Romney, West Virginia, in the American Civil War facts for kids

The town of Romney, West Virginia, was a very important place during the American Civil War. It changed hands between the Union Army (the North) and the Confederate States Army (the South) many times. If a side stayed there for at least one night, it happened at least 10 times! This small town's story shows how much fighting happened in western Virginia, which later became the new state of West Virginia.

Romney's Role in the Civil War

1861: The War Begins

• On June 13, Union Col. Lewis "Lew" Wallace and his soldiers briefly took over Romney.
• The very next day, Confederate Col. Ambrose P. Hill and his troops moved in.
• Confederate Col. John C. Vaughn was stationed in Romney. He attacked Union forces nearby on June 18.
• Confederate Capt. Turner Ashby set up his cavalry headquarters near Romney.
• In July, Confederate Col. A. C. Cummings, who had fought in a big battle, occupied Romney.
• In August, a local newspaper in Romney had to stop printing because Union soldiers closed it.
• On September 23, Confederate Col. Angus William McDonald was in charge of Romney when Union soldiers attacked. He had to retreat but then took the town back the next day!
• On October 24, Union soldiers attacked again. The Confederate defenders ran away on October 26. After this, Union soldiers stayed in Romney for a while.

1862: Back and Forth Battles

• On January 7, Union soldiers defeated a group of Confederates near Romney.
• On January 10, Union troops left Romney. Confederate cavalry quickly moved in. This led to some big changes for Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.
• From February 2 to 4, Confederate General William W. Loring left Romney.
• On February 7, Union forces came back and took over Romney again.
• In March, Union Lt. Col. Stephen W. Downey took command of Union troops in Romney.
• In April, Union cavalry units were stationed in Romney.
• On June 13, the Union Army took Romney after a short fight.
• From September 13 to 15, Confederate Col. John D. Imboden occupied Romney. He even set a successful trap for Union troops nearby.
• In October and December, different cavalry units, both Union and Confederate, passed through or had small fights in Romney.

1863: Shifting Control

• On January 6, Union Col. Jacob Campbell's soldiers moved to Romney, chasing Confederate forces.
• By January 20, Union Col. James Washburn was in Romney with about 1,400 men. Some stayed until March.
• On April 7, Union soldiers attacked a Confederate cavalry leader named "Hanse" McNeill near Romney. Romney was controlled by the Union at this time.
• In June, Confederate General Robert E. Lee wanted Confederate cavalry to move towards Romney to distract the Union.
• Later in June, different Union cavalry units passed through Romney.
• In July, Confederate scouts were seen near Romney. The town might have changed hands several times without official records during this period.
• On August 4, Union cavalry took over Romney again.
• On November 6, Union Col. Jacob Campbell's soldiers left Romney.
• On November 16, Confederate Captain McNeill captured many prisoners, wagons, and horses near Romney.

1864: Continued Conflict

• On January 5, Confederate leaders Fitzhugh Lee and Harry Gilmor were in Romney. Then, Union Captain Henry A. Meyers took it over on January 8. Later that month, Confederates recaptured it again!
• In early February, Romney changed hands almost daily between Union and Confederate forces.
• In May, Union Col. Jacob Higgins and his cavalry were surprised by Confederate cavalry and pushed out of Romney.
• Throughout June, July, and August, different Union and Confederate cavalry units, including McNeill's Rangers, were often in or around Romney.
• On August 3, Confederate General John McCausland occupied Romney for two days after a raid.
• On August 6, Confederate scouts in Romney warned McCausland about a Union attack.
• In November and December, Union scouts and cavalry camped in or passed through Romney.

1865: The War Ends

• On February 5, Union cavalry passed through Romney.
• On February 21, McNeill's Rangers, a famous Confederate cavalry unit, passed through Romney on their way to kidnap two Union Generals!
• Romney was held by Confederate forces for the last time on April 15.
• Local stories say that McNeill's Rangers surrendered near the Romney bridge in May, after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House.

After the War: Remembering the Fallen

• On June 1, 1867, the first decoration of Confederate graves happened at Indian Mound Cemetery in Romney.
• On September 26, 1867, a special memorial was dedicated to Confederate soldiers who died, at Indian Mound Cemetery.

Civil War Sites in Romney

Romney has many historical places that were important during the Civil War.

• Boxwood (built around 1850) on East Main Street.
  • This house was used as a hospital during the war. People say that the town changed hands 56 times under a big elm tree in its front yard!
• The Burg (built around 1769) on US Route 50.
  • This house has been owned by the same family for seven generations. Both armies used it as a headquarters during the war.
• Davis History House (built in 1798) on West Main Street.
  • The Davis family lived here. Two sons fought for the Confederacy, and one for the Union. Now it's a museum with Civil War items.
• Confederate Memorial at Indian Mound Cemetery.
• Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches on US Route 50. These are old trenches dug by soldiers.
• Hampshire County Courthouse on Main and High Streets.
• Hanging Rocks on WV Route 28.
• Indian Mound Cemetery on West Main Street.
• Liberty Hall (built in 1858) on West Main Street.
  • This house is traditionally known as Stonewall Jackson's headquarters. Both Union and Confederate troops used the house and grounds.
• Literary Hall on Main and High Streets.
• Romney Presbyterian Church (built in 1860) on 100 West Rosemary Lane.
  • This church was used as a hospital and even a stable during the war.
• Sycamore Dale (built in 1836) on South Branch River Road.
  • This house is mentioned in records from a Union raid in 1861. The famous author Lew Wallace wrote part of his book Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ here!
• Taggart Hall (built around 1790s) on Gravel Lane and High Street.
  • This building is now the headquarters for the Fort Mill Ridge Foundation Museum.
• Valley View (built in 1855) on Depot Valley Road.
• Washington Bottom Farm (built in 1835) on Washington Road.