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Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865, by Theodore Lang, 1895; pages 236-243.

The First West Virginia in the Three Years' Service

DATE OF COMMISSION
NAMES AND RANK
 CO. 
REMARKS
COLONEL.
Oct. 30, 1861.Joseph Thoburn, Killed in action at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Nov. 2, 1861.Henry B. Hubbard, Discharged on Surgeon's certificate of disability, Oct. 3, 1862.
Dec. 4, 1861.Jacob Weddle,  
MAJORS.
Nov. 2, 1861.Isaac Hardin Duval, Promoted to Col. 9th W. Va. Inft. Sept. 9, 1862.
Dec. 4, 1862.Jacob Weddle, Promoted from Capt. Co. A. Promoted to Lt. Col.
Dec. 4, 1862.Edward W. Stephens, Promoted from Capt., Co. F. Mustered out
at expiration of term of service.
1ST LIEUT. and ADJ'T.
Nov. 13, 1861.James McElroy, Promoted to Captain, Co. D.
Sep. 23, 1862.Henry J. Johnson, Vice McElroy, promoted. Retained in service
by order Sec'y of War, and transferred to
2d W. Va. Veteran Infantry.
1ST LIEUT. and R. Q. M.
Nov. 13, 1861.Wm. T. Singleton. Promoted to Captain and C. S.
July 4, 1864.Lucian Gray. Vice Singleton, promoted.
SURGEON.
Oct. 29, 1861.David Baguley. Mustered out at expiration of term of service.
ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
Jan. 19, 1863.A. W. D. Kraft, Discharged March 19, 1863.
Oct. 30, 1861.S. B. Stidger Resigned July 10, 1862.
July 8, 1862.James L. Gillespie, Vice Stidger. Resigned Nov 18, 1862.
Feb. 27, 1863.John English, Vice Gillespie, resigned.
CHAPLAINS.
Feb. 19, 1863.Gordon Battelle, Died of disease.
Feb. 4, 1863.William R. Howe, Vice Battelle, deceased. Mustered out at
expiration of term of service.
CAPTAINS.
Oct. 3, 1861.Jacob Weddle,APromoted to Major, Oct. 3, 1862.
Nov. 25, 1862.William J. Robb,APromoted from 1st Lieut. Mustered out
at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 26, 1861.James C. White,BResigned Jan. 16, 1863.
Feb. 19, 1863.George W. White,BVice J. C. White, resigned.
Oct. 21, 1861.William Milhouse,CDischarged for disability Oct. 13, 1862.
Nov. 25, 1862.William H. Orr,CMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 5, 1861.James F. Donnelly,DDied at Cumberland, Md., Jan. 1862.
Oct. 6, 1862.John S. McDonald,DResigned.
Nov. 25, 1862.James McElroy,DMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 20, 1861.Wm. Morgan,EResigned Aug. 16, 1862.
Nov. 25, 1862.John Craig,EMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 1, 1861.Edward W. Stephens,FPromoted to Major.
Feb. 4, 1863.James E. Morrow,FMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 5, 1861.Oscar F. Melvin,GMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.James M. Bowers,HResigned July 28, 1862.
Sep. 10, 1862.Thomas Reed,HMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.John B. Trimble,IResigned.
Aug. 25, 1862.John W. Dougherty,IDied at Annapolis, Md., 1864.
Dec. 11, 1861.Richard Radcliff,KMustered out at expiration of term of service.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Oct. 3, 1861.William B. Kelley,AMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 26, 1861.James McElroy,BPromoted to Captain, Co. D, Jany. 16, 1863.
