This bibliography consists of citations for readily accessible works published in and The steady activity of research, writing, and publishing is indicative of a strong and abiding interest in the heritage of West Virginia and its people. If you are aware of significant books or articles about West Virginians that are not listed here, please bring them to my attention.
CIVIL WAR BOOKS - (AUTHORS H-J)
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CIVIL WAR BOOKS (AUTHORS H-J)
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. A Journal of Regional Studies. Recent Publications Harold M. Forbes West Virginia History: Sheridan's two cavalry divisions were responsible for eliminating Confederate General Jubal Early 's Army of the Valley from the war, and also played an important part in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E.
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Lee 's Army of Northern Virginia. Although Virginia seceded from the union and joined the Confederate States of America , many people in the northwestern portion of the state preferred to remain loyal to the United States. The first new cavalry regiment formed from this loyal region was originally known as the 1st Virginia Cavalry, and was sometimes noted as a loyal to the union regiment to differentiate it from the 1st Virginia Cavalry that was a rebel force for the Confederacy.
Pennsylvania and Ohio were also sources for recruits. A total of 14 companies fought as part of the regiment. One company consisted mostly of men who spoke German. Anisansel was a former lieutenant in the Ringgold Cavalry. The regiment's first action is listed as the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, Although the regiment became West Virginia's "most active, and one of the most effective," it did not begin well.
Lander brought court martial charges against Anisansel for "failing to obey an order to charge the enemy" at Bloomery Gap. He was succeeded by Richmond, his second-in-command. On May 3, , an man detachment of the regiment was surprise attacked by the notorious guerilla warfare leader Major John S. Mosby and his Mosby's Rangers. They were rescued by the 5th New York Cavalry , but had 17 men killed or wounded, including Major Josiah Steele—who died about one month later from his wounds. Richmond was reinstated as regimental commander on June Their destination was Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Farnsworth was assigned command of the 1st Brigade. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer was assigned command of the 2nd brigade. Farnsworth's 1st Brigade counter-attacked, and with the help of Custer's 2nd Brigade drove off the Confederate cavalry. The 1st West Virginia had 2 killed, 5 wounded, and 18 men taken prisoner. The Battle of Gettysburg began on the next day, lasting from July 1 through July 3. Over , men both sides combined fought in this battle, and casualties are estimated to be around 51, Farnsworth's brigade did not encounter any enemy forces for the first two days July 1 and 2 of the battle.
Late in the afternoon on the third day of the battle, Kilpatrick ordered Farnsworth to make a mounted charge against a Confederate infantry position that was fortified and near ground difficult for horses. The West Virginians became nearly surrounded by the 1st Texas Infantry and had to retreat to safety using their sabers. They took some prisoners and suffered casualties of five killed and four wounded.
Farnsworth led a second group of men in another charge and took significant casualties—and Farnsworth was killed. Capehart assumed command of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. After the third day of fighting at Gettysburg, armies on both sides were exhausted. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia prepared to leave during the rainy night and return to the relative safety of Virginia.
Their trip back would involve traveling through mountains to cross the Potomac River at Williamsport, Maryland. Imboden led a wagon train carrying wounded men on a northwest route, which was safer and easier to follow. Kilpatrick's division, which was reinforced with cavalry stationed at Emmitsburg, Maryland , pursued Lee's retreating army. Late at night high in the mountains, near Monterey Pass , a dismounted advance guard company from Custer's 2nd Brigade confronted a small group of rebels guarding the pass.
The rebels, using only one piece of artillery, prevented Custer's men from entering the pass while a wagon train belonging to Confederate General Richard S. Ewell moved from the north into the pass. In pouring rain and total darkness, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry charged down the mountain, capturing the Confederate artillery piece and an entire wagon train in hand-to-hand combat. A total of officers and 1, men were captured. Casualties for the 1st West Virginia were only 2 killed and 2 wounded. For the last half of July, the regiment fought in some minor skirmishes, and eventually reported to Stafford, Virginia , near Fredericksburg.
