Alleghany County was formed in 1822 from Bath, Botetourt, and Monroe and was named for the Alleghany Mountains. At Fort Mann, a battle took place between settlers and Indians led by Cornstalk in 1763. Botetourt County was formed in 1769 from Augusta and was named for Lord Botetourt, Governor of Virginia from 1768 to 1770. Buchanan was the western terminus of the noted James River and Kanawha Canal.