The Confederate Retreat

— The First Campaign —

Col. George A. Porterfield moved his newly recruited Confederates from Grafton on May 28, 1861, after receiving word of a Federal advance on the B&O Railroad. Porterfield's force a Philippi totaled no more than 775 volunteers. Few were fully trained and all were poorly equipped.

Although the little town was "friendly country," upon learning of the Federal advance,Porterfield advised his officers to be ready to retreat south to Beverly on the morning of June 3 for there would be no advance in the heavy rain and lightning on the night of June 2. Confederate pickets returned to their quarters.

The Federal attack before dawn on the morning of June 3 caught them by surprise. Porterfield's men fled from town in the so-called "Philippi Races." The Confederates regrouped just south of town and marched in orderly fashion to Beverly.

"[Philippi] will be a lesson to be remembered by the army through the war."
-Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee, Commanding Virginia Militia

Mrs. George Whitescarver of Pruntytown, whose husband was with the Confederates in Philippi, brought news of the Federal plans to Col. Porterfield on June 2. She was one of several female spies who gave information to Porterfield.

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Show me all markers in:  Philippi, WV  |  Barbour County  |  26416  |  West Virginia  |  United States of America

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