The 154th OVI Regiment at New Creek, West Virginia
August, 1864

Above is a map of the town of New Creek, West Viriginia from August, 1863.
Drawn by Lieutenant John R. Meigs, U.S. Engineers.
The Baltimore & Ohio is the railroad that runs through the town.
The twin Federal forts of Fort Fuller and Fort Piano can be easily seen south of the town.
These two forts were to play an important role in the engagement that took place here on August 4, 1864.

Although the 154th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry was to spend much of its term of service in and out of the town of New Creek, West Virginia, it was the fight that occured there on August 4, 1864 that was to prove as one of the last and largest engagements the 154th participated in during its Civil War service. Although many veterans of this fight often termed it as the "Battle of New Creek Station," what happend here on August 4, 1864 was never listed officially as a battle. Nonetheless, it was definately a sizeable action that involved a number of units from several states on both sides.

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For a number of weeks during 1864, Confederate forces under General John McCausland had been conducting a campaign against Union forces and their sympathizers throughout West Virginia and Virginia. It was the scene of many of many bloody engagements, and in early August, General McCausland decided to lay plans for taking the small river town of New Creek, which is situated along the north branch of the Potomac River along the West Virginia and Maryland border. Although the town itself consisted of only a railroad station, about twenty houses, and a population of approximately 200 residents, the forts and military depots nearby were stocked with enormous amounts of food and ammunition (Hasselberger, pg.135). Being the kind of Confederate force that often "lived off the land" and depended greatly on captured Federal supplies, McCausland could definitely see that taking the town of New Creek could be a worthwhile endeavor. With his forces now situated at Romney, West Virginia -a scant 10-15 miles southeast of New Creek- McCausland's Confederates began to march towards the town early on August 4, 1864.

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Back in New Creek after several scouting expeditions, Colonel Robert Stevenson and his 154th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment were camped at a location between the B&O Railroad line and the Potomac River. Besides being commander of the 154th OVI, by August, 1864 Col. Stevenson was also in command of all troops at New Creek, with Lieutenant Colonel John F. Hoy of the 6th West Virginia Infantry being the commandant of the post (Hasselberger, pg.137).

*Under Construction*