University of Virginia Library

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.

We have followed the fortunes of Virginia through the old French
and Indian war; through two hundred years of border warfare; through
the stormy scenes of the Revolution; through the second war with
Great Britain; we know how her sons marched with alacrity to the distant
fields of Mexico; but now we are to see her plunged into a civil
war, the equal of which has not been recorded in the annals of nations.
Virginia, owing to her geographical position, was destined to become one
great battle-field. On her soil was to be marshaled the hosts of the contending
armies, and her mountains and valleys were to be crimsoned with
the best blood of the nation. Within her domain was to arise a new
commonwealth, and both the mother and the daughter were to reside
upon the ancient estate. The year 1861 found Virginia in a state of
civil commotion, unparalleled in history except it be France in the early
days of the French revolution.

On the one hand lay the States still composing the Federal Union,
while on the other were those which had cast their fortunes with the
Southern Confederacy. Virginia hesitated long. A majority of her
people in the east favored secession, while in the west, a large majority
was opposed to such action. But the time for final action had come. Early
in the year Governor John Letcher, influenced by the pressure of the
times, issued a proclamation, convening the State Legislature in extra
session; and, in obedience to the summons, that body convened in the
city of Richmond, January 7, 1861. Then commenced the stormiest
session in the history of that body.

Seven days after the meeting, a bill was passed calling for a convention
of the people of Virginia, the delegates to which were to be chosen
in the manner prescribed for the election of members of the legislature.
The convention was to consist of one hundred and fifty-two
members equal to the number of members composing the house of
delegates.

In compliance with the above act, the election of delegates was held
on the 4th day of February, 1861, and the convention met at Richmond
on the 13th of the same month.

THE CONVENTION.

Never before, in the history of the State, had a body convened presenting
such an array of talent. Among its members sat John Tyler,
ex-president of the United States; Henry A. Wise, ex-governor of Virginia,
and many others who had held positions of cabinet ministers in
the Federal government, or had been representatives in the councils of
the nation. There sat her most renowned jurists by the side of her profoundest
philosophers and literary characters.

That body organized by electing John Taney, Esq., a delegate from
Loudoun county, president of the convention, and John L. Eubank secretary
of the same. A committee on Federal Relations was appointed,
consisting of Messrs. Robert Y. Conrad, A. H. H. Stewart, Henry A.
Wise, Robert E. Scott, W. B. Preston, Lewis L. Harvie, Sherrard
Clemens, W. H. McFarland, William McComas, R. L. Montague,
Samuel Price, Valentine W. Southall, Waitman T. Willey, James C.
Bruce, W. W. Boyd, James Barbour, S. C. Williams, William C. Rives,
Samuel McD. Moore, George Blow, Jr., and Peter C. Johnson. Stewart
and Clemens asked to be, and were, excused from serving.

On the 18th day of February there appeared before the convention the
commissioners on the part of South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi, to
ask the co-operation of Virginia in establishing an independent government
for the seceded States. The first speaker was the Hon. Fulton

Anderson, of Mississippi, followed by Hon. Henry L. Benning, from
Georgia. Then came the commissioner from South Carolina. All, in
speeches resplendent with rhetorical flourish and literary excellence,
held up to view a new government, of a new union, in which Virginia,
should she pass an ordinance of secession, would become the chief
corner-stone. The effect produced by this visit of the commissioners
was truly powerful, and, in fact, determined the future action of the
convention.

On the 9th of March, the committee on Federal Relations submitted
a lengthy report, in which it was set forth that any State had a constitutional
right to withdraw from the federative union whenever a majority
of the people of that State chose to do so. One of the most spirited
debates of modern times now began, and continued until the 17th of
April, when the ordinance of secession was voted upon. The vote stood
eighty-one for, and fifty-one against it. Nearly all the delegates voting
against it were from the western part of the State. The following is a
verbatim copy of that document, now the most remarkable State paper
in the archives of Virginia:

"An Ordinance, To repeal the ratification of the Constitution of
the United States by the State of Virginia, and to resume all the rights
and powers granted under the said constitution.

"The People of Virginia, in their ratification of the Constitution
of the United States of America, adopted by them in convention on the
twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and eighty-eight, having declared that the powers granted
under the constitution were derived from the people of the United
States, and might be resumed whenever the same should be perverted to
their injury and oppression, and the Federal Government having perverted
said powers, not only to the injury of the People of Virginia
but the oppression of the Southern slave-holding States:

One hundred and forty-two signatures were attached to the ordinance.
At the election in May a majority of the votes cast were in favor of secession.
The governor issued a proclamation declaring Virginia out of
the Union, and placing the whole military force, offensive and defensive,
of the commonwealth under the chief control and direction of the president
of the Confederate States. Thus Virginia withdrew from the
Union.

MILITARY OPERATIONS.

Pending the final action at Richmond, companies and regiments were
being mustered and armed all over the State, ready for service in the
Confederate army. Early in the spring of 1861, a considerable force,
under command of General Joseph E. Johnston, was concentrated at
Harper's Ferry, where possession of the government property was taken.
Other forces were collected at Philippi, under command of Generals
Pegram and Garnett. But while the forces were being collected in
Western Virginia, events of much greater magnitude were occurring in
the East. Regiment after regiment reported ready for the fray and
took post along the Potomac, ready to repel any invasion.

