What was the role of Pocahontas County during the Civil War?

 What was the role of Pocahontas County during the Civil War?

Pocahontas County was a strategic location during the Civil War, as it controlled the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, a major road connecting the Shenandoah Valley to the Ohio River. The county was also home to the Greenbrier River, which was a navigable waterway that could be used to transport supplies.

In the early years of the war, Pocahontas County was divided in its loyalties. Some residents supported the Confederacy, while others supported the Union. However, by 1863, most residents had sided with the Confederacy.

In 1861, Confederate forces established a camp at Camp Bartow in Pocahontas County. This camp was used as a staging area for Confederate raids into the Union-controlled Shenandoah Valley.

In November 1863, Union General William W. Averell led a raid into Pocahontas County. This raid culminated in the Battle of Droop Mountain, which was the largest and most significant Civil War battle in West Virginia. The Union victory at Droop Mountain helped to secure Union control of the Greenbrier Valley and the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.

After the Battle of Droop Mountain, Pocahontas County remained under Union control for the remainder of the war. However, the county was still subject to Confederate raids.

In addition to its strategic location, Pocahontas County also played a role in the Civil War as a source of supplies for the Confederate army. The county was home to a number of iron furnaces and tanneries, which produced essential materials for the war effort.

Pocahontas County also contributed soldiers to both the Confederate and Union armies. According to the West Virginia Civil War Center, over 1,000 men from Pocahontas County served in the Confederate army, while over 400 men served in the Union army.

The Civil War had a devastating impact on Pocahontas County. The county was occupied by both Union and Confederate armies at various times, and its economy was severely disrupted. The war also resulted in the deaths of many Pocahontas County residents.

Despite the hardships of the Civil War, Pocahontas County emerged from the conflict with a renewed sense of unity and purpose. The county's residents worked together to rebuild their community and create a better future for their children.