Kanawha Division
Encyclopedia
The Kanawha Division was a Union Army
division
which could trace its origins back to a brigade originally commanded by Jacob D. Cox. This division served in western Virginia and Maryland and was at times led by such famous personalities as George Crook
and Rutherford B. Hayes
.
in West Virginia. The brigade became part of the new District of the Kanawha, both commanded by Cox and fought at the battle of Princeton Court House in 1861.
, Cox and the Kanawha Division were transferred to the Army of Virginia
. Only one brigade under Col. Eliakim P. Scammon
was involved in the engagement and that was only in the preliminary fighting near Bull Run Bridge on August 27. In the aftermath of Bull Run the Kanawha Division was transferred to the Washington Defenses which Cox also assumed command of upon his arrival in Washington.
the Kanawha Division was removed from Washington and attached to the IX Corps
. The division was composed of two brigades commanded by colonels Eliakim P. Scammon and Augustus Moor. Cox remained in command and led the division at the Battle of South Mountain
. Days before the battle of Antietam
an unusual change in command occurred. General Ambrose E. Burnside had recently commanded the IX Corps, but during the Maryland Campaign had been raised to that of a "Wing" commander, having under his command the IX Corps and I Corps. General Jesse L. Reno
had been acting IX Corps commander, but upon his death at South Mountain, Jacob Cox being the next ranking general in the corps replaced Reno in command. Colonel Scammon, though only a colonel, was the next ranking officer and took command of the Kanawha Division. At Antietam, Burnside still held on to his title of Wing commander, even though the two corps in his wing were on complete opposite sides of the battlefield. Burnside remained with his old IX Corps but elected to keep Cox in corps command, creating an extra and unnecessary link in the chain of command. The Kanawha Division’s two brigades were now commanded by Col. Hugh Ewing (succeeding Scammon) and Col. George Crook
(replacing Moor, who had been captured Sept 13). Crook’s brigade crossed Burnside Bridge
in support of Samuel D. Sturgis
’s division while Ewing’s brigade crossed Antietam Creek
at Snavely’s Ford in support of Isaac P. Rodman
.
, particularly those under John S. Mosby
. One noteworthy unit to come out of the division at this time was the so called Blazer's Scouts
created by Colonel Carr B. White
. One of the division’s brigade commanders, Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes
, scorned Scammon for his cautious nature and the resulting inactivity. When George Crook returned to command the division in 1864, Hayes welcomed the aggressive new commander.
. West Virginia Union regiments were dispersed throughout the three brigades, the original Ohio regiments were divided between Hayes and White and two Pennsylvania regiments were added with the arrival of Colonel Sickel. Crook led the division into action at the battle of Cloyd’s Mountain
and then joined David Hunter
’s army for the battle of Lynchburg
.
assumed command of the 1st Division and Isaac H. Duval
of the 2nd Division. A third division of infantry and two divisions of cavalry were also added. Crook led his short-lived army into the Second Battle of Kernstown. On August 8, Crook renamed his forces the Army of West Virginia
. Crook’s “army” joined Philip H. Sheridan’s forces outside Winchester, Virginia
under the banner of the VIII Corps. Colonel Duval continued in command of the Kanawha Division at the battle of Opequon
and was initially held in reserve. At a critical point in the fighting the division was called forward and the brigade of Colonel Hayes made a charge against the Confederate flank. During the fighting Colonel Duval was wounded and Hayes assumed command of the Kanawha Division. At Opequon the division had two brigades initially commanded by colonels Hayes and Daniel Johnson. Colonel Hiram Devol succeeded Hayes in command of the 1st Brigade command and Lt. Col. Benjamin F. Coates replaced the wounded Johnson in command of the 2nd Brigade during the fighting.
Despite the inquiries of several brigadier generals for command of the Kanawha Division, Crook decided to keep Hayes in command, much to the Ohio politician’s delight. Hayes and Crook helped coordinate the successful flank attack at the battle of Fisher's Hill
carried out by Hayes’ division. At the battle of Cedar Creek
the entire Union army was caught off guard by the Confederate surprise attack and Crook’s entire command bore the weight of the initial assault. Hayes was wounded and narrowly escaped capture. Despite this poor showing of Hayes and the Kanawha Division, earlier successes in the campaign assured their reputations would escape any permanent blemish. Hayes remained in command of the Kanawha Division until December 1864. Cedar Creek would be its last major fight of the war.
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...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
which could trace its origins back to a brigade originally commanded by Jacob D. Cox. This division served in western Virginia and Maryland and was at times led by such famous personalities as George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
and Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
.
