The Commands

— The First Campaign —

Col. Benjamin F. Kelley
Kelley, a railroad agent in Philadelphia and former resident of Wheeling, was called back to command the First Virginia (Union) Infantry - the first Union regiment raised in the South. He planned and led the attack on Philippi. Severely wounded there, he recovered and was awarded a Brigadier General's Star.

Federal
Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, Commanding, U.S. Army, Department of the Ohio.
Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Morris, Commanding, U.S. Army, Western Virginia

Regiments
Col. Benjamin F. Kelley, 1st (West) Virginia Volunteers, Commander, Federal Forces at Philippi.
Col. Ebenezer Dumont, 7th Indiana Volunteers, Commander Federal Right Wing at Philippi.
Col. Frederick W. Lander, Aide-de-Camp, General Morris, Commander, Federal Field Artillery at Philippi.
Col. Thomas T. Crittenden, 6th Indiana Volunteers.
Col. Robert H. Milroy, 9th Indiana Volunteers.
Col. James B. Steedman, 14th Ohio Volunteers.
Col. James Irvine, 16th Ohio Volunteers

Col. George A. Porterfield
Porterfield was from Jefferson County (West) Virginia. He was an 1844 graduate of Virginia Military Institute and a veteran of the Mexican War. On May 4, Gen. Lee made him commander of the Northwest. Chased out of Philippi by the Federals on June 3, he retreated to Huttonsville. On June 8, Lee replaced him with Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett. A board of inquiry reprimanded him for not defending Philippi, but noted his skillful and orderly retreat.

Confederate
Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee, Commanding, Virginia Militia
Col. George A. Porterfield, Commanding, Virginia Militia, Northwestern Virginia

Companies
Capt. Albert G. Reger, Barbour Grays
Capt. Thomas A. Bradford, Barbour Grays
Capt. Henry Sturm, Barbour Mountain Guards
Capt. Hill, Barbour Militia
Capt. John C. Higgenbotham, Upser Grays
Capt. John B. Moomau, Franklin Guards
Capt. William P. Thompson, Marion Guards
Capt. William Willey, Marion Guards
Capt. Anderson, Hardy Blues
Capt. George W. Hansbrough, Taylor County Infantry
Capt. John Robinson, Taylor County Infantry
Capt. D.A. Stoner, Pendleton County Infantry
Capt. F.F. Sterrett, Churchville Cavalry
Capt. Robert McChestney, Rockbridge Cavalry
Capt. McNutter, Rockbridge Cavalry
Capt. Felix Hull, Highland County Infantry
Harrison State Guards; Augusta Lee Rifles

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

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