FIRST FEDERAL TROOPS IN VIRGINIA.

The day after the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln issued a
proclamation calling for 75,000 men. The call was responded to with
alacrity by the Northern States, and by the first of May the required
number had been raised and concentrated at Washington and other
points along the borders of the seceded States; and although by far the
greater number lay at the capital, yet no advance was made until the
23d of May. The force destined for the invasion of Virginia consisted
of 8,000 infantry, two companies of cavalry, and two sections of Sherman's
artillery battalion, the whole under the command of General
Mansfield. Four thousand New York troops, under command of General
McDowell, were to co-operate with Mansfield's force. The object of
the advance was to take possession of Alexandria and drive the Confederates
from their position on Arlington Heights. The 1st Michigan
regiment was the first to enter Alexandria. They immediately took

possession of the depot and made prisoners of one hundred Confederate
cavalry stationed at that place. A Zouave regiment under Colonel
Ellsworth was the second that reached Alexandria, and at once began
to tear up the Richmond railroad. As they passed the Marshall hotel,
Ellsworth discovered a Confederate flag flying from the balcony. He
rushed through the hall, up a flight of stairs, pulled down the flag, and
was returning, when he was met by Jackson, the enraged proprietor,
who discharged the contents of a double-barreled shot-gun into his body.
Ellsworth fell to rise no more; but no sooner had the fatal shot been
fired than a private, named Brownell, shot Jackson through the heart,
and he and his victim expired at the same moment.

The first engagement of a serious nature occurred at Big Bethel, near
Fortress Monroe. Early in June, General Pierce with four regiments
was sent by General Butler to occupy Newport News. From here they
pushed on to Big Bethel, where they were met and defeated by a
body of Confederates. Pierce fell back with a loss of forty killed and
wounded.

MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.

The first engagement west of the mountains took place at Philippi, in
Barbour county, on the 3d day of June, between a Confederate force of
two thousand, under Colonel Potterfield, and a Federal force numbering
four thousand, commanded by Colonels Lander and Kelley. The Confederates
were beaten, and retreated with heavy loss. Colonel Kelley
was severely wounded, but afterwards recovered and was promoted to
the rank of brigadier-general.

BATTLE OF RICH MOUNTAIN.

On the 23d day of June, General McClellan assumed command of all
the Federal forces in Western Virginia, and immediately began a series
of movements which met with no successful resistance until the Confederates
were compelled to retreat beyond the mountains. He at once
marched against General Pegram, who, with a force of 4,000 infantry,
had taken up a strong position on Rich Mountain. McClellan, after
reconnoitering the position, sent General Rosecranz with two Indiana
regiments, and one from Ohio, together with a body of Cincinnati
cavalry, to take position in their rear. The Federals intended to keep
the Confederates in ignorance of the movement, but a messenger with
dispatches and a copy of the diagram of the route was captured, and
the plan of attack thus revealed. Pegram sent 2,500 men and a battery
of artillery to resist the advance of Rosecranz. They were the
first to reach the summit of the mountain, and here the Federals were

LARGE PENDANT, OR BROAD SEAL OF THE COLONY

of Virginia, in the reign of Queen Anne, 1710

greeted by a discharge of artillery, and their advance checked. Soon,
however, they were reinforced by an Indiana regiment, a charge was
made along the entire line, the Confederates fell back, and at once began
a hasty retreat. The mountain was strewn with the dead and wounded,
150 being buried on the field. Pegram, finding no way of escape, a few
days later surrendered his entire force prisoners of war.

ENGAGEMENT AT CARRICKS FORD.

At this time General Garnett was lying near Beverly, in Randolph
county, with a force of 6,000 men, and when he heard of Pegram's defeat,
began a retreat through the mountains to the east. He was hotly
pursued until he reached Carricks Ford, on Cheat river, where he
made a stand, but his forces were defeated, and he was left on the field
among the slain. He was a brave and meritorious officer, having won
distinction in the Mexican war.

The whole Confederate army in Western Virginia was at this time
(July 1) estimated at 10,000 strong. Of this force a considerable portion
was in the Great Kanawha Valley, under command of ex-Governor
Henry A. Wise. He made an advance down the river, but was confronted
by a Federal force commanded by General Cox, of Ohio. Wise
fell back toward the mountains, was overtaken at Gauley Bridge, but
continued his retreat without risking a battle.

ALONG THE POTOMAC -"ON TO RICHMOND."

While these events were transpiring in Western Virginia, two powerful
armies were being concentrated on the banks of the Potomac, and
were quietly preparing for a great battle. General Beauregard, who had
taken command in Virginia, after the fall of Fort Sumter, was at the
head of a powerful army at Manassas Junction, while General Joseph E.
Johnston was in command of 30,000 men in the neighborhood of Harpers
Ferry. General Patterson was in command of a Federal force concentrating
at Hagerstown, Maryland, for the purpose of preventing Johnston
from joining Beauregard when an attack should be made upon the latter.
An army of 40,000 men had now been collected at Washington, and
public opinion at the North demanded that an attack be made at once
upon the forces of General Beauregard, who had changed his location
and taken a strong natural position at Bull Run, about thirty miles
from the national capital.

