Happy Birthday West Virginia

Statement

This month, our great state marks its 148th birthday. It is a time of celebration, with historical events and reenactments, parades, concerts, and receptions planned in cities and towns across the State.

West Virginia is the only state in our Nation's history to have acquired its autonomy by proclamation of the President, Abraham Lincoln. It is also the only state formed by seceding from its parent state.

Western Virginia became "West Virginia" -- the 35th state in the Union and the 35th star on the flag -- on June 20, 1863.

In the 150th year since the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter, this West Virginia Day will be celebrated amongst the many reminders of our state's rich Civil War history and the prominent historic figures that the war brought to southern West Virginia. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an excellent resource for those who want to learn more.

In 1861, Robert E. Lee's first wartime assignment was in Pocahontas County. He and 15,000 of his troops were there as the Union and Confederate armies vied for control of western Virginia and its strategic railroad lines and prolific farms and salt reserves.

In 1862, two future U.S. presidents fought in behalf of the Union in Mercer County. Confederate troops set fire to the City of Princeton, while Union troops, including Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, tried to rescue the town. The house owned by Dr. Robert McNutt, located at 1522 North Walker Street, survived the burning and remains there to this day.

Not far away in Greenbrier County, the Battle of Lewisburg took place as Union forces, attempting to sever railroad communications between Virginia and Tennessee, repelled an attack by Confederate soldiers, pushing them into Monroe County. The commanding Union colonel, George Crook, would later gain fame in the Indian Wars and for capturing the Apache Chief Geronimo.

The Battles of Carnifax Ferry in Nicholas County and Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County effectively ended efforts by the Confederacy to control western Virginia.

Golden Horseshoe winners and Civil War aficionados undoubtedly could add more, including stories about the home of Confederate Brigadier General Albert Gallatin Jenkins in Cabell County, and the Ramsdell House that was part of the Underground Railroad in Wayne County, along with the Confederate cemetery and battlefields in Fayette County.

It all paints a picture of a State forged in the fires of civil war. West Virginia is said to exemplify the split between brothers, and fathers and sons caused by the War, with many towns and communities divided in their loyalties between the Union and Confederacy, and reports of some soldiers even fighting for one side and then the other.

Today, despite our war-torn beginnings, the opposite is true. West Virginia exemplifies solidarity and unity between families, neighbors, and communities, especially in times of tragedy. That fellowship, along with a deep belief and pious reverence for down to earth values and faith in God, has provided reserves of strength and fortitude that West Virginians continually draw upon in times of need.

In reading about the Civil War history of our State, one can see this spirit of community, along with an independence of character that is captured in a our state motto: "Montani semper liberi" -- Mountaineers are always free.

This West Virginia Day, I encourage my fellow West Virginians to enjoy the historical reenactments and outdoor theater productions and to visit the Civil War battlefields and sites that gave birth to our State.

West Virginia, with all of her lush mountains, rushing rivers, and inspiring history, continues to be a source of strength and wisdom that makes it such a unique and wonderful place to call home.

Happy Birthday West Virginia, and may God continue to bless our beautiful and bountiful State.

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