Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865

For more than three years Theodore F. Lang was immersed in the tumultuous events that forged West Virginia's creation as America's 35th state on June 20, 1863. In this first-ever reprint of a Civil War classic, Lang ably describes those events and personalities responsible for West Virginia's formation - from the initial outcry of opposition to Virginia's 1861 secession ordinance, to organization of a separate provisional government and statehood midway through the conflict. His primary attention, however, focuses on military operations involving West Virginia and its soldiers who remained loyal to the Union, a subject he believed was (and remains) greatly neglected. In addition to his experiences as a combat and staff officer, Lang details successes and failures of military leaders serving in the state or under West Virginia banners on bloody battlefields in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Skirmishes and bitter fighting at such places as Philippi, Rich Mountain, Moorefield, Harpers Ferry and Droop Mountain share equally with West Virginians' participation in major battles at 2nd Manassas, Antietam, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, the Shenandoah Valley and Appomattox. Soldiers from the Mountain State battled "Stonewall" Jackson at Cross Keys, helped repel a Confederate assault at Gettysburg, tangled with Jubal Early at Winchester and Cedar Creek, and smashed through Rebel resistance under George A. Custer at Five Forks.

Histories of every West Virginia military organization with complete officer rosters are supplemented by 63 photo portraits, greatly enhancing Lang's very rare, original 1895 edition.

Hardcover with dust jacket, 450 total pages, 63 photos, regimental index. ISBN 1-885033-19-2.

Price $40 (Very Low Stock Remaining)

Medal of Honor Recipients

Both of these officers, serving in the First West Virginia Cavalry, earned the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. Major Charles E. Capehart commanded the regiment on July 4, 1863, leading it in pursuit of retreating Confederates following the battle of Gettysburg. That day a Confederate wagon train was encountered near Monterey, Pennsylvania, and Capehart reported to General George A. Custer, whose brigade was skirmishing with the train's guards. Custer ordered Capehart to charge the wagons and capture them if possible. By the time the major and his regiment were ready, night had fallen and it was raining heavily. Capehart recalled: "With a whoop and yell, the regiment dashed down upon the train. The night was one of inky darkness; nothing was discernible a half dozen paces ahead. As the advance came up to the train, they received a heavy volley of musketry, which at once showed the exact position of the enemy. Onward [we] dashed, and a hand-to-hand conflict ensued. The scene was wild and desolating. The road lay down a mountain side, wild and rugged. On either side of the road was a heavy growth of underbrush, which the enemy had taken as a fit place to conceal themselves and fire from upon us. The road was interspersed with wagons and ambulances for a distance of 8 miles, and the whole train was taken - 300 wagons, 15 ambulances, together with all the horses and mules attached. The number of prisoners taken was 1,300, including 200 commissioned officers."

Twenty-one months later the First West Virginia belonged to Custer's cavalry division. At Five Forks, Virginia, on April 1, 1865, Custer's troopers attacked the Rebel right flank. First West Virginia second lieutenant Wilmon W. Blackmar, Company H, displayed extraordinary courage in the assault's leading wave. According to author Theodore F. Lang, Blackmar "was promoted by Custer on the field for brilliant personal daring; during the entire engagement he rode in the front rank in the thickest of the fight, and without a superior for ability."

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