General Irwin McDowell was placed in command, and on the 17th of
July all things were inreadiness. It was Saturday, and at 4 o'clock A. M.
the orders to march were given. Forty thousand men filed out from
Washington on the road leading to Centreville. It was the grandest

pageant that had yet been witnessed on the continent. Banners were
flying in every direction, and strains of martial music filled the air.
Little thought any one that ere thirty-six hours had passed away, that
magnificent army would be but a shattered fragment of its former self.
But behind the fortifications at Bull Run lay 30,000 brave men awaiting
the shock of battle. With the rising of the sun on that Sabbath
morning, came the sound of battle, and for thirteen dreadful hours
70,000 men struggled for the mastery. As the day waned away, so appeared
to wane the cause of the Southern arms, and just when the
victory of the Federals seemed assured, a long-expected reinforcement
arrived and turned the tide of battle. As Blucher slipped away from
Grouchy at Wavres, to decide the fate of Napoleon at Waterloo, so Johnston
had stolen away from Patterson, and by forced marches arrived just
in time to save the day and make a Waterloo for the Federal arms at
Bull Run. He poured 10,000 fresh troops in upon the now exhausted
regiments, and then at once began one of the most disastrous retreats an
account of which is recorded in history. The Federal army fell back to
Washington and the Confederates remained in possession of Bull Run.
Four thousand men lay dead upon the field. Thus terminated the first
great battle of the Civil War.

BATTLE OF CARNIFEX FERRY.

The Great Kanawha Valley was the principal salt-producing region of
the South, and hence of vast importance to the Confederate government.
After Wise was compelled to leave the valley, another force was sent to
Western Virginia, under ex-Secretary Floyd, who took position at
Carnifex Ferry, on Gauley river. General Rosecranz, with several regiments,
among which was the 12th Ohio, was sent against him. Detachments
of the two armies met at Summerville, near the county-seat of
Nicholas county, and a severe engagement ensued. The Federals retreated
with a loss of 200 killed and prisoners. On the 10th of August,
Rosecranz attacked Floyd's forces and a general engagement followed,
lasting four hours, when night put an end to the action. Floyd took
advantage of the darkness and fell back into the mountains. The Federal
loss was 225, among which was Colonel Lowe, of the 12th Ohio, who fell
at the head of his regiment.

GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE SENT TO WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Wise and Floyd both having shown themselves unable to hold a position
in West Virginia, General Lee, the ablest officer in Virginia,
marched at the head of 9,000 men against General Reynolds, who was
lying with a considerable force at Cheat Mountain. The attack was
made on the 14th of September, and after several hours' severe fighting

Lee was forced to retreat, leaving 100 dead upon the field. Among the
latter was Colonel John Washington, a recent proprietor of Mount Vernon.
Lee's army halted on the banks of Greenbrier river, and began
to intrench itself. General Reynolds, after receiving reinforcements, set
out on the 2d of October from Cheat Mountain with a force of 5,000
men to drive Lee from his position. Colonel Kimball, with the 14th
Indiana, led the advance, while General Milroy, with a portion of his
brigade, was to deploy to the left, drive in the pickets and force the Confederates
within their intrenchment. At daylight he arrived at Greenbrier
bridge and found it occupied. A charge was made, the bridge
carried, and a crossing effected. Then began an artillery duel which
fairly shook the surrounding mountains. Soon, however, three of Lee's
guns were disabled, and he again retreated. The Federal loss was eight
killed and thirty-two wounded.

Lee left General Johnston, of Georgia, with 2,000 men on the summit
of the Alleghanies and continued his march to Staunton. Milroy
marched against Johnston, taking with him the 13th Indiana and two
other regiments, and on the 15th of December reached Camp Alleghany,
where he found the Confederates strongly fortified. An engagement
took place, the results of which were not advantageous to either side,
the loss being about 130 on both sides. Milroy withdrew and fell back
to Cheat Mountain. This practically put an end to the war in Western
Virginia.

ALONG THE POTOMAC.

After the reverse at Bull Run, it became evident that a war of gigantic
proportions was now in progress. Throughout the North regiments
were equipped and hurried to the seat of war. Recruiting went on
with equal rapidity in the Southern States, so that by the first of
October two of the largest armies ever mustered on the continent were
fronting each other on the banks of the Potomac, and it seemed as if
another was to be added to the list of the great battles of the world.
But such was not to be, for a masterly inactivity seemed to characterize
both.

FIGHT AT BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.

The extreme left of the Confederate line now lay near Leesburg, on the
Potomac. On the 8th of October, Major Gould crossed the river at
Harpers Ferry for the purpose of seizing a quantity of wheat, and when
about to recross, on the 16th, he was attacked by a force of Confederates
on Bolivar Heights, and, at the same time, a battery of artillery opened
fire from Loudon Heights, within cannon range of the Ferry. Then a
cavalry charge was made, but was repulsed by the 13th Massachusetts
regiment, under Colonel Schriber. Major Gould had sent for reinforcements,

and Lieutenant Martin with a battery of artillery now arrived
upon the scene. Unlimbering his guns in the street, he poured such
a destructive fire upon the Heights that the line stationed there began
to waver, and by a bayonet charge on the part of the Federals were
compelled to retreat and leave the field, with a loss of 100 killed and
wounded. A few days later an engagement took place at Balls Bluff, in
which Colonel Baker, a United States ex-senator from Massachusetts,
was killed and the Federal troops defeated with great slaughter.

DRAINSVILLE.

