The Civil War in West Virginia
The American Civil War, a tumultuous period in United States history, deeply impacted the state of Virginia, leading to a schism that resulted in the formation of West Virginia. As the nation grappled with the issue of secession in 1861, Virginia found itself torn between allegiance to the Union and the Confederacy.
The Seeds of Division
The conflict began to brew when President Abraham Lincoln issued a call to suppress the rebellion following the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861. Virginia, a state deeply divided on the issue of secession, convened a convention to decide its course of action. On April 17, 1861, the convention voted on the Ordinance of Secession, a decision that would forever alter the state’s destiny.
However, delegates from the western counties of Virginia vehemently opposed secession. These delegates, primarily from areas with distinct economic and social interests, advocated for remaining loyal to the Union. Their opposition laid the foundation for the eventual creation of a new state, one that would uphold the principles of the Union.
The Birth of West Virginia
Fueled by their pro-Union sentiments, the western delegates initiated a movement to separate from Virginia and form their own state. On November 26, 1861, they convened the Secessionist Convention, marking the official start of West Virginia’s journey toward statehood.
The process was not without its challenges. Debates raged over the boundaries of the new state, with various counties vying for inclusion. Ultimately, 50 counties were included in West Virginia, which officially broke away from Confederate Virginia on April 11, 1862. The new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, solidifying its place in the nation.
West Virginia as a Battleground
Despite its Unionist leanings, West Virginia became a target for Confederate raids and guerrilla warfare during the Civil War. Confederate forces sought to disrupt Union control, acquire essential supplies, and cripple the vital Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which served as a crucial link between the Northeast and the Midwest.
The Allegheny Mountain counties, with their divided loyalties, became hotbeds of guerrilla warfare. Bushwhacking, raids by partisan rangers, and guerrilla attacks were common occurrences, as neighbor turned against neighbor in a brutal struggle for control.
While the Confederacy posed a constant threat, they never managed to wrest overall control of West Virginia from the Unionists. The state remained a bastion of Union support throughout the war.
Significant Military Engagements
Several significant military engagements took place within the borders of present-day West Virginia during the Civil War. These battles often pitted Union and Confederate soldiers, including West Virginia natives fighting on opposite sides, against each other.
Some of the most notable battles include:
- Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown (September 1862): These battles were part of the Maryland Campaign and saw fierce fighting between Union and Confederate forces.
- Droop Mountain (1863): This Union victory effectively ended Confederate resistance in West Virginia.
- Summit Point (1864): This battle was part of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and resulted in an inconclusive outcome.
A State Divided
Like other border states such as Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri, West Virginia’s citizens found themselves divided in their allegiances. Approximately 18,000 Confederate soldiers hailed from West Virginia counties, demonstrating the deep divisions within the state.
The divided loyalties led to irregular warfare, with bushwhacking, partisan ranger raids, and guerrilla attacks becoming commonplace. Towns like Romney endured repeated occupation by both sides, forcing residents to witness the full horrors of civil war.
The War’s Toll
By the war’s end, over 32,000 soldiers had served in West Virginia regiments and other military organizations, participating in numerous significant battles. The war left an indelible mark on the state, its people, and its landscape.
Reconciliation and Remembrance
Following the Civil War, West Virginians, both Union and Confederate veterans, returned to their new state to rebuild their lives. However, the divisions of the war lingered, particularly in the realm of veteran benefits.
While Union veterans in West Virginia became eligible for federal pensions, Confederate veterans were denied recognition for their service by the state government. The Commonwealth of Virginia provided pensions only to its residents, leaving West Virginia’s ex-Confederates without state support.
Campaigns and Battles: A Detailed Overview
The Civil War in West Virginia comprised numerous campaigns and battles, each with its own significance. Here is a more in-depth look at some of the key military operations:
- Western Virginia Campaign (June-December 1861): This campaign, also known as the Rich Mountain Campaign, involved a series of battles fought in present-day West Virginia. The Union forces, led by Major General George B. McClellan, sought to secure the region’s mineral resources and strategic roads, as well as control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
- Philippi (June 3, 1861): Considered the first significant land action in the Eastern Theater, this Union victory saw Union forces routing a small Confederate occupation force.
- Laurel Hill (July 7-11, 1861): This series of skirmishes served as a diversionary attack for the Battle of Rich Mountain.