Kanawha Brigade
On July 1, 1861 Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox took command of a brigade, composed of Ohio volunteer regiments, which he titled the “Kanawha Brigade” in reference to its duty in the Kanawha ValleyKanawha River
The Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 97 mi long, in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The largest inland waterway in West Virginia, it has formed a significant industrial region of the state since the middle of the 19th century.It is formed at the town of Gauley...
in West Virginia. The brigade became part of the new District of the Kanawha, both commanded by Cox and fought at the battle of Princeton Court House in 1861.
Second Bull Run
By 1862 the unit grew to the size of a division. As early as June 1862 the name “Kanawha Division” was officially being used for service in the Mountain Department. In preparation for the upcoming battle of Second Bull RunSecond Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
, Cox and the Kanawha Division were transferred to the Army of Virginia
Army of Virginia
The Army of Virginia was organized as a major unit of the Union Army and operated briefly and unsuccessfully in 1862 in the American Civil War. It should not be confused with its principal opponent, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E...
. Only one brigade under Col. Eliakim P. Scammon
Eliakim P. Scammon
Eliakim Parker Scammon was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
was involved in the engagement and that was only in the preliminary fighting near Bull Run Bridge on August 27. In the aftermath of Bull Run the Kanawha Division was transferred to the Washington Defenses which Cox also assumed command of upon his arrival in Washington.
Maryland Campaign
During the Maryland CampaignMaryland Campaign
The Maryland Campaign, or the Antietam Campaign is widely considered one of the major turning points of the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North was repulsed by Maj. Gen. George B...
the Kanawha Division was removed from Washington and attached to the IX Corps
IX Corps (ACW)
IX Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War that distinguished itself in combat in multiple theaters: the Carolinas, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.-Formation, Second Bull Run, and Antietam:...
. The division was composed of two brigades commanded by colonels Eliakim P. Scammon and Augustus Moor. Cox remained in command and led the division at the Battle of South Mountain
Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
. Days before the battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
an unusual change in command occurred. General Ambrose E. Burnside had recently commanded the IX Corps, but during the Maryland Campaign had been raised to that of a "Wing" commander, having under his command the IX Corps and I Corps. General Jesse L. Reno
Jesse L. Reno
Jesse Lee Reno was a career United States Army officer who served in the Mexican-American War, the western frontier, and as a Union General during the American Civil War...
had been acting IX Corps commander, but upon his death at South Mountain, Jacob Cox being the next ranking general in the corps replaced Reno in command. Colonel Scammon, though only a colonel, was the next ranking officer and took command of the Kanawha Division. At Antietam, Burnside still held on to his title of Wing commander, even though the two corps in his wing were on complete opposite sides of the battlefield. Burnside remained with his old IX Corps but elected to keep Cox in corps command, creating an extra and unnecessary link in the chain of command. The Kanawha Division’s two brigades were now commanded by Col. Hugh Ewing (succeeding Scammon) and Col. George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
(replacing Moor, who had been captured Sept 13). Crook’s brigade crossed Burnside Bridge
Burnside Bridge
The Burnside Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.-Design:Including approaches, the Burnside has a total length of and a center span. While lowered this span is normally above the river. The deck is made of concrete, which contributes to its being one of...
in support of Samuel D. Sturgis
Samuel D. Sturgis
Samuel Davis Sturgis was an American military officer who served in the Mexican-American War, as a Union general in the American Civil War, and later in the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
’s division while Ewing’s brigade crossed Antietam Creek
Antietam Creek
Antietam Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River located in south central Pennsylvania and western Maryland in the United States, a region known as the Hagerstown Valley...
at Snavely’s Ford in support of Isaac P. Rodman
Isaac P. Rodman
Isaac Peace Rodman was a Rhode Island banker and politician, and a Union Army brigadier general in the American Civil War, mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam.-Early life and career:...
.
West Virginia and Morgan’s Raid
After Antietam, Cox was transferred to duty in the Department of the Ohio and the Kanawha Division returned to West Virginia. George Crook replaced Scammon in command of the division during the winter of 1862/1863 until he was also transferred further west, at which time Scammon returned to command. By the time Scammon returned to command the division lost its official designation as the “Kanawha Division” and was now designated the 3rd Division in the Department of West Virginia. This period also marked a time of relative inactivity for the division. Fighting devolved to guerrilla operations against Confederate partisansPartisan (military)
A partisan is a member of an irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation by some kind of insurgent activity...
, particularly those under John S. Mosby
John S. Mosby
John Singleton Mosby , nicknamed the "Gray Ghost", was a Confederate cavalry battalion commander in the American Civil War...