The battle of Drainsville, near Washington, took place on the 20th
of December. It was the first engagement of any importance in which
the army of the Potomac was successful. On the above date General
Ord, with his brigade, advanced toward Drainsville for the purpose of
securing forage for his animals. With him were the Pennsylvania Bucktails,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, brother of E. K. Kane,
the Arctic explorer, and an Eastern battery of light artillery. When
near Drainsville they encountered a force about 6,000 strong. A battle
ensued, which lasted about five hours, and resulted in a complete rout
of the Confederates. Federal loss was sixty-seven, while that of the
Confederates was 240. This, with the exception of a slight engagement
at New Market bridge, near Newport News, was the last fighting in Virginia
during the year 1861.

FORMATION OF THE NEW STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA.

We must now turn aside from the records of war, and notice the rise
of a new commonwealth—the only one ever formed within the territory
of an organized State.

As has been stated, the people of the western portion of Virginia
were opposed to the sessation of the State; this was evidenced by the
vote upon that question, a majority of which in all the western counties
was against it, and in several the negative vote was almost unanimous.
Soon after the election of 1860, the inhabitants of this section
began to express their feelings upon the questions which then agitated
the country.

The first meeting that was held to give expression to the sentiments
of the people, took place in Preston county, on the 12th of November,
1860. Men of all shades of political opinion participated in the proceedings.
Resolutions were adopted opposing sessation, and declaring that
any attempt on the part of the State to sever her connection with the
Union, would meet with the disapproval of the people of that county.

On the 24th of November, a meeting was held in Harrison county,
which declared that they would exhaust all constitutional remedies for
redress, before they would resort to any violent measures; that the ballot-box
was the only medium known to the Constitution for a redress of
grievances, and to that alone would they appeal. The people of Monongalia
county convened at their court house on the 26th of November,
and passed a series of resolutions declaring that the election of the candidates
of the Republican party did not justify sessation, and that the
Union as it was, was the best guarantee of the people's future welfare.
A meeting of the people at the court house of Taylor county, on the 3d
of December following, declared that they were opposed to any action
looking to the dissolution of the Union for existing causes.

The citizens of Ohio county convened in the city of Wheeling on the
14th of the same month and adopted resolutions similar to the foregoing.
In many other western counties meetings of like import and significance
were held.

The Virginia Convention passed the Ordinance of Secession on the
17th of April, 1861, and then began a series of meetings and an expression
of public sentiment, before unparalleled in the history of Virginia.
All united in a solemn protest against the sessation of the State
and asserted that the Union was the object of their undying attachment,
and that they would cling to it, despite the efforts of the East to plunge
them into the gulf of sessation and consequent ruin; that sessation was
only unmitigated treason against the Constitution and the government
of the United States; that Western Virginia, for a half century, had
patiently submitted to the oppression of Eastern Virginia, but that now
the measure of tyranny was full, and that if, as was claimed, sessation
was the only remedy for supposed State wrongs, the day was not far
distant when the West would arise in its majesty, sever all political and
civil relations with the East, organize a new State, and remain firmly
attached to the Union.

A mass meeting of the citizens of Taylor county, held on the 13th of
April, declared that the government of the United States ought to be
maintained, and all constitutional laws enforced; and if the eastern part
of the State should secede from the Union, then they were in favor of
establishing an independent government in the western portion of the
State. Moved by a similar sentiment, the people of Wetzel county, on
the 22d of the same month, resolved that if the State cast her fortunes
with those of the Gulf States, then, as citizens of Western Virginia,
they would deem it a duty to themselves and posterity to use such
measures as would result in a division of the State.

CONVENTION AT CLARKSBURG.

Up to this time all had been independent action on the part of the
several counties, but now a united effort was to be made. On the 22d
of April, 1861, a meeting of twelve hundred citizens, held under the
auspices of John S. Carlisle, the late delegate from Harrison county in
the Richmond convention, met at Clarksburg, and in a long preamble
declared that the means resorted to by the secessionists to transfer the
State from its allegiance to the Federal Government to the so-called
Confederate States, was wholly unjustifiable, and resolved that they
would resist such action to the last extremity. Before adjournment
the convention recommended to the people in each of the counties
composing Western Virginia, to appoint not less than five delegates
of their "wisest, best and discreetest men," to meet in convention at
Wheeling, on the 13th day of May following, "to determine upon
such action as the people of Western Virginia should take in the
present fearful emergency."

THE FIRST WHEELING CONVENTION.

In compliance with the foregoing, the delegates were chosen by the
various counties, and the 13th day of May saw a swarming and excited
multitude thronging the streets of Wheeling. The delegates convened
at Washington Hall at 11 A. M., and the meeting was called to order
by Chester D. Hubbard, of Ohio county, on whose motion William B.
Zinn, of Preston county, was chosen temporary chairman, and George
R. Latham, of Taylor county, was appointed temporary secretary. Rev.
Peter T. Laishley, of Monongalia county, himself a delegate, then invoked
Divine guidance in the deliberations of the convention. A committee
on permanent organization, and also one on credentials, was appointed,
after which the body adjourned to meet at 2 P. M.

