Union in Monroe County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Union, West Virginia
History All Around
Standing here, you're surrounded by Civil War history.
To your left rests the monument dedicated in 1901 to honor local men who served the Confederate States of America. Thirteen Virginia companies were formed here in Monroe County.
To your front, behind the tree line a half mile away, stands Walnut Grove. When Federal forces commanded by Gen. George Crook occupied Union for five days in May 1864, they used the house as a hospital. Later, incomplete pairs of shoes were found under the home, allegedly tossed there after amputations.
To your left are the Knobs, hills where many residents hid as Crook approached. Rev. Samuel R. Houston, a Presbyterian minister who kept a wartime diary, lived in the brick house behind you, across from the church. Elmwood, the home of Allen T. Caperton, is visible above the stone wall to your right. Caperton served as a Confederate senator for Virginia during the war, and a U.S. senator for West Virginia after the conflict.
Crook's 10,000 men camped in these fields. Elmwood, like other houses, was plundered, "entered by 50 [Union soldiers] and almost ruined." Caperton's daughter
this page online
"Enemy took possession of village, and sent out pickets and foraging parties in every direction we were visited by squad after squad of hungry soldiers, sometimes civilly asking for food and at others demanding." Rev. Samuel R. Houston, May 14, 1864
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.
Location. 37° 35.704′ N, 80° 32.607′ W. Marker is in Union, West Virginia, in Monroe County. It is on Seneca Trail North (U.S. 219) north of Elmwood Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Allen T. Caperton (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. John Echols House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bishop Matthew W. Clair, Sr. (approx. Ό mile away); Ames Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named Union (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.
Other markers no longer nearby. Union, Western Virginia
3. The marker stands behind this plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 28, 2026.
