Scrapping at Hawk’s Nest with the 11th Ohio

Raw recruits of Co. K of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Dennison, Ohio during the early days of the war. Lieutenant Wesley Gorsuch stands at left, followed by Private Francis M. Eidson, an unknown soldier at center, then Joseph W. Frizell (later lieutenant colonel of the 11th and colonel of the 94th Ohio), and finally Dr. Squire Dickey in civilian dress on the right. These citizen soldiers would first see action at Hawk's Nest in western Virginia on August 20, 1861 before going on to see action in numerous battles in western Virginia, Antietam, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge.
(Liljenquist Collection- Library of Congress) 

Few regiments had a more picturesque introduction to combat during the Civil War than the 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It was August 20, 1861, when the new regiment first came to grips with the Confederates 900 feet above New River in a minor scrap known as the action at Hawk’s Nest in the mountains of western Virginia.

“This is a most romantic spot,” remembered Sergeant Phocian R. Way of Co. G. “The roads winds along the edge of a cliff 900 feet above the waters of New River while above the road the mountain rises steep and rugged, covered with timber and thick overgrowth.”

The adventure had started more than a week previously when three companies of the 11th Ohio totaling about 200 men left Gauley, marching along the Lewisburg Road to find the Confederates. “When 25 miles from Gauley, we suddenly came upon an advanced body of the enemy,” Way explained. “The Rebels were concealed in the bushes and volley of musketry was the first intimation we had of their presence. We soon drove them from their hiding place and chased them almost into their own camp.”

The chase came to an abrupt halt when Way and his comrades spied the camps of Generals Henry Wise’s and John Floyd’s commands looming ahead. “We were so near that we could hear their bugles sounding and the rumbling of the cannon wheels,” Way continued. “The sudden appearance of our little party spread consternation among them and before they could recover from their astonishment, we retreated beyond their reach.”

Hawk's Nest is located more than 900 feet above the winding New River in West Virginia. The area today is a state park. 


Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Frizzell sent back couriers requesting reinforcements from Gauley but prudently continued to fall back 13 miles from Wise’s and Floyd’s camp. Two more companies joined the 11th but still feeling himself outnumbered, Frizzell fell back again to the intersection of the McChesney and Lewisburg roads, set up a roadblock, and waited for the Confederates to appear. After waiting two days in the rain, the vanguard of the Rebels finally appeared on the night of August 17th. That night, Frizzell ordered his command to fall back to Hawk’s Nest.

“Here we cut trees across the road in several places to obstruct the passage of cavalry and artillery and placed Companies A and H in ambuscade on the hillside,” Way wrote. “In the evening a large body of the enemy’s cavalry was seen slowly approaching. When they arrived near the first barricade, they halted and seemed to hesitate about advancing. At this moment, the two companies in ambush fired a volley. The enemy wheeled their horses and fled, leaving several dead and wounded on the field.”

“Colonel Frizell declared his intention to defend this place against all the force they could bring against him,” Way stated. “We waited here two days for the Rebels to return, but they did not make their appearance and our colonel becoming impatient, he ordered to advance to our old position at the forks of the road. We marched slowly and cautiously throwing out scouts on either side of the road to prevent an ambuscade or surprise.” It was now August 20, 1861.

“When we arrived on our old ground we were fired upon by the enemy’s pickets and an advance body of Floyd’s army was there waiting for us,” Way continued. “They were concealed in the woods on the side of a steep ravine. We took our position on the opposite side also in the woods. Major Jonathan D. Hines had been ordered forward the evening before with two companies of the 12th Ohio to get in the enemy’s rear and attack him simultaneously with us. A few shots were exchanged by individuals but the fight did not really commenced until a body of about 300 splendidly mounted cavalry rode up and dismounted under the cover of a hill and commencing firing upon us.”

Generals Henry A. Wise (left) and the former Secretary of War John B. Floyd (right) were responsible for the defense of western Virginia in the summer of 1861 but spent much of their time bickering amongst themselves. On July 28, 1861, General Robert E. Lee was dispatched to western Virginia to oversee the area's defense due to the the inability of these two former governors of Virginia to cooperate. Even the Lee touch didn't work- Floyd would fight Rosecrans at Carnifex Ferry then blamed the defeat on Wise, worsening the tensions between the two generals. Lee soon returned to Richmond; Wise soon followed him while John Floyd went on to infamy at Fort Donelson. 