Upon reassembling, the committee on permanent organization reported
John W. Moss, of Wood county, for permanent president, and Colonel
Charles B. Waggener, of Mason, Marshall M. Dent, of Monongalia, and
J. G. Chandler, of Ohio county, secretaries. Two door-keepers and a
sergeant-at-arms were then appointed. The committee on credentials
reported accredited delegates from twenty-six counties, as follows. Hancock,
Brooke, Ohio, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Wood, Lewis, Ritchie,
Harrison, Upshur, Gilmer, Wirt, Jackson, Mason, Wetzel, Pleasants,
Barbour, Hampshire, Berkeley, Doddridge, Tyler, Taylor, Roane, Frederick,
and Marshall.

A committee on State and Federal relations was appointed, consisting
of the following named gentlemen: Campbell Tarr, Brooke county; W.
T. Willey, Monongalia; John S. Carlisle, Harrison; J. J. Jackson,
Wood; Charles Hooton, Preston; Daniel Lamb, Ohio, George McC.
Porter, Hancock; Joseph H. Machir, Mason; D. D. Johnson, Tyler;
James Scott, Jackson; G. W. Bier, Wetzel, R. C. Holliday, Marshall;

A. S. Withers, Lewis; E. T. Trayhorn, Wirt; F. H. Pierpont, Marion;
S. Dayton, Barbour; G. S. Senseney, Frederick; J. S. Burdett, Taylor;
A. R. McQuilkin, Berkeley; S. Cochran, Pleasants; J. E. Stump,
Roane; S. Martin, Gilmer; A. B. Rohrbough, Upshur; O. D. Downey,
Hampshire; Mr. Foley, Ritchie.

Everything was now in complete working order. The fact that the
convention was divided upon the subject of immediate action very soon
became apparent from the spirited discussion which characterized the
early days of the session. One party, led by the Hon. John S. Carlisle,
was in favor of an immediate division of the State, and the formation of
a government for the counties represented, all offices to be filled by temporary
appointment. Another party, headed by Hon. W. T. Willey,
declared that this was but an informal meeting of the people, no action
of which could be made binding upon them; that no vote had yet been
taken upon the ordinance of secession, therefore the State of Virginia
still had a government recognized by the Constitution of the United
States; hence any action tending in the direction of a new government
could not be other than revolutionary in its nature. An acrimonious
debate continued throughout the second and third days, and it seemed
that an adjournment would take place before the objects for which the
body had met could be accomplished; but late at night the discussion
was interrupted by the committee on State and Federal relations begging
leave to report. Campbell Tarr, the chairman of said committee, read
the report. It was a skillful production, a blending of all opinions, a
happy mean between spasmodic disruption and authorized resistance. The
first part was a review of the secession movement from its incipiency to
that time. Then followed declarations of loyalty to the Union, which
should continue on the part of the people here represented, despite all
efforts of the east to drag them out of the Union. A recommendation
was made to the people of the various counties, that, in the event
of the ratification of the ordinance of secession, they appoint delegates
on the 4th day of June to meet in a general convention on the 11th of
the same month, at some place to be hereafter designated. A last suggestion
was that a central committee, consisting of nine members, be appointed,
with power to carry into effect the objects of the convention.

The report, after a short discussion, was almost unanimously adopted,
but two votes being recorded against it. The central committee was
then appointed, consisting of John S. Carlisle, James S. Wheat, Chester
D. Hubbard, Francis H. Pierpont, Campbell Tarr, George R. Latham,
Andrew Wilson, L. H. Woodward, and James H. Paxton. Prayer was
then offered, imploring blessings upon the work performed. A thousand
voices united in singing the "Star Spangled Banner," and the convention
adjourned sine die.

THE SECOND WHEELING CONVENTION—THE RESTORED GOVERNMENT.

On the 23d day of May, 1861, the vote was taken on the ordinance
of secession. The result showed the sentiment of the people west of the
Alleghanies. Out of about 44,000 votes polled in the counties now
comprising West Virginia, 40,000 were recorded against secession.
Delegates were elected on the 4th of June, and what is known as the
second Wheeling convention met on the 11th of the same month at
Washington Hall, in that city. Seventy-seven delegates, representing
thirt-yfive counties, were present. The committee on permanent organization
reported the names of Arthur J. Boreman, of Wood county,
for president, and G. L. Cranmer, of Ohio county, for secretary. A
committee consisting of thirteen members was appointed, to report business
to the convention. The members of that committee, the report of
which became the foundation for the new State, were as follows: Carlisle,
of Harrison; Lamb, of Ohio; Pierpont, of Marion; Hagans, of
Preston; Van Winkle, of Wood; Berkshire, of Monongalia; Polsley,
of Mason; Boreman, of Wood; Caldwell, of Marshall; Frost, of Jackson;
Porter, of Hancock; Farnsworth, of Upshur; and Copley, of Wayne.

On the third day they submitted a report entitled "A Declaration of
the People of Virginia, represented in convention at the city of Wheeling,
Thursday, June 13, 1861." Among many other things set forth, it was
declared that "the preservation of the dearest rights and liberties, and
security in person and property, imperatively demand the reorganization
of the government of the commonwealth." * * * "And that the
offices of all who adhere to the said convention [that of Richmond],
whether legislative, executive or judicial, are vacated."

The report was adopted on the 17th, and the convention at once proceeded
to reorganize the government of Virginia.

