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  • Statehood

    West Virginia is the only state formed as a result of the Civil War -- a “Child of the Storm” that was a reflection of the struggle that the Republic was going through. From the soil that would become West Virginia, citizens took up arms against each other.
  • Freedom

    "[O]n the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State . . . shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free . . . ."

    - The Emancipation Proclamation
  • Sacrifice

    "We are determined to live under a State Government in the United States of America and under the Constitution of the United States. It requires stout hearts to execute this purpose; it requires men of courage."
    - Arthur Boreman

News and Announcements

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Upcoming Events

Making Sense of the American Civil War
Join Dr. David Javersak, author and professor emeritus of history at West Liberty State University, for this reading and discussion series about the Civil War. Over the course of five meetings, discuss "March" by Geraldine Brooks, "Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam" by James McPherson, and "America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries" by Edward L. Ayers. Copies of the books are limited and may be checked out at the Ohio County Library's Reference Desk. Presented by The National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, with additional support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the West Virginia Center for the Book.
Date:05/21/2012Time:7:00 PM
Stonewall Stopped: Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign
Learn about Gen. Rufus B. Saxton’s successful defense of Harpers Ferry during Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign in 1862. Activities include: living history, ranger-led programs and family/youth activities.
Date:05/26/2012Time:10:00 AM
Stonewall Stopped: Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign
Learn about Gen. Rufus B. Saxton’s successful defense of Harpers Ferry during Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign in 1862. Activities include: living history, ranger-led programs and family/youth activities.
Date:05/27/2012Time:10:00 a.m.

Today in Civil War History

Provided by Civil War Interactive

Friday, May 16 1862 - OCCUPATION ORDERS OFTEN OFFENSIVE

U.S. Gen. Benjamin Butler had a habit of making friends wherever he went. His current assignment was as commander of the military occupation of New Orleans. Yesterday he had issued his infamous "woman order", directing that ladies who were disrespectful to Union soldiers would be treated as common prostitutes were treated. Today he merely closed one of the city's newspapers (the "Bee") and put the other, the "Delta" under new management, his own.

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* All photographs are courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives

Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2012 State of West Virginia

Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2011 State of West Virginia