Department of Virginia and North Carolina facts for kids

The Department of Virginia and North Carolina was a special military area created by the United States Military during the American Civil War. It covered parts of Virginia and North Carolina that the Union Army had taken control of. This department was formed in 1863 by joining two older departments: the Department of Virginia and the Department of North Carolina. Later, in 1865, they became separate again.

Department of Virginia

This department was one of the first military areas set up by the Union Army. It played a key role in the war in Virginia.

Starting in 1861

The Department of Virginia began on May 22, 1861. It included areas around Fort Monroe in Virginia. It also covered any parts of North Carolina and South Carolina that the Union Army captured.

Major General Benjamin F. Butler was its first leader. His troops fought early battles at Big Bethel and Hatteras Inlet. For a while, this department was also called the Department of Southeastern Virginia.

In January 1862, the areas in North Carolina were separated. They became the Department of North Carolina. Later, in June 1862, more land in Virginia was added. This included areas south of the Rappahannock River. From June to September 1862, John Pope's Army of Virginia operated here. On July 15, 1863, the Department of Virginia joined with the Department of North Carolina.

Reformed in 1865

The Department of Virginia was created again on January 18, 1865. It covered the same areas as before, near Fort Monroe and south of the Rappahannock River. By April 1865, most of Virginia was added to it. Only the Shenandoah Valley was left out.

From January to August 1865, the Army of the James was made up of troops from this department. These soldiers were among the first to enter Richmond, the capital city of the Confederacy, after it fell.

Leaders of the Department of Virginia

• 1861
  • Benjamin F. Butler (May 22, 1861 – August 9, 1861)
  • John E. Wool (August 9, 1861 – June 2, 1862)
  • John Adams Dix (June 2, 1862 – April 6, 1863)
  • Erasmus D. Keyes (April 6, 1863 – April 14, 1863)
  • John Adams Dix (April 14, 1863 – July 15, 1863)
• 1865
  • E.O.C. Ord (January 18, 1865 – June 14, 1865)
  • Alfred H. Terry (June 14, 1865 – August 6, 1866)

Important Places in Virginia

Many forts and camps were part of this department:

• Fort Monroe, VA, 1861–65, Norfolk
• Fort Calhoun, Virginia, 1861–62, later Fort Wool, Virginia, 1862–65, Norfolk
• Fort Norfolk, VA, 1862–65, Norfolk
• Post at Newport News, VA, 1863–65 Newport News
• Civil War Defenses of Williamsburg, 1862–1865, Williamsburg
• Defenses of Jamestown Island, 1862, 1863–1865, Jamestown, Virginia

Department of North Carolina

This department was created to manage Union forces in North Carolina.

Starting in 1862

The Department of North Carolina was created on January 7, 1862. It included all parts of North Carolina that the Union Army had captured. These areas used to be part of the Department of Virginia.

Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside was the first commander. His forces captured important places like Roanoke Island, New Bern, and Fort Macon. In December 1862, the XVIII Corps was formed from the troops in North Carolina. On July 15, 1863, this department merged with the Department of Virginia. The main office for the Department of North Carolina was in New Bern, North Carolina.

Reformed in 1865

The department was created again on January 31, 1865. It included Union-controlled areas of North Carolina. General John M. Schofield was chosen by Ulysses Grant to lead it. Schofield led his troops to capture Wilmington. This included taking Fort Fisher.

In March 1865, the troops here formed the "revived" X Corps. This group was led by Alfred Terry. On May 19, 1866, the Department of North Carolina joined with the Department of the Carolinas.

Leaders of the Department of North Carolina

• 1862
  • Ambrose E. Burnside (January 7, 1862 – July 6, 1862)
  • John G. Foster (July 6, 1862 – March 29, 1863)
  • Innis N. Palmer (March 29, 1863 – April 16, 1863)
  • John G. Foster (April 16 – July 15, 1863)
• 1865
  • John M. Schofield (January 31, 1865 – June 20, 1865)
  • Jacob D. Cox (June 20, 1865 – June 28, 1865)
  • Thomas H. Ruger (June 28, 1865 – May 19, 1866)

Important Places in North Carolina

Some important forts and camps in this department were:

• Fort Ocracoke, 1861–1865, Beacon Island
• Fort Clark, 1861–1865, Hatteras Inlet
• Fort Hatteras, 1861–1865, Hatteras Inlet
• Fort Macon, 1862–1865, Atlantic Beach
• Newport Barracks, 1862–1864, Newport
• Defenses of New Bern, NC, 1862–1865, New Bern
• Defenses of Washington, NC, 1862–1865, Washington

Department of Virginia & North Carolina

This combined department was formed when the two separate departments joined together.

It was created on July 15, 1863. It included all the areas that were once part of the Department of Virginia and the Department of North Carolina. For a few months, from December 1863 to June 1864, St. Mary's County, Maryland was also part of this department. On January 18, 1865, the department was split back into its two original parts.

From August 1863 to April 1864, the Army of North Carolina was part of this combined department. It was led by John J. Peck.

From April 1864 to January 1865, the Army of the James was made up of troops from this department. They mostly fought in Virginia. They were involved in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign and the siege of Petersburg.

Leaders of the Combined Department

• George W. Getty (July 15, 1863 – July 18, 1863)
• John G. Foster (July 18, 1863 – August 28, 1863)
• Benjamin F. Butler (August 28, 1863 – August 27, 1864)
• E.O.C. Ord (August 27, 1864 – September 5, 1864)
• David B. Birney (September 5, 1864 – September 7, 1864)
• Benjamin F. Butler (September 7, 1864 – December 14, 1864)
• E.O.C. Ord (December 14, 1864 – December 24, 1864)
• Benjamin F. Butler (December 24, 1864 – January 7, 1865)
• E.O.C. Ord (January 7, 1865 – January 18, 1865)