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In early November, Brigadier Gens. W.W. Averell and Alfred Napoleon Alexander Duffié embarked on a raid into southwestern Virginia to disrupt the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. While Duffié's column destroyed military property en route, Averell encountered and defeated a Confederate brigade under Brigadier General John Echols at Droop Mountain.
The Union columns reunited at Lewisburg the next day but were in no condition to continue their raid. After this battle, Confederate resistance in West Virginia collapsed.
Droop Mountain Battlefield is the site of the last significant Civil War battle in West Virginia. The battle was fought November 6, 1863, between the Federal army of General William Averell and the Confederate army of General John Echols.
After eight hours of fighting and 275 casualties, Echol's Confederate army was driven South into Virginia and was never able to regain control in West Virginia. Federal Casualties were 119.
Result(s): Union victory
Location: Pocahontas County
Campaign: Averell's Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad (November 1863) only battle in campaign Campaigns
Date(s): November 6, 1863
Principal Commanders: Brigadier General William W. Averell [US]; Brigadier General John Echols [CS]
Forces Engaged: Brigades
Estimated Casualties: 526 total
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