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Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
January 1863


January 1
Citizens throughout the proposed new state of West Virginia gathered to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the statehood bill.

January 2
Prisoners arrived at Wheeling.

January 3
Rebels carried off commissioners books from Cabell County.

Fighting was going on at New Creek, and Union troops at Moorefield were attacked.

January 4
Fighting continued at New Creek and Moorefield.

January 5
Rebels captured Sheriff James Trahorn of Barbour County.

The Marion County Court was held in Fairmont.

Capt. John McNeill made a raid into Hardy County.

January 6
Ellery R. Hall of Fairmont was elected as Clerk of the Senate.

House of Delegates, Restored Government of Virginia

January 7
Ten Confederate soldiers captured near Bulltown arrived in Wheeling and were confined in the Atheneum.

At a session of the House of Delegates, Mr. Michael resolved that the Committee on Roads and Internal Navigations inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to rebuild a bridge over Stony River on the Northwest Turnpike in Hardy County.

January 8
Ellen Brady, a pastry cook at the McLure House in Wheeling, was detained and searched in Fairmont due to suspicions that she was handling Confederate mail.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad re-opened after repairs were completed on destruction caused by Confederates.

House of Delegates, Restored Government of Virginia

January 9
The General Assembly of the Restored Government of Virginia passed an act relating to coal mining west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

House of Delegates, Restored Government of Virginia

Union troops burned the house and possessions of Austin Handley near Lewisburg.

January 10
More prisoners arrived at Wheeling.

The Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution of condolence to Treasurer Campbell Tarr on the death of his wife.

House of Delegates, Restored Government of Virginia

January 11

January 12
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act authorizing the Marshall County Court to re-assess land owned by Spencer Biddle.

A Union detachment, the Kelley Guards, captured a notorious bushwhacker in the Dry Fork region.

House of Delegates, Restored Government of Virginia

January 13
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act changing the location of an election precinct in Jackson County.

Governor Francis Pierpont submitted a communication to the House of Delegates regarding "lunatic asylums."

Col. Cunningham of the 80th Regiment Virginia Militia wrote to Adjutant General H. J. Samuels about the condition of the regiment.

January 14
Jacob Hornbrook of Wheeling issued a report to the Executive Committe of the Soldiers' Aid Society detailing the food and clothing he had distributed to soldiers hospitalized in Cumberland, Maryland.

The new state commissioners issued a proclamation to reconvene the constitutional convention in February and to hold an election to select delegates.

January 15
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act declaring that the Wheeling City Council should consist of two boards or branches.

The House of Delegates passed legislation granting relief to Elisha Morgan of Wetzel County.

January 16
The House of Delegates considered the stay law regarding the collection of certain debts, during which motions for adjournment were made several times.

January 17
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act to incorporate Logan Tribe No. 21 of the Improved Order of Red Men in Wheeling.

January 18

January 19
Senator Andrew Flesher of Jackson County hosted senators, delegates and other distinguished guests at a dinner at Mrs. Greer's in Wheeling.

January 20
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act declaring a part of Elk River a lawful fence.

January 21
The Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution setting a time and date for the election of a United States senator.

Gen. John B. Floyd, commanding the Virginia State Line, gave a report to the military committee in Richmond on conditions in the southern parts of western Virginia and the benefits of supporting state forces there.

January 22
A group of prisoners, including women, arrived in Wheeling.

January 23
The legislature elected Lemuel Bowden as United States senator for the Restored Government of Virginia.

January 24
House of Delegates

January 25
An anti-statehood meeting was held in Morgantown.

January 26
The House of Delegates acted on Senate amendments to the stay law regarding the collection of certain debts.

January 27
The Senate reported to the House of Delegates that it hadpassed a resolution requesting commanding officers retaliate against Confederate sympathizers because Confederate authorities in Virginia have arrested civilians and non-combatants.

January 28
A new-state meeting was held in Wheeling.

January 29
The Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution to employ a janitor for the Public Buildings.

Union Gen. Scammon directed two companies of cavalry to the road south of Cannelton in response to a rumor of Confederate cavalry and artillery.

January 30
The General Assembly of the Restored Government of Virginia passed an act authorizing the governor to postpone the 1863 election.

Benjamin P. Morris, Deputy Sheriff of Putnam county, was captured by a party of rebels near Hurricane Bridge.

January 31
The Virginia General Assembly passed an act giving consent for Berkeley County's inclusion in the new state of West Virginia.

Undated Events, January 1863


Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood

West Virginia Archives and History