The Battle of Philippi

The Battle of Philippi, fought on 3rd June 1861, was the first significant land engagement of the American Civil War. It took place in Barbour County, Virginia (now West Virginia) and was part of the Western Virginia Campaign.

Union forces, led by Major General George B. McClellan, aimed to secure the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and protect the pro-Union populace in the region. The Union troops, numbering around 3,000, were divided into two columns under Colonel Benjamin Franklin Kelley and Colonel Ebenezer Dumont. They planned a pincer movement to surround the town of Philippi and attack from multiple directions.

The Confederate forces, commanded by Colonel George A. Porterfield, consisted of approximately 800 untrained recruits. The Union troops launched their attack early in the morning, catching the Confederates off guard. The Confederates attempted to resist but were quickly overwhelmed by the Union forces. The battle lasted only a few hours, with the Confederates retreating in disarray.

The Union victory at Philippi was a morale booster for the North and helped secure the region for the Union. It also led to the eventual creation of the state of West Virginia, as the pro-Union residents of the region sought to separate from Virginia. The battle is often referred to as the “Philippi Races” due to the chaotic retreat of the Confederate forces.

Orders of Battle

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Sources

• My ACW Book Library