Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Camp Carlile
Union Camp at Wheeling Island
— The First Campaign —
On the morning of May 14, 1861, the companies of Capt. Andrew H. Britt and Edward W. Stephens marched across the Wheeling Suspension Bridge to Wheeling Island. They settled into camp on the northwestern corner of the island at the fairgrounds.
The camp was perfect for mustering and training. The men used the exhibition halls and animal stalls for barracks and slept on straw with blankets and quilts donated by Wheeling citizens.
More troops followed until the regiment was complete. Designated as the First Virginia (Union) Volunteers, it was the first Union regiment formed in the South.
The First Virginia's stay on the island was short-lived. On May 27, Col. Benjamin F. Kelly moved the regiment to Grafton to protect the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This camp was christened Camp Carlile after Congressman John S. Carlile. Camp Carlile was used throughout the Civil War as a muster-in and training camp. At the end of the war many regiments returned here to muster out.
The First Virginia (Union) Volunteers were not the only soldiers to leave Wheeling in early 1861. Daniel M. Shriver brought together a group of 64 Wheeling men with Confederate sympathies to form the Shriver Grays. The Shriver Grays would become Company C, 27th Virginia Infantry, one of the regiments of the Stonewall Brigade.
The Shriver Grays planned to move to Harpers Ferry via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The Union was guarding the railroad, so a uniformed group of men would not be able to travel that way. On May 17, 1861, the company departed Wheeling by riverboat. They moved down the Ohio River and up the Kanawha River, then traversed over land to the Shenandoah River, and then down to Harpers Ferry.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1861.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 4.364′ N, 80° 44.168′ W. Marker was in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. Marker could be reached from North Wabash Street, 0.1 miles north of Zane Street (U.S. 40), on the left when traveling north. The marker was located in Bridge Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8 N Wabash St, Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Camp Carlile (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Camp Carlile (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Camp Carlile (within shouting distance of this marker); The National Historic Road in Ohio (approx. ¼ mile away in Ohio); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away in Ohio); Historic Bridgeport (approx. ¼ mile away in Ohio); Charles Ellet, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Marsh Wheeling Stogies (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Also see . . . Camp Carlile. The West Virginia Encyclopedia (Submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 11, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.