Nov. 20, 1861.John W. Dougherty,BPromoted to Captain, Company I.
Feb. 19, 1863.Thomas H. McKee,BMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Oct. 21, 1861.William H. Orr,CPromoted to Captain.
Nov. 25, 1862.James W. Singleton,CMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 5, 1861.John S. McDonald,DPromoted to Captain.
Feb. 6, 1862.James Wilson,DResigned.
Oct. 8, 1862.Martin B. Helms,DMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 20, 1861.John F. Baer,EResigned February 28, 1862.
Nov. 1, 1861.Charles A. Freeman,EMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Dec. 17, 1861.Thayer Melvin,FAppointed A. A. General.
Nov. 24, 1861.John W. White,FResigned January 24, 1863.
Feb. 25, 1863.Theodore L. Apple,FMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 5, 1861.Thomas Lloyd,GMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.Thomas Reed,HPromoted to Captain.
Sep. 24, 1862.Henry H. Hornbrook,HMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 22, 1861.John W. Dougherty,IPromoted to Captain.
Nov. 6, 1861.George James,IMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Dec. 11, 1861.James A. Lewis,KMustered out at expiration of term of service.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Oct. 3, 1861.John Barnes,AKilled in action at Port Republic, June 9, 1862.
July 8, 1862.Thomas M. Simpson,AMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 24, 1862.Thos. H. McKee,BPromoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Feb. 19, 1863.John F. Ryan,BMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.James W. Singleton,CTransferred to Company I.
July 8, 1862.Robert W. Vance,CResigned February 2, 1863.
Feb. 25, 1863.Joseph B. Gordon,C 
Oct. 21, 1861.Burgess StewartCResigned July 1, 1863.
Nov. 5, 1861.Wm. D. Logsden,DResigned January 1, 1862.
Jan. 23, 1862.James Wilson,DPromoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Feb. 6, 1862.James C. Connelly,DDishonorably discharged Jan. 20, 1863.
Nov. 5, 1861.Chester B. Hall,DMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 20, 1861.John Craig,EPromoted to Captain.
March 10, 1862.James E. Morrow,EPromoted to Captain.
Nov. 25, 1862.John F. Baird,EMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 1, 1861.John W. White,FPromoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Feb. 25, 1863.James L. Steel,FMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 5, 1861.Chester B. Hall,GTransferred to Company D.
Dec. 18, 1861.William J. Robb,GTransferred to Company A.
Aug. 25, 1862.Joseph O. Adams,GMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.Henry H. Hornbrook,HPromoted to 1st Lieutenant.
April 11, 1864.William S. Murphy,HMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Nov. 6, 1861.James W. Singleton,IPromoted to 1st Lieutenant, Company C.
Nov. 25, 1862.James M. Goudy,IMustered out at expiration of term of service.
Dec. 11, 1861.David Morgan,KResigned February 1, 1862.
March 17, 1862.Henry K. Weeden,KDismissed March 7, 1864.
April 11, 1864.John W. Plattenburg,KMustered out at expiration of term of service.

