Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Photo by Okey L. King

Photo by Okey L. King
This is the new tower from which the overlook photo was made.

About four miles from Beartown, across the flat top of Droop Mountain, lies Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. Today, it is a beautiful place. But, nearly 144 years ago, it was a bloody awfull place. It was another chapter in the tragedy that should never have happened. It was another page out of the story of failed human nature.

Photo and modification by Okey L. KIng.

......I do not want to tell the story of the battle, so I am trying to incorporate this portion of a sign foun near the overlook.
.....Also, I think we have to be reminded that this was not just a hard time for the combatants. The Civil War was a terrible time for the noncombatants of this area of West Virginia. One could not win. What one did while the area was controlled by one side could be held against you when the are was retaken by the other side. Many citizens came to grief for things they could not help. Some even died in prison innocent of any charges.

Photo by Jonathan King

.....Parrott Rifled cannons like this one played havoc with the opposing troops. Being on the receiving end of one of these things had to put fear into you. It was a great improvement over the smooth bore cannons.

You can tour the Battlefild on narrow winding roads which have signs that mark the positions of the various units. You must drive slowly to appreciate the battlefield by auto. I would recommend, for those able to do so, that you take the time to walk the many trails through the park. I would advise you to keep your senses alert.

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.................Photo by Okey. L. KIng

.....At the Camp Office Area, we met and chatted with Michael Smith the Superentendent. That was a highligh of our visit. Not far behind the office, there lie buried some of the confederate dead. Some bodies were removed to the Confederate Cemetery at Lewisburg. Very few of us, who are of the older West Virginia families, are not touched in some way by this horrible war. We have had cousins fighting cousins and brothers fighting brothers. My Gandee Cousins fought on opposite sides of the war and faced each other at the Battle of Cloyds Mountain just over in Virginia. My Great Grandfather Ephriam King fought for the Union all through the War and came home safe. His is one of the happier stories.

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.........................Photo by Okey L. King

.....Not far from the old cemetery stands the museum. It is an old log cabin. I would love to have one like it. In the museum is housed various artifacts including guns, bayonets, and ammo. There is also a fine drum that was foun after the battle by some boys. There is a famous painting of the battlefield hanging on a wall that I have a photo ove. But, I am not using it at this time because I feel that I should have permission to do so. My grandson and I have photos off all of the things in the museum, but I will leave them for you to see on your visit. .........
...............Photo by Okey L. King

Photo by Jonathan King

.....I like this old fireplace because it reminds me of the life that frontier men and women lived. Before free standing stoves were brought to the hills, women cooked the meals over a fire in a fireplace like this one. The men or the boys would have to keep the wood supplied for the fire and soemtimes keep it going. If there were no sons, then the daughters would have to do it. If a woman was alone or if the couple was old and the man feeble, then the woman would have to do all of the work. During the war, with the men gone to fight, this was most often the case. Often, many small children worked hard at chores that were far beyond their years. Many wemon folk were not home in the house when the men returned. They were out in the cemeteries in cold graves.

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..........Photo by Okey L.King

.....Before we left, Jonathan and Carolyn posed at this old Parrott Rifle. It is good that we can enjoy the beauty of a place that was once so grim.
.....It would not be right if I did not mention why some folks visit the park. Deoop Mountain Battlefield is widely known as a haunted place. People come just for a chance to see a ghost of a soldier.
.....I am going to take the liberty of telling you a story that Superentendent Smith told us. I hope he will not mind.
.....He related to us that one evening, before going to bed, he remembered that he had not taken down the flag. So, he got dressed and walked out to the flag pole. While he was lowering the flag, he saw a car driving slowly through the park. When the car's headlights fell upon him, the car stopped. Mr. Smith retired to the house and went to bed. Some time later, he told us, there was a article that appeared in a newspaper. According to the article, a Ohio couple was driving through the park at the stroke of midnight, when they saw, "A confederate Soldier, in full uniform, saluting the flag."

.....I should mention that there is a nice picnic area. You can bring your whole family for a day at the park. When our children were young, we did this a number of times. The park is very children friendly. It is also a good learning place and is just as good as any classroom. It is another place to help you make sure that your children know their roots. .....I am going to leave the rest for you to see when you come visit the park. God Bless!