Averell decided to attack the railroad further east at Wytheville, occupying Morgan and Jones so they could not intercept Crook. As Averell moved east, Morgan began following him. At the junction of the Jeffersonville, Crab Orchard, and Wytheville roads, Averell continued moving east in the mountains toward Crab Orchard—a rugged road and a longer route to Wytheville. If Morgan had followed Averell, the terrain could have been used to Averell's advantage to hold off Morgan while a detachment attacked Wytheville. However, Morgan was aware of the dangerous terrain, and took the southeast direct route to Wytheville (through Burke's Garden). He arrived at Wytheville ahead of his command, and ordered Confederate troops already there to move north and guard the gap passing through Cove Mountain—the gap necessary for Averell to pass through to get to Wytheville. The people of Wytheville were relieved to see Morgan, as they remembered the destruction of the town in 1863 in Colonel John Toland's Wytheville Raid. The town had an old 6-pounder cannon and some powder, but no ammunition. A blacksmith cut up horseshoes and other pieces of iron that could be used as canister. Battle To get to Wytheville and the lead mine further south, Averell needed to pass southward through a small mountain gap near Crockett's Cove. When he arrived at the gap, it was already occupied by the Confederate detachment sent north from Wytheville by Morgan—and more of Morgan's men were moving there. Morgan's force was said to be about 4,000, although some historians believe that figure is an exaggeration. Schoonmaker's 14th Pennsylvania and 1st West Virginia cavalries opened the battle by driving back the advanced guard of the Confederate force that occupied the gap. When the Union cavalry got too close to the gap, dismounted Confederate cavalry on both sides of the gap drove them back. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry waited nearby with sabers drawn, intending to take the gap in what their Colonel Powell regarded as a suicidal charge. While the regiment was waiting, a member of the regiment's CompanyH climbed up a tree and observed the Confederate position being reinforced. This was reported to Duffié, and the charge was cancelled. Although not known by Averell at the time, reinforcements (including Morgan's brigades) were positioning on both sides of the gap, and a cannon masked by brush was positioned in the road. Morgan attacks Morgan's command had reached Wytheville around