Campbell's Choice | Big Stone Gap Publishing

On the other hand the lay of the land was a defender’s dream. The road down the valley just before it reaches town forded Cedar Branch. Just after this passage there is just enough room for the road to make its passage through a gap between the butt end of Chestnut Ridge and the steep hill on which Elizabeth Cemetery is perched. This river continues north to the river, which is too deep to ford at this point. On the other side of the river Little Mountain abruptly rises from the edge of the river. It comes close to forming a bluff.

The Saltville Battlefield – In the Foreground are the Rifle Pits of the Confederate

Defenders. The Union Troops Had Come Down the Road in the Center, and

Were in Broady Bottom in the Center of the Photograph. The Bridge Over Cedar Branch is in the Center. Behind the Electric Substation to the Left Background is Where the Union Tried to Turn the Confederate Left. Elizabeth Cemetery is Off Camera to the Left Rear

The Confederates skillfully made use of this choke point, and dug rifle pits on the hills, and placed cannon on the edge of Elizabeth Cemetery. Riflemen were placed on the south bank of the river where they commanded the river and the flat bottom between the river and the road. Riflemen crouched behind tombstones in the cemetery.

... Continue to PAGE 40

CAMPBELL'S CHOICE	Page
INTRODUCTION	1
SALTVILLE GEOLOGY	1
SALTVILLE INDIANS	4
LEGAL MECHANISMS OF LAND TITLE OWNERSHIP IN VA.	6
THE SETTLEMENT OF SALTVILLE	13
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AROUND SALTVILLE BETWEEN THE PIONEER PERIOD AND THE CIVIL WAR	27
SALTVILLE IN THE CIVIL WAR	31
AFTER THE WAR	47
A MODERN CHEMICAL FACTORY	52
EPILOGUE	57
BIBLIOGRAPHY	61
INDEX	66

Return to Big Stone Gap Publishing.com