. One noteworthy unit to come out of the division at this time was the so called Blazer's Scouts
Blazer's Scouts
Blazer's Scouts was the name for a military company aligned with the Union Army during the second half of the American Civil War. They were particularly active in tracking down and confronting Confederate partisans and guerrillas in West Virginia and Virginia, particularly those of Colonel John S....
created by Colonel Carr B. White
Carr B. White
Carr Baily White was a physician, officer during the Mexican War and general during the American Civil War. His Civil War service is greatly associated with operations in western Virginia and Maryland....
. One of the division’s brigade commanders, Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
, scorned Scammon for his cautious nature and the resulting inactivity. When George Crook returned to command the division in 1864, Hayes welcomed the aggressive new commander.
Cloyd’s Mountain
Crook took command of the Kanawha Division in February 1864. At the time only a few regiments remained from the original Kanawha Division which had fought at South Mountain and the division was officially designated the 2nd Division in the Department of West Virginia. The division had three brigades commanded respectively by colonels Rutherford Hayes, Carr B. White and Horatio G. SickelHoratio G. Sickel
Horatio Gates Sickel was a Union general during the American Civil War. He served in the Pennsylvania Reserves during the first part of the war and later commanded brigades in western Virginia and at Petersburg, where a serious wound ended his military career.-Early life:Horatio Sickel was born...
. West Virginia Union regiments were dispersed throughout the three brigades, the original Ohio regiments were divided between Hayes and White and two Pennsylvania regiments were added with the arrival of Colonel Sickel. Crook led the division into action at the battle of Cloyd’s Mountain
Battle of Cloyd's Mountain
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia in 1864 that allowed the Union forces to destroy the last railroad connecting Tennessee to Virginia.-Background:...
and then joined David Hunter
David Hunter
David Hunter was a Union general in the American Civil War. He achieved fame by his unauthorized 1862 order emancipating slaves in three Southern states and as the president of the military commission trying the conspirators involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.-Early...
’s army for the battle of Lynchburg
Battle of Lynchburg
The Battle of Lynchburg was fought on June 17–18, 1864, two miles outside Lynchburg, Virginia, as part of the American Civil War. The Union Army of West Virginia, under Maj. Gen. David Hunter attempted to capture the city, but was repulsed by Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Anderson...
.
Army of the Kanawha and Army of West Virginia
On July 2, 1864 George Crook took command of what he called the Army of the Kanawha. At the same time Crook also personally commanded the 1st and 2nd “Kanawha” Divisions of his army. By the end of July Joseph ThoburnJoseph Thoburn
Joseph Thoburn was born in the district of Mallusk north of Belfast, County Antrim, to be found in the modern-day borough of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, UK. He went on to be a physician and soldier from the state of West Virginia who served as an officer and brigade commander in the Union...
assumed command of the 1st Division and Isaac H. Duval
Isaac H. Duval
Isaac 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...
of the 2nd Division. A third division of infantry and two divisions of cavalry were also added. Crook led his short-lived army into the Second Battle of Kernstown. On August 8, Crook renamed his forces the Army of West Virginia
Army of West Virginia
The Army of West Virginia served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was the primary field army of the Department of West Virginia. It campaigned primarily in West Virginia, Southwest Virginia and in the Shenandoah Valley. It is noted for having two future U.S. presidents serve in...
. Crook’s “army” joined Philip H. Sheridan’s forces outside Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
under the banner of the VIII Corps. Colonel Duval continued in command of the Kanawha Division at the battle of Opequon
Battle of Opequon
The Battle of Opequon, more commonly known as the Third Battle of Winchester, was fought in Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864, during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War....
and was initially held in reserve. At a critical point in the fighting the division was called forward and the brigade of Colonel Hayes made a charge against the Confederate flank. During the fighting Colonel Duval was wounded and Hayes assumed command of the Kanawha Division. At Opequon the division had two brigades initially commanded by colonels Hayes and Daniel Johnson. Colonel Hiram Devol succeeded Hayes in command of the 1st Brigade command and Lt. Col. Benjamin F. Coates replaced the wounded Johnson in command of the 2nd Brigade during the fighting.
