The “First Campaign Seminar and Reunion” will be held in Elkins, Randolph County, WV on August 17-20, 2006. The First Campaign of the Civil War started in the northwestern part of Virginia in May and June of 1861, and it resulted in the Federal forces keeping control of the western counties of Virginia which led to statehood two years later.

The event, hosted by the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation (RMBF) and Elkins-Randolph County Convention & Visitors Bureau, will feature the 25^th and 31^st VA Infantry regiments as celebrated units of the reunion. These two regiments were created by Brig. General Robert S. Garnett as part of the Confederate Army of the Northwest in response to the Union victory at Philippi. Most of the soldiers from these two regiments came from the mountain counties of what is now east central West Virginia and western Virginia.

The First Campaign Seminar and Reunion will feature four days of (1) guided tours of the battle and skirmish sites affiliated with the First Campaign, (2) noted Civil War authors and historians of this campaign, and (3) Civil War exhibits and displays. A "family reunion" on Saturday will enable descendents of the soldiers of the 25^th and 31^st VA regiments to connect with others who share similar family histories through these units. Descendants can learn more about their connection to Civil War history, as well as join in a celebration of the sacrifices these soldiers made for their beliefs. However, the four-day event will be open to all people who are interested in learning more about the First Campaign, which saw the debuts of Generals George B. McClellan and Robert E. Lee.

RMBF wants to collect information from descendents on their ancestor's history and affiliation with the units as a part of its research documentation. "Right now we are seeking out descendents of the 25^th and 31^st VA Infantry. Their stories are the ones we most desire.  In the future years, other regiments of the Army of the Northwest and their Union opponents will be featured, but right now our focus is on the men of these two units," remarked Chelley Depp, RMBF Executive Director. 

The 25^th and 31^st VA regiments were created at Huttonsville, VA on June 14, 1861. Most of the companies came from an area marked by Marion County, WV on the northwest; to Gilmer County, WV on the southwest; to Augusta, County, VA on the southeast; to Highland County, VA on the northeast. Some of these companies fought at Philippi, and the two regiments fought with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley and with Lee to Appomattox.

Depp added, "Recent releases of Civil War books mentioning these units such as French Harding and Rebels at the Gate, coupled with the installation of West Virginia Civil War Trails signs for the First Campaign, have generated much interest in the study of this part of the war, and we are excited to be in the middle of that buzz."

RMBF will be posting additional information about the event as the reunion gets closer.  "It is our hope that many descendents will come to the reunion and share their particular historical documents and stories. We are excited and pleased to offer an event that encompasses both education about our Civil War history and a celebration of our ancestry," commented Depp. Anyone interested in attending the First Campaign Seminar and Reunion is encouraged to contact RMBF at PO Box 227, Beverly, WV 26253 or richmt@richmountain.org to be added to the database of contacts for the 2006 event.    

 

MORE INFORMATION? -- Write to: richmt@richmountain.org