Civil War Historic Marker

West Virginia and Nevada were officially established during the Civil War. West Virginia is the only state formed by citizens creating their own government and seceding from another state, although it is important to note that Virginia had declared that it was part of the Confederate States of America at the time.

Many counties of western Virginia opposed secession. Given the success of Union troops and partisan sentiment in favor of the Union, loyal delegates met in Wheeling to form Restored Government of Virginia, a pro-Union government in opposition to the Confederate government in Richmond. 

In August of 1861, Confederate General Robert E. Lee tried but failed to occupy the western part of Virginia. Union and Confederate armies both campaigned throughout western Virginia in the next few years, guarding rail lines and mountain passes while also launching offensives aimed at controlling key areas and rallying the populace to their side. By June, 1863  the western counties under the control of the Union became the 35th state West Virginia.