The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-19
THE ARMY OF
WEST VIRGINIA
TINE RECORD as ISL WIN The
DEEDS or Or FOR the
Y. CIV q s t'tt 81 i

DEEDS 4 or I'D u Oh ION the 81
CIVIL ar; ! ", +. Ii
WHEELING q. Aug. The coming
reunion 81 tie society q the Army Of
West Virginia promises to- be the
most succ essful II. the history Of this
famous organization Manytfa favorable
replies are being received from the
Invitations sent out by Secretary P. +.
zeise, who has established headauar.
tiers here. Wheeling Is associated in
many historic ways with this society,
as some Of its most memorable reun-
ions were held here
The society Of the Army Of West
J Virginia was organizedaat Mounds.
vile September % and % by Captain
d. ]. Rawlings R. III Cochran and Ma
, jor NJ. w. Blink, and the meeting for
permanent Organization was held In
Wheeling, October 10, 1871. Another
reunion was held in this city in 1887.
since then no meetings have been held
in wheeling.
The purpose Of the organization Is
to preserve the records Of the Army
Of West Virginia which played q most
important part in the Civil War.
The army was engaged in 1862 in q
campaign in the Kanawha Valley. In
that year General Loring drove the ar
my through the State and across the
river at Rayenswood This was known
as the Lightning Retreat In the fall
Of 62.sS the army was sent into the
far south to Young's Point, Louisiana.
LIT was at the siege Of ycksburg, and
other important engagennts through
Mississippi. They helped drive John
son out Of Jackson and destroyed the
bridges over which they passed.
They came up the river in the latter
part Of 1868 to Memphis and march
ed to. Chattanooga. They were engagt
ed in the famous battle Of Lookout
Mountain and Mission Ridge, and
started for Knoxville. When they were
within about is miles Of Knoxville
car Iorostraat nulled ont Tney
next went to Alabama and were at
LarkinsviIle several months during
the winter. 1t was at Larkinsyille
that they re.enlisted.
Transferred to Shenandoah.
They were next transferred to the
Shenandoah valley and took part in
the Hunter or more properly called.
Lynchburg Raid. This was a fail.
,ure and they we're driven back to
Charleston. They cameup again and
were again defeated at Kernestown.
In July~of 1863 early with $4,000 men
was ordered into the valley and the
union forces there had about 5000
men.
The Army Of West Virginia was
driven across the Potomac, and Early
worked his way close to Washington.
They forded the Potomac at Harper's
Ferry and went up the Lenay valley
through snechee's Gap, forded the
river again and again encountered
Early at Shenandoah. Early again
won, and withdrew, Then General
Phil Sheridan was ordered into the
valley, and Sheridan finally took COM
mand. Early went back to winches-
ter and took up a position at Apequan.
The battle came September 18th,
while Sheridan was away, and routed
the army at daybreak
saw sheridan's Ride.
Then Sheridan came back on his
famous ride, gathered the army, and
at the suggestion Of Col. Forsythe
rode down the line, brought enthusi-
asm back to the army and turned and
defeated Early. That was the most
notable engagement the army was in
until the end of the war,
Members of the army and the so.
ciety are prouder of their participa-
ton in this event than any other dur
ing the war. They tell how sheridan
came up on his famous horse, and By
his own personality gathered the ar.
my which had been not only defeated
by Early, but completely routed, and
turned defeat into one Of the most
decisive Union victories Of the entire
war.
To Preserve Record.
1t is a proud record Of achievement,
that Of fhe Army of West Virginia,