Essential Facts
Dates
- Formed: June 24, 1863
- Dissolved: June 1865
Commanders
- Benjamin F. Kelly (June 1863–March 1864)
- Franz Sigel (March–May 1864)
- David Hunter (May–August 1864)
- George Crook (August 1864–February 1865)
- J.D. Stevenson (February 1865)
- S.S. Carrol (February–March 1865)
- Winfield Scott Hancock (March 1865)
- George Crook (March 1865)
- Winfield Scott Hancock (March–June 1865)
Key Battles
History
Origin
On June 24, 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 186, creating the Department of West Virginia commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin Franklin Kelley. Troops assigned to the department came from the 8th Army Corps. Major General Franz Sigel succeeded Kelley as commander of the district from March 10 to May 21, 1864. Major General David Hunter succeeded Sigel from May 21 to August 8, 1864.
When Lieutenant General sent Major General Philip Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley in 1864 to command Hunter’s forces during Early’s Valley Campaign, Hunter asked to be relieved of his command. On August 8, 1864, Brigadier General George Crook succeeded Hunter as the department commander.
During Sheridan’s operations in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, he assembled a large force numbering between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers to drive Confederate General Jubal Early out of the valley. Among them were Crook’s 7,500 men known as the Army of West Virginia.
Notable Engagements
The Army of West Virginia served with distinction at the Battle of Opequon (September 19), the Battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 22), and the Battle of Cedar Creek (October 19) during the autumn of 1864.
Dissolution
At the conclusion of Sheridan’s Valley Campaign, the army dispersed the soldiers of the Army of West Virginia to various districts in the Department of West Virginia.
Notable Members
Among the men who served with the Army of West Virginia were two future U.S. presidents. Rutherford B. Hayes commanded the army’s Second Division, and William McKinley served on Crook’s staff.
Timeline of Battles and Key Events
- On June 24, 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 186, creating the Department of West Virginia commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin Franklin Kelley.
- Troops assigned to the Department of West Virginia were taken from the 8th Army Corps.
- Brevet Major General George Crook commanded the Department of West Virginia from August 8, 1864, to February 22, 1865.
- During Major General Philip Sheridan’s Valley Campaign, George Crook commanded roughly 7,500 soldiers known as the Army of West Virginia.
- Among the men who served with the Army of West Virginia were two future U.S. presidents. Rutherford B. Hayes commanded the army’s Second Division, and William McKinley served on Crook’s staff.
- The Army of West Virginia served with distinction at the Battle of Opequon (September 19), the Battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 22), and the Battle of Cedar Creek (October 19) during the autumn of 1864.
- At the conclusion of Sheridan’s Valley Campaign, the soldiers of the Army of West Virginia were dispersed to various districts in the Department of West Virginia.