On the 19th, an ordinance for the reorganization of the State government
was passed, as follows:

"The people of the State of Virginia, by their delegates assembled in
convention at Wheeling, do ordain as follows:

"1. A governor, lieutenant-governor and attorney-general for the
State of Virginia, shall be appointed by this convention to discharge the
duties and exercise the powers which pertain to their respective offices by
the existing laws of the State, and to continue in office for six months,
or until their successors be elected and qualified; and the general assembly
is required to provide by law for an election of governor and lieutenant-governor
by the people as soon as in their judgment such an election
can be properly held." * * * * *

The following oath was prescribed to be taken by the various officers
elected by the convention before entering upon the discharge of the
duties of their respective offices:

"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of

the United States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof, as the supreme
law of the land, anything in the constitution and laws of the State
of Virginia, or in the ordinances of the convention which assembled at
Richmond on the 13th of February, 1861, to the contrary notwithstanding;
and that I will uphold and defend the government of Virginia as
vindicated and restored by the convention which assembled at Wheeling
on the 11th of June, 1861."

In compliance with the first clause of the ordinance, the convention, on
the 20th of June, proceeded to the election of officers. Francis H. Pierpont,
of Marion, was chosen governor of Virginia, and Daniel Polsley,
of Mason, lieutenant-governor. On the 24th, James S. Wheat, of Ohio
county, was chosen attorney-general.

The convention, having thus restored the government, elected a chief
executive and provided for the election of all other officers pertaining to
the State government, adjourned to meet again on the first Tuesday in
August ensuing.

MEETING OF THE PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE.

The third clause of the ordinance passed June the 19th, provided for
the meeting of the General Assembly on the 1st day of July, the members
of which had been duly chosen at the general election on the 23d
day of May, and in pursuance of the ordinance that body convened
at Wheeling on the day appointed. The session was held in the custom-house,
in which the offices of the governor and other State officers
had been located. Upon calling the roll, it was ascertained that there
were thirty-one members present. A speaker and clerk were chosen,
after which the governor's message was received. In it he reviewed,
at considerable length, the action of the Richmond convention, the
history of the movements which led to the reorganization of the State
governments and his own election. He informed the house that he had
entered into a correspondence with the President of the United States,
and informed him of the circumstances surrounding the loyal government
of Virginia, and had received from him, through the secretary
of war, assurances that all constitutional aid would be promptly
rendered.

Accompanying the message were copies of communications received
from the Secretary of the Interior certifying to the apportionment of
representation to which Virginia was entitled in the Thirty-eighth Congress,
according to the census of 1860. The attention of the Assembly
was called to the fact that the President, in a proclamation issued on the
4th inst., had declared vacant the seats of all representatives from Virginia
in the Congress of the United States by reason of their active
participation in the effort to overthrow the Federal government, and
he recommended that the house proceed at once to fill such vacancies by

TOMB OF MARY, MOTHER OF WASHINGTON,

At Fredericksburg, Virginia.

the election of members who should at once apply for seats in the
national Congress as representatives of Virginia under the restored
government.

The General Assembly, on the 9th of July, went into an election, and
on joint ballot elected L. A. Hagans, of Preston county, secretary of
the commonwealth; Samuel Crane, of Randolph, auditor of public
accounts, and Campbell Tarr, of Brooke, treasurer. They then proceeded
to ballot for United States Senators, which resulted in the
election of John S. Carlisle, of Harrison, and W. T. Willey, of Monongalia.
They, together with the representatives from the three congressional
districts west of the mountains, who had been elected at the
same time the members of the General Assembly were chosen, at once
proceeded to Washington, where "they were admitted to seats in the
respective houses as senators and representatives from Virginia." On
the 24th of July, the Assembly, having finished the business before it,
adjourned.

Thus the machinery of the restored government was in complete working
order; but this did not satisfy the people, many of whom had for
years entertained the fond hope that at some time their relations with the
east should be severed, and a new State, independent of Virginia, should
rise west of the Alleghanies. All felt that the auspicious moment had
now come, and it was impressed upon the

THIRD WHEELING CONVENTION,

Which convened on the 6th of August, 1861, that there was but one
duty to perform, and that was to perfect the organization of a new
State.

At this meeting a number of delegates from the Kanawha Valley
counties, who had not attended the second convention, were present,
and took an active part in the labor now to be performed, which was
none other than the partition of the old State and the formation of a
new one.

On the 20th an ordinance was passed, with the following preamble:

"Whereas, it is represented to be the desire of the people inhabiting
the counties hereinafter mentioned, to be separated from this commonwealth,
and to be erected into a separate State, and admitted into the
Union of States, and become a member of the government of the United
States."

The new State was to be called "Kanawha," the boundaries of which
were to include the following counties, viz: Logan, Wyoming, Raleigh,
Fayette, Nicholas, Webster, Randolph, Tucker, Preston, Monongalia,
Marion, Taylor, Barbour, Upshur, Harrison, Lewis, Braxton, Clay,
Kanawha, Boone, Wayne, Cabell, Putnam, Mason, Jackson, Roane,

Calhoun, Wirt, Gilmer, Ritchie, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Doddridge,
Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke and Hancock.

It was also provided that the boundaries might be so changed as to
include within the boundaries of the proposed State the counties of
Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Hampshire, Hardy, Morgan, Berkeley, and
Jefferson, or either of them, or any other contiguous counties, in case
a majority of the votes cast at an election to be held for the purpose,
should declare their wish to become a part of the new State; and at
the same time elect delegates to the proposed constitutional convention,
which was to meet at Wheeling on the 26th of November, should a
majority of the votes cast at an election to be held on the fourth Thursday
in October be in favor of the formation of the new State. The convention,
after submitting the question of the organization of the State
to the people, adjourned on the 21st of August.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

The October election was held in nearly every county of the proposed
State; 19,189 votes were polled, of which 18,408 were in favor of the
new State, and 781 against it.