     Immediately after the three months men were discharged, on August 30, Dr. Joseph Thoburn, the former surgeon of the regiment, received the appointment of colonel for the purpose of reorganizing the regiment, which event was consummated about October 30, 1861. The regiment began its career in the three years' service by four companies being sent to the Little Kanawha, Wirt County, Virginia, to suppress insurrection and dispel a band of marauders known as moccasin rangers, who were devastating the country in the oil region about November 12, where they became a part of the command of General Kelley who was then occupying this advance position as a part of the defense line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Here, again, that wonderful history of which much has been written, but of which there remains much that never shall be told, was enacted. From the beginning of Kelley's first command at Romney to the close of the last scenes of the war at Appomattox, a part of this regiment participated in every engagement fought in the valley or the great campaigns which became a part of the history of the war, other than the army of the Potomac.
     A short summary may give a faint idea of what the service of this regiment was. From Romney, in the winter of 1861 and 1862, to Patterson's Creek, where General Lander assumed the command of that grand division of men afterward known as Shields' Division, thrown together as a distinctive army; afterwards to Paw Paw Tunnel, where the lamented Lander died and then by the coming of General Shields, they began to weave history which stretched onward, covering the first battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, where Stonewall Jackson was routed and driven from the field.
     On June 9, at Port Republic, the troops of this division won for themselves an imperishable name. No battle of the war has crowded into it so much heroism and gallantry on the field, where our forces were greatly outnumbered. Our 3000 accomplished on that field that wonderful defense which the Confederates claim was the result of 10,000 men present. In July 1862, the regiment went with a part of the divisions to join that of General Rickets, a part of McDowell's corps, Army of Virginia, in which command it participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap and the second battle of Bull Run, August 29 and 30.
     At the close of the Bull Run campaign, the regiment was assigned to duty in the defense of Washington, being stationed at Arlington Heights. At this time it is worthy of note to say that the regiment came out of the second battle of Bull Run without a commissioned officer on duty. Sergeant Major Johnson commanded the regiment and marched it from Fairfax Station to Arlington Heights.
     In October, 1862, the regiment was transferred from the defense of Washington to the Department of West Virginia, where they assisted in opening the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to Harper's Ferry, and took post at North Mountain, being assigned to the Second Brigade of the First Division of the Eighth Army Corps. During the summer of 1863, they participated in the campaigns of that department, making many long and difficult marches, co-operating with the forces on the flank of Meade's army, during the Gettisburg campaign, taking post in August at Petersburg, West Virginia. On September the 11, at Moorefield, five companies of the regiment were captured by the Confederate forces under McNeill, with a part of Imboden's command. These five companies were taken to Richmond, a portion of the men being exchanged during the winter of 1863-64, but the eight officers there captured, excepting Captain Reed, Company H, were held prisoners of war until the close of the Rebellion.
     The winter of 1863-64 was memorable in the regiment's history for the service rendered in the defense of the line of railroad, in resisting Confederate raids and preventing destruction of property. On the 25th of February, 1864, the regiment was sent to Wheeling on veteran furlough, and on the 1st of April it again entered active service, joining Sullivan's command at Webster, West Virginia, where it was attached to the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel Thoburn. In May, 1864, it participated in Sigel's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, taking part in the battles of New Market, May 14 and 15, and continuing in the same organization during the campaign of General Hunter, bearing an honorable part in the battles of Piedmont, June 5, and Lynchburg, June 17 and 18, retreating from Lynchburg to the Kanawha Valley.
     In July and August it participated in the campaigns of General Crook against the Confederate General Early, in the Shenandoah Valley, and took part in the battle of Snicker's Ferry, July 18, and Winchester, July 24. In the months of August, September and October, it formed a part of the Army of West Virginia, in General Sheridan's department, and was actively engaged at Cedar Creek, August 12; at Berryville, September3; at Charlestown, August 22 and at Halltown, August 26; at the battle of Opequon, September 19; Fisher's Hill, September 23, and Cedar Creek, October 19.
     In this last engagement, Colonel Thoburn was killed, he being then in command of the First Division of the Army of West Virginia. On October 29, the regiment was sent to Cumberland, Maryland, where the three years' men not veteranizing were mustered out and the veterans were consolidated with part of the Fourth West Virginia Infantry, forming the Second Regiment of West Virginia Veteran Volunteers. In reviewing the history of this regiment, the field and staff, as composed at its organization, was Joseph Thoburn, colonel; Henry B. Hubbard, lieutenant-colonel, discharged on account of wounds, October 23, 1862; Isaac H. Duval, major, promoted to colonel of the Ninth Virginia Infantry, September 9, 1862; Jacob Weddel, major, November 1862, also lieutenant-colonel, December 4, 1862; E. W. Stevens, major, December 4, 1862; James McElroy was the first adjutant of the regiment, November 13, 1861. He was succeeded by John W. Dougherty. Dougherty and McElroy both succeeding to captaincies in the regiment, Henry J. Johnson became adjutant, September 23, 1862. W. T. Singleton was the quartermaster, Dr. David Bagley, surgeon, and the following named persons were assistant surgeons at different dates: A. W. D. Kraft, S. B. Stidger, James L. Gillespie, John English. Revs. Gordon Battelle and Wm. R. Howe served the regiment as chaplains.
     The many changes which occurred in the line officers of the regiment would require too much space in this short article. Suffice it is to say that when the regiment closed its three years' term of service, not a single captain of the original ten was mustered out with his company. Most of the companies were commanded by men who either started as lieutenants, or had been promoted from the ranks.

