Company "B" 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry 

 
Image made at Kearney Park 2007 by Wm. Dunniway & Co.

Loyal Virginians for the Union!

Company B of the 7th West Virginia Infantry creates an opportunity for all its members to develop an impression of the "common soldier" during the American Civil War. At events members of the 7th portray an infantry company operating "in the field" on active campaign. Members participate in many activities throughout a public re-enactment weekend to foster and grow this experience. This involve a broad range of daily activities, drawing field rations and other supplies from the brigade commissary, setting up a field camp, participating in Army ceremonies, drill and re-enacted battles plus other activities of a soldier's life as the opportunity presents. As a member unit of the First Provisional Union Brigade of the NCWA, the Seventh participates in re-enactments throughout Northern and Central California on a regular basis. In addition, the unit participates in regional and national events and other public and private activities as decided by the unit membership.



The 7th is looking for able-bodied men throughout Northern California who stand firm against the tyranny of Secession and wish to work to preserve the Union. All potential recruits are encouraged to step forward. Moreover, we encourage all that join us to involve their family members as well. The National Civil War Association Union Brigade has a strong support structure and wives and young children are encouraged to join the Civilian corps which will assist them in developing their own impressions in a town setting. All are welcome to join and participate.


HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH

"From Romney to Appomattox!" That was the proud boast made by the veterans of the Seventh West Virginia Volunteers. From their formation in the summer and fall of 1861 to the end of the Civil War in the spring of 1865, they took part in more major engagements than any other regiment from their State. At first glance the Seventh West Virginia appears very similar to many other regiments raised to fight in the Civil War. A closer look, however, reveals the unique trials and accomplishments of these brave but little known men

The regiment was mustered from Wheeling, Portland, Cameron, Grafton, Morgantown and Greenland; all communities in the northwestern, mountainous section of the State of Virginia. This section of Virginia, having been mostly ignored by the rest of the state since the Revolution, shared none of the enthusiasm for secession exhibited by their more eastern neighbors. After Richmond seceded, these communities formed a "Reorganized Government" for the State of Virginia, which was recognized by the Federal Government as the legal government of the state. Small businessmen and farmers, who were the common folk of the region, signed up to join the Seventh in support of the Union cause.

James Evans, a prominent businessman and politician in Northwestern Virginia, was the man authorized to raise the Regiment for Federal service and became its first Colonel. Assisting Evans in this effort were fellow businessmen John Kelly and Jonathan Lockwood, who were commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel and Major respectively. Before this process was completed, the new regiment saw its first service in an action around Romney at the end of October. Once the Seventh was complete, it defended strategic points throughout the region. Initially assigned to the Railroad District of Western Virginia, the Seventh then became part of the forces operating in the Kawanda and Shenandoah Valleys. The duties that were assigned the troops in this region were threefold: to guard the lines of the B&O Railroad, to protect the region from Confederate forces, and to fight the Confederates in the local areas surrounding Virginia's western pro union counties. It was this service that the Seventh expected and would be typical of the duty most of the regiments formed by Gov. Pierpoint would see. After May of '62 the Seventh would not see it again.

In June of 1862 the Seventh joined the Army of the Potomac. While it was not an active participant in the majority of the actions the Army of the Potomac fought in 1862, the Seventh distinguished themselves at Antietam on September 17. During this pivotal battle, the Seventh alone, lost 145 killed and wounded in four hours. Despite these horrific casualties, they and their fellows regiments, the Fourth and Eighth Ohio and the Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers who made up the solid core of this brigade, held the line. Such heroism earned them their famous nickname of "Gibraltar Brigade".

The Seventh later took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and the Pursuit to Appomattox. In between major battles they had little rest. They were instead deployed in many unnamed small actions and skirmishes. By September of 1863, the regiment was reduced to less then one third of its original size. They were then consolidated into a four company battalion and the extra officers, sergeants and corporals were released from service.

At last in June of 1863, the new state of West Virginia admitted to the Union. The Seventh Virginia was then renamed the Seventh West Virginia Volunteers. . In January of 1864, despite two years of hard campaigning, most of the Seventh's soldiers re-enlisted, earning for themselves the title of Seventh West Virginia Veteran Volunteers.

In all the Seventh compiled a record of service that was unequaled by any other regiment from its State and earned it the nickname of the "Bloody Seventh".

Check out our website at http://www.7wvjustanotherdayin1863.org/index.htm.

For more information about joining the Bloody Seventh contact: