Huntersville was burned during the Civil War on July 14, 1861

 

Huntersville, West Virginia was burned during the Civil War on July 14, 1861 by a force of Confederate soldiers led by Colonel John Pegram. The town was the first county seat of Pocahontas County, Virginia and was a strategic location for both sides of the war.

The Confederates had been planning to attack Huntersville for some time, and they took advantage of the fact that most of the Union troops in the area were away on a raid. The Confederates entered the town unopposed and quickly set fire to the courthouse, the jail, and several other buildings. The fire spread quickly, and by the time the Union troops returned, the town was in ruins.

The burning of Huntersville was a significant event in the Civil War in West Virginia. It was the first major town to be burned by the Confederates, and it showed that the war was coming to the Mountain State. The burning of Huntersville also had a lasting impact on the town. It took many years for the town to recover, and the scars of the fire can still be seen today.

Here are some additional details about the burning of Huntersville:

• The Confederates were led by Colonel John Pegram, who was a native of Pocahontas County.
• The Union troops in the area were led by Colonel Benjamin Kelley.
• The burning of Huntersville was a retaliation for the burning of the town of Bath, Virginia by Union troops a few weeks earlier.
• The fire destroyed the courthouse, the jail, the Presbyterian church, and several other buildings.
• The fire also destroyed a large amount of supplies and equipment.
• The burning of Huntersville caused widespread damage and hardship to the citizens of the town.

The burning of Huntersville is a reminder of the destructive power of war. It is also a reminder of the importance of preserving our historical heritage. The town of Huntersville has worked hard to rebuild and preserve the historic buildings that survived the fire. These buildings are a reminder of the town's rich history and the sacrifices that were made during the Civil War.