During the last year of the War Between the States (August 1864 – January 1865), Confederate forces conducted three raids into Randolph County, West Virginia. Two of the raids were successful, resulting in the capture of prisoners and much needed property. Captain Hill’s raid of October 29, 1864 was a disaster for the Confederates.

The first raid occurred on August 24, 1864 against a small detachment of the 8th Ohio Cavalry at Huttonsville, West Virginia, about eleven miles south of Beverly. The raid was an unqualified success for Confederate Captain Hannibal Hill.

The second raid took place at Beverly in the early morning hours of October 29, 1864. Once again Captain Hannibal Hill led a detachment of Confederates from twenty one different units to this land of plenty. The raid, a complete surprise and unlike the August raid, this one ended in complete failure.

The third and final raid, conducted by Major General Thomas L. Rosser on January 11, 1865, was a complete surprise and a success. Attacking at an early hour on a freezing, snowy winter morning, the Confederates captured a large number of men from the 8th Ohio Cavalry and the 34th Ohio Infantry. As a result of the raid, both commanders of the Ohio regiments were dismissed from the service.

Upon learning of the disaster at Beverly, Major General Philip H. Sheridan commented: “I advised General Crook sometime ago to break up the post at Beverly; it is of no use, and is bait for the enemy, both from position and gross carelessness, and want of discipline on the part of the troops.”

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