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1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Month)
Encyclopedia
The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. During its period of service, the regiment was known as the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
in May, 1861 from volunteer companies from Hancock
, Brooke
, Ohio
, and Marshall
counties (the Northern Panhandle
of the state). These companies had been formed by pro-Union
citizens of these counties in April 1861, after the Commonwealth of Virginia
voted to secede from the Union, in order to resist Confederate
incursions from the eastern portions of the state. The Regiment was mustered into United States service by companies for a period of three months (the first company, Company A, was mustered into service on May 10, while the final company, Company K, was mustered on May 23). Company A (from the Fourth Ward of Wheeling) had actually been organized, as the Rough and Ready Guards, on April 18, 1861, the day after the state convention voted for secession.
Under the command of Colonel
Benjamin Franklin Kelley
, the 1st Virginia traveled from Wheeling by train on May 27 to near Mannington
to secure a bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
, which had been destroyed by the rebels. After remaining there two days, the regiment advanced again, seizing the important railroad junction of Grafton
on May 30 from a body of Virginia state militia under command of Confederate Col. George A. Porterfield
. Porterfield's troops retreated to Philippi
where, on June 3, they were defeated by a Union force which included the 1st Virginia Infantry. The Battle of Philippi was the first land battle of the Civil War. During the battle, Col. Kelley was seriously wounded. The Regiment remained on duty at Rowlesburg
, Grafton, and Philippi until July.
During the remainder of their three months service, the regiment was separated. A detachment of five companies served with Major General
George B. McClellan
in the Rich Mountain
campaign. Another detachment was with Col. Erastus B. Tyler
in a campaign against Confederate Brigadier General
Henry A. Wise
, who at that time had attempted an invasion of western Virginia. The remainder of the regiment guarded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On August 19, they returned to Wheeling where the 3-months regiment was mustered out of Federal service on August 27, 1861.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. During its period of service, the regiment was known as the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Service
The first incarnation of the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (known as the 1st Virginia at the time) was organized at Wheeling, VirginiaWheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in May, 1861 from volunteer companies from Hancock
Hancock County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,667 people, 13,678 households, and 9,506 families residing in the county. The population density was 394 people per square mile . There were 14,728 housing units at an average density of 178 per square mile...
, Brooke
Brooke County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,447 people, 10,396 households, and 7,152 families residing in the county. The population density was 286 people per square mile . There were 11,150 housing units at an average density of 126 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,427 people, 19,733 households, and 12,155 families residing in the county. The population density was 447 people per square mile . There were 22,166 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile...
, and Marshall
Marshall County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,519 people, 14,207 households, and 10,101 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 people per square mile . There were 15,814 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
counties (the Northern Panhandle
Northern Panhandle of West Virginia
The Northern Panhandle is a culturally and geographically distinct region in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is the state's northernmost extension, bounded by the Ohio River on the north and west, along with the state of Pennsylvania on the east...
of the state). These companies had been formed by pro-Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
citizens of these counties in April 1861, after the Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
voted to secede from the Union, in order to resist Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
incursions from the eastern portions of the state. The Regiment was mustered into United States service by companies for a period of three months (the first company, Company A, was mustered into service on May 10, while the final company, Company K, was mustered on May 23). Company A (from the Fourth Ward of Wheeling) had actually been organized, as the Rough and Ready Guards, on April 18, 1861, the day after the state convention voted for secession.
Under the command of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Benjamin Franklin Kelley
Benjamin Franklin Kelley
Benjamin Franklin Kelley was an American soldier who served as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He played a prominent role in several military campaigns in West Virginia and Maryland....
, the 1st Virginia traveled from Wheeling by train on May 27 to near Mannington
Mannington, West Virginia
Mannington is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States located in the hills of North-Central West Virginia. Known as Mannington since 1856, the town is rich with history and heritage – from Native American relics to frontiersmen and their settlements to Civil War legends...
to secure a bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
, which had been destroyed by the rebels. After remaining there two days, the regiment advanced again, seizing the important railroad junction of Grafton
Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton is a city in, and county seat of, Taylor County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's...
on May 30 from a body of Virginia state militia under command of Confederate Col. George A. Porterfield
George A. Porterfield
George Alexander Porterfield was a junior officer of United States forces in the Mexican-American War, colonel in the Confederate States Army during the first year of the American Civil War and longtime banker in Charles Town, West Virginia after the war...
. Porterfield's troops retreated to Philippi
Philippi, West Virginia
Philippi is a city in — and the county seat of — Barbour County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,870 at the 2000 census. In 1861, the city was the site of the Battle of Philippi, known as "The Philippi Races"...
where, on June 3, they were defeated by a Union force which included the 1st Virginia Infantry. The Battle of Philippi was the first land battle of the Civil War. During the battle, Col. Kelley was seriously wounded. The Regiment remained on duty at Rowlesburg
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Rowlesburg is a town in Preston County, West Virginia, United States, along the Cheat River. The population was 613 at the 2000 census.-History:The Downtown Rowlesburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005....
, Grafton, and Philippi until July.
During the remainder of their three months service, the regiment was separated. A detachment of five companies served with Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
in the Rich Mountain
Battle of Rich Mountain
The Battle of Rich Mountain took place on July 11, 1861, in Randolph County, Virginia as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.-Background:...
campaign. Another detachment was with Col. Erastus B. Tyler
Erastus B. Tyler
Erastus Bernard Tyler was an American businessman, merchant, and soldier. He was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and fought in many of the early battles in the Eastern Theater before being assigned command of the defenses of Baltimore, Maryland. He briefly commanded the...
in a campaign against Confederate Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Henry A. Wise
Henry A. Wise
Henry Alexander Wise was an American politician and governor of Virginia, as well as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, who at that time had attempted an invasion of western Virginia. The remainder of the regiment guarded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On August 19, they returned to Wheeling where the 3-months regiment was mustered out of Federal service on August 27, 1861.
Casualties
The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment suffered no fatalities in battle during its enlistment. However, a member of Company G was killed in camp on May 29, 1861 from the accidental discharge of a gun.Officers
- Col. Benjamin Franklin KelleyBenjamin Franklin KelleyBenjamin Franklin Kelley was an American soldier who served as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He played a prominent role in several military campaigns in West Virginia and Maryland....
- Lt. Col. Henry B. Hubbard
- Maj. Isaac H. DuvalIsaac H. DuvalIsaac Harding Duval was an adventurer and businessman prior to becoming a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a postbellum U.S. Representative from West Virginia in the 41st United States Congress.-Early life and career:Duval was born in Wellsburg, West...
(later promoted to brigadier general) - Surgeon Joseph Thoburn (later appointed colonel of the regiment for three years' service1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Year)The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service record:...
)
Sources
- The Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories - West Virginia, 1st Regiment Infantry (3 Months) (reprinted from the Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of West Virginia for the Year Ending December 31, 1864)
See also
- West Virginia Units in the Civil WarWest Virginia Units in the Civil WarWest Virginia provided the following units to the Union Army during the American Civil War. Units from raised in western Virginia prior to the creation of the state of West Virginia carried the title of Virginia until then.-Infantry units:...
- 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Year)1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Year)The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service record:...
- 1st West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment1st West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry RegimentThe 1st West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the last year of the American Civil War...
- West Virginia in the Civil WarWest Virginia in the Civil WarThe U.S. state of West Virginia was formed out of western Virginia and added to the Union as a direct result of the American Civil War . In the summer of 1861, Union troops under General George McClellan drove off Confederate troops under General Robert E. Lee...