West Virginia

History

Despite its central location and disputed territory, West Virginia suffered comparatively little.

In a series of relatively small battles, McClellan's forces gained possession of the greater part of the territory in the summer of 1861, and Union control was never seriously threatened, in spite of Robert E. Lee's attempt later same year to retake parts of western Virginia.

A key part of the Union strategy in West Virginia for the rest of the war was to keep the vital Baltimore and Ohio Railroad open as a major supply and troop transportation route.

Another important mission was to protect the vast supply warehouses and munitions factories at Harpers Ferry. However, the town fell to Stonewall Jackson during early days of the Maryland Campaign, and the surrender of its Federal garrison was the largest capture of U.S. Army troops until World War II nearly eighty years later. With Lee's withdrawal to Virginia following the Battle of Antietam, Harpers Ferry reverted to Union control for the rest of the war. The Maryland Campaign concluded in what became West Virginia with the Battle of Shepherdstown.

In 1863 Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden, with 5,000 Confederates, overran a considerable portion of the state and tore up sections of the B&O. Bands of guerrillas burned and plundered in some sections, and were not entirely suppressed until after the war was ended.

The state furnished about 36,000 soldiers to the Federal armies and somewhat less than 10,000 to the Confederates, including a brigade of cavalry under antebellum U.S. Congressman Albert G. Jenkins which saw considerable action during the Gettysburg Campaign, as well as other major campaigns. 

The absence in the army of the Confederate sympathizers helps to explain the small vote against the formation of the new state. A number of West Virginia regiments were distinguished for their war records, including the 7th West Virginia Infantry (which assaulted the Sunken Road at Antietam and rushed onto Cemetery Hill in the twilight at the Battle of Gettysburg to help push back the famed Louisiana Tigers. The 3rd West Virginia Cavalry also fought well at Gettysburg as a part of John Buford's veteran cavalry division that defended McPherson's Ridge on the first day of the battle.

President Lincoln was in a close campaign when he won reelection in 1864. However, the act that allowed the state to be created was signed in 1862, two years before Lincoln's re-election would have been an issue in any real way.

Slavery was officially abolished February 3, 1865.

Battles in West Virginia

Each battle is listed in the order in which it occurred.

1. Battle of Philippi (June 3, 1861), Barbour County - Union victory propels George McClellan into limelight.
2. Battle of Hoke's Run (July 2, 1861), Berkeley County - Stonewall Jackson successfully delays a larger Union force.
3. Battle of Rich Mountain (July 11, 1861), Randolph County - Another McClellan victory propels him to high command.
4. Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes (August 26, 1861), Nicholas County - Confederates rout Tyler's Union force; Lee arrives soon after.
5. Battle of Greenbrier River (October 3, 1861), Pocahontas County - Inconclusive fight brings only bloodshed, but no resolution.
6. Battle of Carnifex Ferry (September 10, 1861), Nicholas County - Rosecrans drives back the Confederates and wins more territory.
7. Battle of Cheat Mountain (September 12-15, 1861), Pocahontas County - Lee is beaten and is recalled to Richmond.
8. Battle of Camp Allegheny (December 13, 1861), Pocahontas County - Union attack is repulsed and both sides camp for the winter.
9. Battle of Hancock (January 5–6, 1862), Morgan County - Stonewall Jackson's operations against the B&O Railroad.
10. Battle of Harpers Ferry (September 12-15, 1862), Jefferson County - Jackson surrounds the town and forces its garrison to surrender.
11. Battle of Charleston (September 13, 1862), Kanawha County - Confederates take Charleston, occupying it for six weeks.
12. Battle of Shepherdstown (September 19-20, 1862), Jefferson County - A. P. Hill's counterattack secures Lee's retreat from Sharpsburg.
13. Battle of Droop Mountain (November 6, 1863) Averell's forces encountered Confederate forces.
14. Battle of Moorefield (August 7, 1864), Hardy County - Union cavalry drives off John McCausland's Confederate cavalry.

Notable figures

Union

• George B. McClellan - Led first Union forces into western Virginia and secured early victories and publicity.
• William Starke Rosecrans - Effective subordinate to McClellan, won independent victory at Rich Mountain, but was sent west.
• Robert H. Milroy - Led Union forces in several early battles; failed to achieve a significant victory.
• Fitz John Porter - Early actions in western Virginia helped secure place as key subordinate to McClellan.

Confederate

• Robert E. Lee - Tried to unite scattered CSA forces; failed to win major victory and was recalled to Richmond.
• Edward Johnson - Gained nickname "Allegheny" for stubborn defense of Allegheny Mountain.
• Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson - Led early Confederate offensive that accomplished very little strategically. Withdrew under superior enemy forces.
• Albert G. Jenkins - Former Congressman who led a brigade of western Virginia cavalrymen.
• William N. Pendleton - Lee's artillery commander who helped delay the Union pursuit at Shepherdstown after Antietam
• Ambrose P. Hill - Led hard-hitting counterattack at Shepherdstown that drove the Yankees into the Potomac River.
• Belle Boyd - Effective spy who provided intelligence to the Confederate commanders
• John McCausland - Confederate cavalry raider who sacked the B&O Railroad and sparred with Union forces in West Virginia.
• Charles J. Faulkner (1806-1884) - Former Congressman and diplomat detained as a prisoner early in the war in a well-publicized incident.