Henry Capehart, the regiment's surgeon and brother of Charles Capehart , was familiar with the territory, and provided valuable assistance to Davies in strategy and fighting—in addition to navigating the terrain. Beginning in December, the regiment became part of the Department of West Virginia, but was unassigned.
They stayed at Camp Willey on Wheeling Island for a few days before going to their homes for a 30 day furlough. About men re-enlisted. The local newspaper called them "The Heroes of 70 Engagements". They patrolled West Virginia for the next six weeks, but did not see any significant action. They participated in General William W. Averell was eventually able to destroy 26 bridges and portions of railroad track near Dublin Newbern on old maps , Virginia.
The division returned to its base in West Virginia on May On May 22, the regiment was fording the Greenbrier River just upriver from a waterfall. Their objective was to eliminate some Confederate sharpshooters that were harassing the cavalry. Colonel Henry Capehart stationed himself between the falls and the crossing. His standard procedure was to position himself down river at crossings, which would enable him to rescue men having trouble crossing the water.
He was an expert rider and had a horse that was a good swimmer. In this circumstance, a private from Company B was swept out of his saddle while attempting to cross a swollen river with a swift current.
Not only was the private swept over the falls, but Capehart and his horse were too. Capehart was able to rescue the private while both were being shot at by enemy sharpshooters. His citation read "Saved, under fire, the life of a drowning soldier. During early June, various Union forces met in Stanton, Virginia , and were resupplied.
The infantry was led by General George Crook. General David Hunter was the commander of the entire cavalry and infantry force.
Colonels in Blue—Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia
The force arrived in Lexington on June 11, and occupied the town for several days. During this time, Confederate reinforcements were arriving at Lynchburg. On June 16, the entire Union force left Liberty and approached Lynchburg from the southwest. The Battle of Lynchburg was fought on June 17 and Approximately 44, soldiers participated in this Confederate victory.
The force reached Charleston on July 1. Losses for Hunter's entire army totaled to men. Their destination was the rail station at Martinsburg. Hunter commanded this army while Averell commanded its Second Cavalry Division. Powell commanded the 2nd Brigade of the Second Division. He also had another 1, infantrymen. Averell's casualties were about After Averell's victory at Rutherford's Farm, he was joined by another cavalry division and infantry. Crook commanded the entire force. Both cavalry divisions sent men on scouts to find Early's army.
Crook believed that most of Early's army had left the valley to defend the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia. He did not believe the reports of Averell and General Alfred N. On July 24, Averell was ordered to conduct a flanking maneuver near Front Royal to cut off what Crook believed was a small band of Confederates. Averell encountered a much larger enemy force than he was led to expect, and the Second Battle of Kernstown began. As portions of Crook's force began retreating some in panic north through Winchester, he finally understood the situation.
Hayes future President of the United States were among the few organized units remaining. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry lost a total of 28 men killed, wounded, missing, or captured. The regiment was part of Averell's cavalry force that pursued Confederate Generals McCausland and Bradley Johnson after the rebels burned the Pennsylvania community of Chambersburg. In a surprise attack at dawn on August 6, , Averell captured over Confederates.
After the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry charged across the South Branch of the Potomac River and met strong resistance from the Confederate 17th Virginia Cavalry , they were reinforced by the 1st West Virginia—and the two regiments overwhelmed the Confederates. Sheridan assumed command of all Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley on August 7.
Union casualties were about 5, out of 40, men, while Confederate casualties were about 3, out of 12, men. Generals and colonels on both sides were killed, including Confederate Colonel George S. Confederate General Robert E. Rodes was killed, and Confederate cavalry generals Fitzhugh Lee and Bradley Johnson were among the wounded. About the Book This biographical dictionary catalogs the Union army colonels who commanded regiments from Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
About the Author Roger D. March 25, 2o11 Price: The book reviewed here was received gratis by the reviewer. Brett has written intriguing articles. Cancel reply Leave a Comment. News from Carolina Next post: Subscribe in a reader!