- Rich Mountain (July 11, 1861): This Union victory was instrumental in propelling McClellan to command of the Army of the Potomac.
- Corrick’s Ford (July 13, 1861): In this skirmish, Union forces overtook Confederate Brigadier General Robert S. Garnett’s rearguard, resulting in Garnett’s death, the first general officer killed in the Civil War.
- Scary Creek (July 17, 1861): A minor battle that resulted in a Confederate victory, but ultimately led to most of the Kanawha Valley falling into Union hands.
- Kessler’s Cross Lanes (August 26, 1861): A Confederate victory in which Union forces were surprised and routed.
- Carnifex Ferry (September 10, 1861): A Union victory that convinced the Confederate forces to retreat.
- Cheat Mountain (September 12-15, 1861): This Union victory resulted in Confederate forces withdrawing.
- Greenbrier River (October 3, 1861): An inconclusive battle with roughly equal casualties on both sides.
- Guyandotte (November 10-11, 1861): A Confederate raid on a Union recruit camp, followed by the burning of the town by Union forces in retaliation.
- Camp Alleghany (December 13, 1861): An inconclusive battle with roughly equal casualties on both sides.
- Manassas Campaign (July 1861): This campaign, aimed at capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond, included the Battle of Hoke’s Run in present-day West Virginia.
- Hoke’s Run (July 2, 1861): A Union victory that contributed to the Union defeat at First Manassas due to a lack of follow-up.
- Jackson’s Operations Against the B&O Railroad (1861-62): Confederate General Stonewall Jackson aimed to disrupt the critical Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a major supply route for the Union Army.
- Hancock (January 5-6, 1862): An inconclusive battle with minor damage to the town of Hancock, Maryland.
- Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign (March-June 1862): This Confederate campaign through the Shenandoah Valley included the Battle of Princeton Courthouse in present-day West Virginia.
- Henry Clark House (May 1, 1862): A skirmish between Union and Confederate forces.
- Princeton Court House (May 15-17, 1862): A Confederate victory that forced Union forces to retreat.
- Maryland Campaign (September 1862): This campaign included two battles in West Virginia: Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown.
- Charleston (September 13, 1862): A Confederate victory followed by a Union recapture of the city.
- Harpers Ferry (September 14-15, 1862): A significant Confederate victory in which they captured over 12,000 Union troops.
- Shepherdstown (September 19-20, 1862): A Confederate victory that discouraged Federal pursuit.
- Hurricane Bridge (March 28, 1863): A skirmish between Union and Confederate forces resulting in a Confederate withdrawal.
- Bulltown (October 13, 1863): This Confederate defeat was a failed attempt to disrupt Federal communications between the Greenbrier and Kanawha Valleys.
- Averell’s Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad (August-November 1863): A series of Union cavalry raids aimed at disrupting Confederate railroads and troop concentrations.
- White Sulphur Springs (August 26-27, 1863): A Confederate victory that forced Union forces to retreat.
- Droop Mountain (November 6, 1863): A Union victory that effectively ended Confederate resistance in West Virginia.
- Early’s Raid and Operations against the B&O Railroad (June-August, 1864): Confederate General Jubal Early aimed to sweep Union forces from the Shenandoah Valley and threaten Washington, D.C.
- Moorefield (August 7, 1864): A Union victory that impeded the morale and effectiveness of the Confederate cavalry.
- Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign (August-December 1864): Union General Philip Sheridan aimed to defeat Confederate General Jubal Early.
- Summit Point (August 21, 1864): An inconclusive battle with an estimated 1,000 casualties.
- Smithfield Crossing (August 29, 1864): An inconclusive battle with an estimated 300 casualties.
- Kabletown (November 18, 1864): The final battle in West Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.
Legacy of the Civil War in West Virginia
The Civil War left an enduring legacy on West Virginia, shaping its identity, its politics, and its people. The state’s formation as a result of the conflict stands as a testament to the power of differing viewpoints and the struggle for self-determination.
The battles fought on its soil, the divided loyalties of its citizens, and the challenges of reconciliation all contribute to the complex and compelling history of West Virginia during the Civil War. As we reflect on this pivotal period, we gain a deeper understanding of the state’s past and its enduring impact on the present.