Despite the inquiries of several brigadier generals for command of the Kanawha Division, Crook decided to keep Hayes in command, much to the Ohio politician’s delight. Hayes and Crook helped coordinate the successful flank attack at the battle of Fisher's Hill
Battle of Fisher's Hill
The Battle of Fisher's Hill was fought September 21–22, 1864, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. Fisher's Hill is located near Strasburg, Virginia....
carried out by Hayes’ division. At the battle of Cedar Creek
Battle of Cedar Creek
The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, October 19, 1864, was one of the final, and most decisive, battles in the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. The final Confederate invasion of the North, led by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early, was effectively ended...
the entire Union army was caught off guard by the Confederate surprise attack and Crook’s entire command bore the weight of the initial assault. Hayes was wounded and narrowly escaped capture. Despite this poor showing of Hayes and the Kanawha Division, earlier successes in the campaign assured their reputations would escape any permanent blemish. Hayes remained in command of the Kanawha Division until December 1864. Cedar Creek would be its last major fight of the war.
Command History
| Commander | Date | Official Designation | Major Battles |
|---|---|---|---|
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 1–25 July 1861 | Kanawha Brigade, Dept of Ohio | |
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 25 July-11 Oct 1861 | Kanawha Brigade, Army of Occupation | |
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 11 Oct 1861-26 June 1862 | Kanawha Brigade, Dist. of Kanawha | Battle of Princeton Court House |
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 26 June-30 Aug 1862 | Kanawha Division, Army of Virginia | Second Battle of Bull Run Second Battle of Bull Run The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen... |
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 30 Aug-7 Sept 1862 | Kanawha Division, Defenses of Washington | |
| BG Jacob D. Cox | 7-14 Sept 1862 | Kanawha Division, IX Corps | Battle of South Mountain Battle of South Mountain The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B... |
| Col Eliakim Scammon | 14 Sept-Oct 1862 | Kanawha Division, IX Corps | Battle of Antietam Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000... |
| BG George Crook | Oct 1862-21 Jan 1863 | Kanawha Division, Dept of the Ohio | |
| 21 Jan-27 Mar 1863 | Kanawha Division, Dept of the Ohio | ||
| BG Eliakim Scammon | 27 Mar-26 June 1863 | 3rd Division, Dept of West Virginia | |
| 26–28 June 1863 | 3rd Division, Dept of West Virginia | ||
| BG Eliakim Scammon | 28 June 1863-3 Feb 1864 | 3rd Division, Dept of West Virginia | Morgan's Raid Morgan's Raid Morgan's Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen... |
| BG George Crook | 3 Feb-28 Apr 1862 | 3rd Division, Dept of West Virginia | |
| BG George Crook | 28 Apr-2 July 1862 | 2nd Division, Dept of West Virginia | Battle of Cloyd's Mountain Battle of Cloyd's Mountain The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia in 1864 that allowed the Union forces to destroy the last railroad connecting Tennessee to Virginia.-Background:... |
| BG George Crook | 2–22 July 1864 | 2nd Division, Army of the Kanawha | |
| Col Isaac H. Duval | 22 July-8 Aug 1864 | 2nd Division, Army of the Kanawha | Second Battle of Kernstown |
| Col Isaac H. Duval | 8 Aug-19 Sept 1864 | 2nd Division, Army of West Virginia | Battle of Opequon Battle of Opequon The Battle of Opequon, more commonly known as the Third Battle of Winchester, was fought in Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864, during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War.... |
| Col Rutherford Hayes | 19 Sept-24 Dec 1864 | 2nd Division, Army of West Virginia | Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Fisher's Hill The Battle of Fisher's Hill was fought September 21–22, 1864, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. Fisher's Hill is located near Strasburg, Virginia.... , Battle of Cedar Creek Battle of Cedar Creek The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, October 19, 1864, was one of the final, and most decisive, battles in the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. The final Confederate invasion of the North, led by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early, was effectively ended... |
Units
These regiments fought in the Kanawha Division from South Mountain to Cedar Creek- 12th Ohio Infantry12th Ohio Infantry12th Ohio Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-History:The 12th OVI was organized at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 3, 1861 for three-months service, and reorganized on June 28 for three years, under Colonel John W. Lowe, who was killed early...
- 23rd Ohio Infantry23rd Ohio InfantryThe 23rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during much of the American Civil War. It served in the Eastern Theater in a variety of campaigns and battles, and is remembered with a stone memorial on the Antietam National Battlefield not far from Burnside's...
(notable members included Eliakim P. ScammonEliakim P. ScammonEliakim Parker Scammon was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
, Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. HayesRutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
, James Comly and William McKinleyWilliam McKinleyWilliam McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
) - 36th Ohio Infantry36th Ohio InfantryThe 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruited from several counties in southeastern Ohio, the 36th OVI participated in several battles in the Eastern Theater before being transferred for a period to the...
(notable members included George CrookGeorge CrookGeorge R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
) - 1st Ohio Artillery