Delegates to the constitutional convention were chosen at the same
time, and on the 26th of November, 1861, that body convened in the
Federal court room at Wheeling, all the counties then within the limits
of the proposed State being represented except Jefferson, Berkeley,
Webster and Monroe. The session continued eighty-two days, during
which time a constitution was framed and submitted to the people, to
be voted upon on the 3d day of April, 1862. The convention adjourned
on the 18th of February.

The constitution thus submitted was voted upon, on the day appointed,
and resulted in its adoption by a vote of 18,862 for it, and 514 against
it. By the census of 1860 it will be seen that the counties voting had
a population of 334,921 whites, and 12,771 colored. The reader will
have noticed the decrease in the number of votes polled at the above
election, from that polled at the time of the vote polled upon the ordinance
of secession, which was more than 54,000; but we must remember
that up to this time 10,000 men from Western Virginia were enrolled
in the Federal army, and several thousand had gone South, and
were fighting the battles of the Confederacy. Hence the difference in
the number of votes polled at the two elections.

THE NEW CONSTITUTION—THE WORK COMPLETED.

The General Assembly of the reorganized government convened on
the 6th of May, 1862, and gave its formal assent to the formation of
the new State of West Virginia within the territory of the State of Virginia,

according to the provisions of the constitution, recently ratified
by the people. A memorial, together with the bill granting assent to
the erection of the State, and a copy of the donstitution, was transmitted
to Congress, praying for the admission of West Virginia into the
Union. Senators Carlisle and Willey presented the bill in the United
States Senate on the 27th of May, 1862. No action was taken until
December 31st, following, when it was again taken up and passed by
both houses with the understanding that "West Virginia was and should
be one of the members of the Federal Union" whenever she struck out
from her constitution the seventh section, known as the Battelle provision
for the gradual extinction of slavery within the State. On the
12th day of February, 1863, the convention reassembled and amended
the constitution according to the requirements of Congress; submitted it
to a vote of the people, who a second time ratified it by a majority of
about 17,000. The result was certified to President Lincoln, and on the
19th of April he issued his proclamation to the effect that after sixty
days "West Virginia should be one of the United States of America;
admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States in
all respects whatever."

The convention, before adjourning in February, provided that in case
the revised constitution should be ratified, an election should be held on
the fourth Thursday of May following, for the purpose of electing members
of both houses of the Legislature, a Governor, and other State officers,
Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals, etc.

The election was held at the appointed time. Hon. Arthur I. Boreman,
of Wood county, was chosen Governor, and thus became the first
chief executive of West Virginia; Samuel Crane, of Randolph was elected
Auditor; Campbell Tarr, of Brooke, Treasurer; J. Edgar Boyers, of
Tyler, Secretary of State, and A. Bolton Caldwell, of Ohio, Attorney-General.
Hons. Ralph L. Berkshire, of Monongalia, William A. Harrison,
of Harrison, and James H. Brown, of Kanawha, were elected
Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals.

When, therefore, the sixty days after the President's proclamation had
elapsed, on the 20th of June, 1863, West Virginia, "the daughter of
the rebellion," born amid the throes of civil war, entered upon her
career as one of the members of the Sisterhood of States.

THE RECORD OF WAR AGAIN.

We have seen West Virginia—the daughter, become "the adopted
child of the Republic," and we must now return to Virginia, the mother,
whom we left at the close of the year 1861, amid all the horrors of a
sanguinary war.

1862.

During the early months of this year but few military movements
occurred in Virginia. The first action of the year occurred at Huntsville,
in Nicholas county, January 3d, whither General Milroy had sent
Major Webster, with a force of seven hundred and thirty-eight men, to
destroy a quantity of Confederate stores known to be deposited at that
place. The work was successfully performed, six buildings filled with
provisions being burned.

On the 4th, General Jackson, stationed at Winchester, in the Shenandoah
Valley, made a dash toward the Potomac for the purpose of tearing
up the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The Federals were driven north of
the river, and Jackson, after destroying several miles of the road, fell
back toward the valley.

An engagement took place on the 7th between a portion of General
Kelly's forces lying at Romney, in Hampshire county, and a body of
Confederates at Blues Gap. Colonel Dunning, with the 5th Ohio, won
the day. The loss on either side was slight.

THE CAPITAL OF VIRGINIA BECOMES THE CAPITAL OF THE
CONFEDERACY.

In the meantime the seat of government of the Confederacy had been
transferred from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond; and here, on the
22d day of February—Washington's birthday—Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi,
and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, having been unanimously
chosen President and Vice-President, respectively, by the votes
of the convention of every Southern State, were duly inaugurated for the
term of six years. The oath of office was administered to the President
by the Hon. J. D. Halyburton, chief Confederate Judge, and to Alexander
H. Stephens by the President of the Confederate Senate. On
the next day President Davis sent to the Senate for confirmation, a list
of cabinet appointments, as follows: Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin,
of Louisiana; Secretary of War, George W. Randolph, of Virginia;
Secretary of the Navy, S. R. Mallory; Secretary of the Treasury,
C. G. Memminger, of South Carolina; Postmaster-General, Mr. Henry,
of Kentucky; Attorney-General, Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia;
all of which were speedily confirmed. Thus, on the soil of Virginia,
was located the capital of the then existing Southern Republic. The
city thus occupied had been the seat of government of Virginia for a
period of eighty-five years, the State troops, arms and ammunition, and
public records having been removed from Williamsburg to that place in
1777, to prevent their falling into the possession of the British army,
then ravaging Virginia. In May, 1779, the Assembly passed an act
making it the permanent capital of the State. It was called Richmond

because of the fancied resemblance of its location to that of Richmond-on-the-Thames,
in England.

