Soldiers from West Virginia fought in many major Civil War battles. Confederate troops from the Eastern Panhandle fought at First Manassas under Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who earned his famous nickname there. They also held strong at Second Manassas and fought at Gettysburg during Pickett’s Charge.

Union soldiers from West Virginia were also heavily involved. The 7th West Virginia Infantry suffered major losses at Antietam’s “Bloody Lane,” and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry joined a failed charge at Gettysburg. Farther south, seven soldiers from the 4th West Virginia Infantry earned the Medal of Honor for bravery during the attack on Vicksburg.