Grafton in Taylor County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The First Campaign
Civil War Begins in the Mountains of (West) Virginia
— The First Campaign —
Here, during June-July 1861, McClellan's army won the inaugural Union victories of the Civil War. Hailed as the North's first battlefield hero, McClellan was summoned to Washington on July 22, following a stunning Union debacle at Manassas, Virginia. Federal troops now occupied Western Virginia, as loyal delegates met in Wheeling to form the "Restored Government of Virginia," a Union government to oppose the Confederate one in Richmond.
By August 1861, Southern forces again threatened. Confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted to reclaim Western Virginia, but failed miserably. Troops of both armies remained to guard the mountain passes during that terrible winter. By 1862, conflict shifted east. The first campaign proved to be decisive: the western counties under Union control became the new state of West Virginia in 1863. The arduous conflict in these mountains forged armies and leaders-notably McClellan, Lee, and Stonewall Jackson - who shaped the course of the Civil War.
"The history of that remarkable campaign would show, if truly portrayed, a degree of severity, of hardship, of toil, of exposure and suffering that finds no parallel."
Col. Samuel V. Fulkerson, C.S.A.
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 20.482′ N, 80° 1.244′ W. Marker is in Grafton, West Virginia, in Taylor County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 119) west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grafton WV 26354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Merchants & Mechanics Savings Bank (a few steps from this marker); Jolliffe Building (a few steps from this marker); Brinkman Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Gough Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Loar Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Colerider Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Grafton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome To Historic Grafton West Virginia (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grafton.
More about this marker. On the right side of the marker is a map of West Virginia with sites related to the Western Virginia campaign noted. This marker orients visitors to the early war campaign in West Virginia and is duplicated at several locations.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.