“They were all armed with sabers, pistols, and rifles or shot guns. They formed a line of battle behind the hill and would rush up, fire upon us, then fall back and load. Whenever they made their appearance, we fired at them. In the meantime, the men in the woods crept close to us and from scattering shots they commenced firing volley doing little damage as we were protected by logs and trees. We could hear the bullets whistle past our ears and through the trees above our head,” Way said.

“Colonel Frizzell, while standing in our front endeavoring to examine the enemy position, saw several Rebels close to him and snatching a gun, shot one of them dead. The enemy despairing of driving us out and becoming alarmed, commenced retreating. The cavalry mounted their horses and fell back in good order until they were suddenly fired upon by Hines’ men. At the sound, our men started forward with a shout of triumph. Major Hines was stationed among some trees above the road and when the cavalry came opposite him in their retreat, he fired a volley which rolled 30-40 horses and men in the dust. The balance fled like a thousand demons were at their heels,” Way continued.

“We followed them on the double quick two miles, finding the road strewn with guns, pistols, swords, hats, coats, and blankets. It will give you some idea of the panic when I tell you that we found a dozen broken saddles and a large number of horseshoes. If Hines had formed his men across the road, we could have captured the whole party as it would have been impossible for them to have escaped. We lost only one man killed and two slightly wounded; the enemy must have lost at least 30 killed and wounded.”

Dr. Dunham sent a cavalry sword captured from one of Captain Jenkins’ secession cavalry at the battle near Hawk’s Nest in western Virginia. It is scimitar-shaped and so ancient as to have outlasted its scabbard, but it received a new tin scabbard of primitive pattern for the present war. Some cartridges, buttons, and a secession medal were also received. Lieutenant Chapman sent home to his son a horse pistol to his son and a double-barreled shotgun to Dr. Welch, both captured in this same fight. The Rebels, being on horseback, mostly saved their bacon by flight but they dropped some of their accoutrements. ~ Clinton Republican, October 13, 1861

“We followed them to within one and half miles of Floyd’s main army then fell back to our old position at Hawk’s Nest. The command of our company devolved upon Squire Chapman [Second Lieutenant Andrew H. Chapman] who acquitted himself with credit. The Squire labored under some disadvantages on account of his huge dimensions. He found much difficulty finding a tree large enough to hide his precious body and when we were pursuing the enemy on the double quick, despite his most strenuous exertions, he fell a little behind. However, he came up at the first halt and succeeded in capturing a large horse pistol which he values very highly and may be seen every morning busily engaged in cleaning it and polishing the barrel. Most of the boys provided themselves with extra blankets, coats, hats, etc.”

Writing this account on August 28th, Sergeant Way related that despite the victory at Hawk’s Nest, the fortunes of war seemed to be turning against the Union in western Virginia. “We are at present in the midst of stirring scenes,” he wrote. “The usual monotony of camp life has been broken and hundreds of men are at work digging rifle pits, throwing up breastworks, and felling trees that obstruct the fore or might conceal the enemy. They are advancing upon us in large force and we may be attacked at any moment.”

“Yesterday, Colonel Erastus Tyler with the 7th Ohio was attacked about 15 miles from here on the Summerville road by a part of General Lee’s forces and completely routed. [See “The Bloody Seventh Ohio at Cross Lanes” for a detailed account of this engagement.] Tyler, with two or three of his officers, arrived in Gauley last evening and reported that his regiment was almost annihilated. He no doubt believed it at the time, but since then his men have come in singly and in small parties until only about a hundred are still missing. The enemy, however, could not have gained a more signal triumph. It is very unfortunate for us and particularly so at the present time. Floyd and Wise are known to be advancing on the Lewisburg Road and a part of Lee’s army is on the Summerville Road. They have sworn that they will not only retake Gauley but will drive the damned Yankees from the Kanawha Valley.”

Sources:

Letter from Sergeant Phocian R. Way, Co. G, 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Clinton Republican (Ohio), September 13, 1861, pg. 2 

“A Rebel Trophy,” Clinton Republican (Ohio), October 11, 1861, pg. 2

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