An Encyclopedia of Early Civil War Virginia
The following is a comprehensive chronology of the important events leading up to the Action at Philippi, June 3, 1861. It begins at the initial secession vote at the Virginia Convention in Richmond, April 17, 1861, and covers 47 days, although not every day is represented. These days were filled with military and political intrigue…
Continue reading ➞ Events Leading up to the Action at Philippi
Union forces captured several flags at Philippi on June 3, 1861, but accounts vary regarding how many were taken, who they belonged to, what they looked like, and where they are now. One often-overlooked flag belonged to the Bath Cavalry, also known as the Bath Grays, a company raised in the mountainous region of Bath…
While several early skirmishes and clashes claim the title of first land battle of the Civil War, only one engagement truly meets all the criteria of a traditional battle—discover which one and why it stands apart. The claim of being the site of the first land battle of the American Civil War presents a study…
Continue reading ➞ What was the First Land Battle of the Civil War?
Stories of Appalachia is an interesting podcast started in 2015. Hosts Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins discuss a variety of topics, including history and folklore from across the Eastern United States Appalachian region. A few weeks ago, they posted an episode about the Battle of Philippi. The action took place on June 3, 1861 and…
Continue reading ➞ Stories of Appalachia: Philippi, West Virginia
Following the Union occupation of Philippi, Virginia in early June 1861, a black soldier was accused of shooting down an elderly man in cold blood. Who was he, and how did he end up in the Union army so early in the war? A few days ago, we wrote about James Humbles, a freeman of…
Trick question -- none of the Virginia militia at Philippi on June 3, 1861 had been sworn into Confederate service. Technicalities aside, the issue of what units were involved in the "Philippi Races," among the first land actions of the Civil War, is not just a matter of trivia. Most authors, however, only name units…
The “Battle” of Philippi was fought on Monday, June 3, 1861 between Union forces commanded by Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Morris and Confederate forces commanded by Col. George A. Porterfield in Philippi, Virginia during the American Civil War. The engagement, which was the first land action of the Civil War in Virginia, was a Union…
Spirit of '61 