The State of Virginia gave this? Remember, even though Virginia seceded, that was NOT recognized by the Federales. The states "in rebellion" were still 100% states in the Union.
I did not know that Virginia voted to allow its western counties to secede. Thanks for the info.
Well, now, that is a matter of interpretation of the facts. In February 1861, a convention convened in Richmond to determine Virginia's course in the impending crisis.
After Mr. Lincoln took office on March 4, 1861, a vote was taken and the prevalent sentiment at that time was to remain in the Union. It was only after he asked for 75,000 troops that another vote was taken. On April 17, 1861, 88 delegates voted to repeal the Commonwealth's 1788 act of ratification of the U.S. Constitution. 55 delegates were opposed, with the final result to be put to a popular vote, which was held in May.
Some of the 55 delegates who opposed repeal of the ratification moved to Wheeling and reconvened the convention. Some who opposed secession remained loyal to Virginia. At any rate, this Wheeling Convention, declared itself the legitimate government of Virginia, elected a rival governor, Francis Pierpont (Union) versus John Letcher (Confederate). Whether the Wheeling COnvention was the legimate government or not, probably depends on ones point of view, but it was never elected for that purpose.
At any rate, members of the Wheeling Convention represented counties in what was then Northwestern Virginia, counties along the Ohio River wedged up between Pennsylvania and Ohio. A call went out for more delegates, and some men appointed themselves. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad appointed a couple. The B&ORR wanted all of its line in Union territory, and it appointed delegates for Berkeley, Jefferson and Charles Counties, which are now in West Virginia. In what is now Southern West Virginia, a fellow named William Walker, who had been commonwealth's attorney for Wyoming County, and under indictment for several crimes, appointed himself delegate for several counties in what is now Southern West Virginia. (This is to show the credibility of the claims for legitimacy of the Wheeling Convention). One of the counties Walker claimed to represent, Monroe, had voted in the May 1861 referendum to seceed by a vote of 1101 to 7. That is seven. Other votes were closer, but many were not much closer.
At any rate, this convention representing itself as the legimate government of Virginia voted to divide the state, which was accomplished in 1863. Arthur I. Boreman was then elected governor of West Virginia in areas under control of the Union Army.
The state of West Virginia has put out numerous publications justifying these actions and touting the number of soldiers that entered the U.S. Army from that state. All bogus. West Virginia put about 30 regiments in the U.S. Army during the war, which normally would represent about 36,000 men. If one examines the service records of these fellows, which I have, one will discovered that more than half of them were from places other than West Virginia. For example the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was credited to West Virginia, but 90+% of its soldiers were residents of Ohio. The 14th West Virginia Cavalry were about the same percentage residents of Pennsylvania. In their official publications the State of West Virginia claims that about 15,000 men from its territory were in the Confederate service. Again from examining the service records, one discovers that this total is nearer to 30,000.
Oh, after the Virgiia/West Virginia separation, Pierpont continued to serve as governor of loyal Virginia. Never mind that loyal Virginia never had any representation in the U.S. Congress. Pierpont basically had control of the Eastern Shore of Virginia (under Federal occupation); Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince William Counties, likewise under Federal Occupation.
No criticism of anyone is intended, but one does not learn history by reading. One learns it by researching it. American History textbooks are often so inaccurate as to be embarrassing. But that is a topic for another time, I suppose.
Bottom line -- is West Virginia a legimately constituted state. The Supreme Court says it is. The issue was litigated for years. But is it really? Probably not.
It is like the North Carolina-Virginia boundary dispute. The official charters state that the boundary should be 36 degrees 30 minutes north. When the line was surveyed the fellows had their insturments slightly off, and the boundary is north of the official line. The Supreme Court decided that yes, the line is too far north, but it would cause more trouble than it would solve to fix it at this late date.
Jeff