Six days after the inauguration ceremonies, on the 1st of March, the
right wing of the army of the Potomac, commanded by General Banks,
crossed the river, advanced into Virginia, and occupied Bolivar, Charlestown
and Martinsburg. This was the first movement of a series in which
the Federal armies were intended to approach Richmond and attack its
defenses. Banks continued his march in the direction of Winchester,
where Stonewall Jackson was posted with a considerable force.

On the 11th of March the Confederates evacuated Manassas and fell
back beyond the Rappahannock, and the Federals at once took possession
of the abandoned position. It was expected that Banks would
drive Jackson toward Richmond, and that the army at Manassas would
cut off his retreat, and thus capture his entire force; but instead the
wily Jackson retreated up the Valley, closely pursued by Banks. At
Strasburg he halted and took a strong position at New Market, within
supporting distance of Johnston.

BATTLE OF WINCHESTER.

Banks now fell back to Winchester, and was in turn pursued by
Jackson. Here, on the 22d of March, was fought one of the most
fiercely contested battles of the war. Both armies exhibited the most
determined bravery. The 5th Ohio had five color-bearers killed. The
battle waged until nightfall, when the Confederates withdrew, leaving
the field in possession of their enemies. The loss on both sides has been
variously estimated at from 900 to 1300, of which the greater part was
that of the Confederates.

During the night Jackson received a reinforcement of five regiments
of infantry and two batteries of artillery. With his forces thus augmented,
he determined to risk another battle, and accordingly formed
his lines near the village of Kernstown. Early on the morning of the
23d, Banks sent forward General Tyler's brigade to open the action.
He was supported by two other brigades of Ohio and Michigan troops,
all of which soon became engaged. Here again were re-enacted the
scenes of the previous day. The result was similar. The Federals were
again victorious, completely routing the forces of Jackson, who now retreated
rapidly towards Staunton.

OPERATIONS ON THE PENINSULA.

After the evacuation of Manassas by the Confederates, they took
position near Yorktown on the peninsula, and erected the strongest
fortifications yet built in the New World. The early part of April saw

the Federal army, 100,000 strong, anchored off Fortress Monroe, and
McClellan found that the fortifications extended entirely across the
peninsula, from the York to the James river, and he at once concluded
that one of two things was certain; here the Confederates could be
cooped up on the peninsula, and be compelled to surrender, or they
must evacuate the stronghold, and take refuge behind their batteries at
Richmond. The forces were landed, and after an examination of the
works, McClellan was confident that with his artillery—a thousand
pieces—he should be able to level these works. He had seen the telling
effects of artillery upon similar ones at Sebastopol during the Crimean
war. General Robert E. Lee, of Virginia, the ablest leader of the
Southern armies, knew the same, and at once recommended to the
government the evacuation of the peninsula. Accordingly on the 3d
of May the whole Confederate army, numbering 70,000 men, marched
out on the road to Richmond, and left these works, as they had left
those of Manassas, in possession of their enemies. A rapid pursuit was
at once begun, and, on the 4th, General Stoneman's command came up
with the rear of the retreating army at Williamsburg, about fifty-eight
miles from Richmond. Here the Confederates made a stand, and, with
the pertinacity of veterans, disputed the Federal advance. It was the
5th of May, at seven o'clock in the morning, when the battle began,
and it raged until late in the evening, when Lee's forces were again
compelled to continue their march toward their capital, leaving 700
dead on the field. The loss of the Federals was 1100.

On the next day a bloody engagement occurred at West Point, on
the York river, between the forces of General Franklin and a body of
Confederates under General Magruder. After a spirited contest of three
hours, victory again declared in favor of the Federals, their loss being
80 killed, 300 wounded, and 500 taken prisoners. The loss on the
other side was about 900.

McClellan continued his march toward Richmond; at the same time a
feet of gunboats entered the Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of cooperating
with the land forces in the attack upon the Confederate capital.
On the 15th of May the fleet steamed up the James within eight
miles of Richmond, where the guns of Fort Darling opened fire, and
the Federals met their first reverse before Richmond. After a splendid
artillery fight of five hours the gunboats were compelled to withdraw
down the river to their former anchorage. This did not delay for a
moment the progress of the land forces, and on the 20th of May, McClellan
occupied a position within eight miles of Richmond.

In the meantime General Banks had again marched into the Shenandoah
Valley, where he was opposed by a force of about 25,000 men under
Generals Early and Jackson. For weeks the possession of the "Garden
of Virginia" was disputed by the contending armies; but on the
25th of May, Banks was attacked, defeated at Winchester, and forced

to abandon the valley. His retreating columns were closely pursued
to Williamsport, where they crossed the Potomac and took refuge in
Maryland.