Remembering the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain

In 1864, the International Red Cross was founded in Switzerland, Jules Verne published “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, and Abraham Lincoln was re-elected President of the United States. 

In the same year, our 19th and 25th U.S. Presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, respectively, came though the New River Valley and fought in the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain. The men forged a lifelong friendship while serving in the U.S. Army with the 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment. 

There have been battle reenactments five and 10 years ago, but there is none planned this year to commemorate 160 years. However, a very special diorama is being constructed by young men who were all once students at Pulaski County High School. 

 

The Battle

 

The Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain took place on May 9, 1864, and was the largest Civil War battle in southwest Virginia. Union troops marched from Pearisburg toward Dublin and what is now Radford to destroy railroads, bridges, the shot tower and salt production in this area. 

While early efforts seemed to favor the Confederates, the Union attacks were overwhelming, with hand-to-hand combat near the end of a brutal hour of fighting. Several wounded soldiers died in a fire which erupted on the battlefield, and more than 1,100 casualties [wounded + dead] were counted. There was also a smaller battle for the New River Bridge

To commemorate the 160th anniversary, Wilderness Road Regional Museum is hosting a series of lectures and guided trips to sites impacted by these events. Locally esteemed historians are involved, though many may have occurred when this issue comes out. 

The Pulaski County Courthouse Exhibits Committee plans to commemorate 160 years since the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain during the July 4th Veteran’s Ceremony on the courthouse lawn. The new diorama will be unveiled before moving to the 3rd floor of the courthouse building where it will be on display to the public. 

 

 

The History Keeper  

 

“I am guided by a great desire to share the history of this area due to the love and appreciation that has been shown to me, and also by the knowledge that I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to live on this land,” states Mary Catherine Stout. “A poem by an unknown author says it best.”

 

I am bound to them, though I cannot look into their eyes or hear their voices.

I honor their history.

I cherish their lives.

I will tell their story.

I will remember them.

 

“Mary Catherine is surrounded by our local history and embraces her role as a steward of that history with a clear and contagious zeal that inspires others to learn and share as well,” relates April Martin, education director at Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Newbern. “The land, trees and stories of deeds that took place along Cloyd’s Mountain are a part of her, and she bubbles forth with tales and tidbits about them all.” 

The 80-year-old former public health nurse and avid historian has lived in two beautiful old homes on the battlefield property which still stand today. Back Creek was built in 1790, and Oakland was constructed in 1885. Mrs. Stout continues to reside nearby with this stunning view out over the battlefield. 

The back of the Stout home (PHOTO BELOW) and a small part of the Union side of the battlefield. “The Witness Oak is in the bottom left corner,” she points out. “It is thought that my house is located where a Union cannon was situated.”

Mary Catherine designed her house 50 years ago. She measured her dishes to fit in custom-built cabinets, drawers and a large open plate rack, minimized closet space, sanded and stained the wood trim, and lovingly designed each room for its specific purpose. She also unloaded hundreds(!) of dump trucks of rocks collected from her grandparents’ and neighboring properties. In fact, when her husband, Jim Stout, asked her what she wanted to do on their first date, she suggested picking up rocks. We guess he didn’t mind as they will celebrate their 50th  anniversary next February. 

 

The History Room

 

The massive stone fireplace in the living room, formal dining room with Mary Catherine’s own handcrafted stained glass windows and spacious kitchen with copious windows and spectacular view over the battlefield are each a sight to behold individually. She made all the baskets, framed cross stitch pieces, dolls and other crafts throughout the house, but it is the History Room to right inside the front door that captivates everyone. Here, Mary Catherine has a mini-museum with maps, clothing, arrowheads, iron artifacts, books, photos and flags. It would be a spoiler alert to share the “secret” in this room, so, we won’t.  

“Mary Catherine has many items that help tell the stories,” Martin continues. “Some artifacts were found on the land, others have been gifted to her with hope that they are useful in conveying the history of the battle. Each story, each item and each person who visits is very special to Mary Catherine, and she is very special to all who know and respect her.”  

Martin brings many museum campers and others to the History Room as part of her history tours. Homeschool kids often visit. Mary Catherine is especially conscientious in planning where the History Room contents will go some day where they will still be available to the public, to continue “honoring their history, cherishing their lives, telling their stories and remembering them.” 

 

Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos by Tom and Christy Wallace