Into Virginia from the North 1861
Romney to Delaplane Tour
In 1861, Federal Troops entered Virginia by four primary routes. On this tour we explore a few events connected with the Northern Route in which the Union crossed the Potomac from Maryland into Western Virginia.
In June of 1861, military actions on the Upper Potomac began when Union troops under General Lew Wallace occupied Cumberland and then routed Confederate troops from Romney.
On July 2, a Federal Force under Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson crossed the Potomac at Williamsport and headed for Martinsburg. They soon skirmished with Confederate troops.
Within a few weeks, Confederates under Gen. Johnston were needed at Manassas Junction. They slipped away from Winchester and along with Thomas J. Jackson's troops, headed for Manassas.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Indian Mound Cemetery, Romney, WV | Lecture Near Hanging Rock | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Darkesville, WV | Paris, VA | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Avoiding raindrops | Delaplane Marker | Delaplane, VA | |
Dr. Poland's book The Glories of War provides a thorough description of the 1861 struggle for western Virginia.
Visit my Civil War book store
See also Too Few Trains by Charlie Harrell