     Some of the Names Worthy To Be Mentioned As Connected
With The Regiment.

Col. Benjamin F. Kelley

     Col. Benjamin F. Kelley was the first colonel. Mention being made of his service and wounds, we have here to add that he was nominated by President Lincoln to be a brigadier-general of volunteers at the same time at which General Grant and a number of others who became illustrious in the War of the Rebellion were named for like positions. General Kelley was confirmed by the Senate and as a brigadier-general he commanded many important armies during the progress of the war. He was the only brigadier-general that ever commanded a department as such, through the entire war, notably the Department of West Virginia in the summer of 1864. He was brevetted major-general and leaves a record for fidelity and devotion to the cause of the Union, sharing in the establishment of a new State-West Virginia. He now sleeps among more than 14,000 of his comrades at Arlington, where future citizens shall view his resting place and talk of his lift service in the cause of liberty.

Col. Joseph Thoburn

     But few names in the annals of was have clustered around them memories so strange and inexplainable as that of this gallant and loyal son of Virginia. He was on many battlefields, a leader worthy of his star, but facts over which political destinies seemed to hang, had kept from him the well-earned distinction of general, while he commanded a division of the army as a colonel longer than any man in the great Rebellions. It is said by a writer who is familiar with the records of the War Department, that this fact cannot be disputed. Colonel Thoburn was perhaps as well known as any colonel in the war; although his services were confined exclusively to the soil of Virginia, yet he came in touch and in contact with the commanders of all the Eastern armies and held subordinate positions above his rank, temporarily commanding brigades and divisions at different times. He was a man of conscientious principles, lovable in his disposition and brave to a fault. He never lacked in popular esteem among the rank and file of the army. His death was announced by General Sheridan as a great calamity. West Virginia has no greater honor to perform than that of placing, somewhere within her borders, a suitable testimonial to the character of this man.

Isaac H. Duval

     Isaac H. Duval, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, who entered the service as major in the three months' service with the First Virginia Infantry, re-entered the service in the same capacity with the regiment at the beginning of the three years' term. His genius as a soldier very soon brought him into prominence when the active hostilities of the war began to show of what metal men were made. Of all the names borne on the rolls of the First Virginia Infantry, perhaps the ideal soldier was found in the person of this man. Very early in 1862, Governor Peirpoint selected him as colonel of the Ninth West Virginia Volunteers. His soldierly bearing soon marked its characteristics upon the regiment, and it became known throughout the Army of West Virginia that there was none better than the Ninth. In the conflicts that followed in the campaigns of 1863-64, Colonel Duval was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and upon him devolved important commands during that history made famous by Sheridan and Crook, which shall live in the annals of time. It is a strange coincidence that at the surrender of the last troops in the Department of West Virginia, it should fall to the lot of one of West Virginia's sons to receive the sword of the commander of the capitulating forces, when the climax of war was ended. General Duval, upon whom rested the command of Hancock's corps (General Hancock being absent), being stationed at Staunton, Virginia, at the time of the capitulation of Lee's army, threw his troops in the way of the Confederate General Rosser, who in the command of Lee's cavalry attempted to make his way west with a sufficient force to continue active operations, but was brought to bay and compelled to surrender. General Duval has lived to enjoy the honor and esteem of the people of West Virginia, he having represented them in the lower House of Congress, and in many ways filled places of trust and honor.

Subalterns

     Among the subordinate officers there were many who entered the service as unknown striplings or boys from the schools and the shops, who placed themselves at the heads of companies and other subordinate commands that were as honorable to their service, by reason of their youth and opportunities, as though they had succeeded to greater commands.

Rank and File

     In the rank and file there were men as true and loyal, as ever bore arms in the defense of liberty and free government. It may not be amiss to state that of the per cent. of battleflags captured a greater number in proportion to the troops in the filed than by the troops of any other State. The names of many of the First West Virginia Infantry are enshrined forever on fields that shall live as among the marked spots where the conflicts of men took place in the War of the Rebellion. It would be doing injustice to others that any should be named, for among the unknown who fell and sleep in unmarked graves, West Virginia's greatest glory in unhonored and unsung, but we can all say: "All hail to the sons of the storm-born State, who gave their lives that liberty might live and that West Virginia may ever continue among the family of States."

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