In early December 1861 Brigadier General Robert Milroy was now commanding Federal forces in the Cheat Mountain Division. Milroy assembled a force of 1,900 men to attack the Confederate camp on Allegheny Mountain. He would face 1,200 Rebels commanded by Colonel Edward Johnson. Johnson had Virginia and Georgia infantry, eight cannons and a small detachment of cavalry. Milroy moved to Camp Bartow nine miles from Camp Allegheny and then at the base of the mountain divided his force in two in order to attack both Confederate flanks at daybreak on the 13th. Milroy led the group that would assault the Confederate right flank. Colonel Gideon Moody of the 19th IN would lead the attack on the left flank. Moody was to strike first but Milroy encountered a strong Rebel picket force and began the fight prematurely. Milroy’s attack was repulsed, and Johnson was now able to focus his entire force on Moody’s men and drive them back. After a seven-hour fight Milroy retreated back to Cheat Mountain. Each side suffered a total of about 150 casualties. For his victory Johnson was promoted to Brigadier General and nicknamed “Old Allegheny.”

Pictures of Camp Allegheny appear below. The road to the top is a very rutted dirt road.

Unfortunately like some markers in the mountains of West Virginia this one has bullet holes in it. You can see the intact marker at the link.

The battle was fought in these fields below at the top of the mountain

Source

Rebels at the Gate: Lee and McClellan on the Front Line of a Nation Divided by W. Hunter Lesser.