hollow for the South. Wise's retreat resulted in most of the Kanawha Valley falling into Union hands.

Casualties were rather light considering the ferocity of the battle. The Union lost 14 killed, approximately 30 wounded, and several missing. The Confederates lost between 1-5 killed, and a half a dozen wounded, including Lieutenant Colonel Patton.