Welcome to the
13th REGIMENT WEST VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER
INFANTRY
Memorial Website
REGIMENTAL STATE FLAG
(photo courtesy West Virginia State Archives)
Col. William R. Brown
(photo courtesy Roger D. Hunt Collection,
U.S. Army Military History Institute)
The 13th Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, a Union regiment
that fought in the United States Civil War, was organized in Point Pleasant
and Barboursville, West Virginia, in October, 1862, and saw action in West
Virginia, southern Ohio, and Virginia.
The History of the Thirteenth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Summary
of this regiment's history, service, and losses
Soldier Information and Researchers
Soldier Roster
Reunion, Huntington WV, 1891
Photo
Newspaper article
Reunion, Meigs County, OH, 1893
Newspaper article
13th WVI soldiers recruited to Blazer's
Scouts
Read Darl Stephenson's
article on Blazer's Scouts, courtesy of
West Virginia in the Civil War
Mr. Stephenson is also the author of
Headquarters
in the Brush: Blazer's Independent Union Scouts
Join Dan Means' 13th WVI discussion group!
MORE ABOUT THE PLACES
THEY WENT
AND THE BATTLES THEY FOUGHT:
Service & engagements
in the Kanawaha Valley
The Kanawha Valley was important for its salt works and waterways. It was
the Confederacy's natural route to the Ohio River, and the Union's natural
route to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. From the beginning of the war,
control of this valley was vigorously sought by both sides. The 13th WVI
provided guard service in the Kanawha Valley, and also served as part of
the military presence necessary to maintain law and order during the hostilities
surrounding the question of West Virginia's statehood.
Battle of Fayetteville,
WV -- May 1863
Confederate General John McCausland attacked Union forces at Fayetteville,
hoping to defeat them and move on to the Kanawha Valley salt mines. The
13th WVI was summoned to join the Union forces in defending Fayetteville.
Morgan's Raid and the Battle
of Buffington Island -- July 1863
Confederate General John Hunt Morgan swept across southern Indiana and
Ohio, hoping to distract the attention of Union General Ambrose Burnside,
whose army was advancing into Tennessee. The 13th WVI helped defend the
citizens of Meigs County, Ohio, from the raiders. Morgan's men then tried
to escape into West Virginia by crossing the Ohio River at Buffington Island,
but were strongly challenged by Union forces. The Battle of Buffington
Island basically marked the end of "Morgan's Raid."
Hunter's Raid -- June 1864
In May, 1864, Union General George Crook's Second Infantry Division (of
which the 13th WVI was a part), moved toward Staunton, Virginia, where
it joined the army of Union Major General David Hunter. Hunter's united
army then moved toward Lynchburg, Virginia, a major Confederate supply
depot. En route to Lynchburg, Hunter's army destroyed sections of railroad,
and bombarded the town Lexington-- home of the Virginia Military Institute.
Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley
Campaign -- August-December 1864
The Shenandoah Valley was important to the Confederacy because of its geographic
proximity to Washington, DC, and the cover it provided to moving troops.
It was important to both armies for its ability to provide food.
In June, 1865, the 13th WVI was discharged at Cumberland, Maryland.
BATTLEFIELD INFORMATION AND PRESERVATION
ORGANIZATIONS:
Kernstown Battlefield Association
Cedar Creek Battlefield
Foundation
Buffington Island
Battlefield
Links to websites for other West Virginia
units:
1st West
Virginia Cavalry
1st West Virginia
Volunteer Infantry
4th
West Virginia Volunteer Infantry
7th West Virginia
Volunteer Infantry
11th West Virginia Volunteer
Infantry
12th West
Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Other favorite links:
West Virginia
State Archives
West Virginia in the Civil War
George
Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War
Unclaimed West
Virginia Civil War Medals Homepage
The Civil
War Medals of West Virginia: Where are they?
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
U.S. Army Military History
Institute
Clipart courtesy of:
Copyright 2000
Kimberly Hieronimus
Brownlee
Julie Matthews
Burnette
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