Brig. Gen. Daniel Donelson and Col. Jesse S. Burke would seize the paths behind Camp Elkwater across the valley west of Cheat Mountain. with Col. William Gilham's brigade in reserve. Loring was given command of Burke's and Gilham's brigades during the battle. The battle plans were outlined to all commanders in special order No.27 dispatched by Lee, and the order was signed by Rust instead of Lee, who wanted to avoid more negative press in case this operation turns out to be another failure after the recent defeats at Rich Mountain, Philippi and Laurel Mountain, and the disastrous retreat from Laurel Mountain across Corrick's Ford. The plan of the battle was for the three columns commanded by Anderson (western column), Rust (center column approaching from east of the mountain) and Jackson's column (from due east of the mountain) to converge at the same time and attack the union fort at the summit. This was a difficult and complex maneuver for the inexperienced commanders. Rust's column was to initiate battle by firing volleys at the Union fort, at this signal the two other columns would also attack, and the column across the valley under Donelson would also attack Union troops defending Elkwater. Opposing forces Union West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments. Confederate Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas infantry regiments. Battle The approaches by each of the three Confederate brigades were uncoordinated. Rain, fog, mountainous terrain, and a dense forest limited visibility to minimal distances. As a result, each of the three Confederate brigades assigned to attack Cheat Summit Fort acted independently and never made contact with either of the other two Confederate brigades. The march to Cheat Mountain was difficult, and was greatly exacerbated by rainy weather. The Union defenders on Cheat Summit were very familiar with the terrain and mountain trails. Rust's advancing column encountered two union pickets who attempted to flee, confederate troops opened fire and killed these two, this alerted the nearby pickets and skirmishing ensued as the advancing rebels lost the element of surprise. Rust's troops then captured several more pickets who were interrogated, and falsely exaggerated the size of the union force at the camp, Rust believed these accounts. Two Federal probing attacks from Cheat Summit Fort were so aggressive that Rust and Anderson, each leading approximately 1500 Confederates at Cheat Mountain, were convinced that an overwhelming force confronted them. Rust decided