Conflict, Ambivalence, and Hostility Endured

¶ … conflict, ambivalence, and hostility endured by West Virginia residents during its Union occupancy in the Civil War can best be illustrated by the involvement of its female supporters for Confederacy war efforts. Although the Civil War had a great effect on virtually all of the states existent in the United States during its Civil War -- which spanned from 1861 to 1865 -- its effect on the western region of Virginia can be deemed one of the most peculiar.

This assertion can be elucidated by the fact that at the time of the war West Virginia was part of Virginia proper, participated in the South's largely agricultural economy for its economic survival and had several cultural ties that were typically associated with the Confederacy way of life.

However, while West Virginia was initially able to supply many troops which enlisted as part of Virginia's Confederate efforts to wage war against the northern Union loyalists, a series of military engagements won by the North (foremost of which include victories at Randolph County's Rich Mountain and at Corrick's Ford midway through July), rendered West Virginia under the control of the Union for the duration of the war.

The dichotomy which this sudden turn of events presented to the occupants of this state can best be seen in the example of its female participants in the Civil War. Western Virginian's were extremely ambivalent about its Union occupation during this tumultuous time period; in fact many were outright hostile if not violent due to the triumph of the Union in its borders.

Consequently, several Western Virginia women involved themselves in a covert manner in the military efforts of the Confederacy and were employed in various capacities of espionage that including working as spies, guides, and in some cases, even scouts for the efforts of Southern states during the Civil War. The involvement of these women typifies the West Virginia attitude of resistance and resentment of its occupation by Union loyalists during the Civil War. Supporting Arguments I West Virginia's History of Resistance in the Civil War A.

In 1861 West Virginia succumbs to Union loyalists and fosters resentment to the North and solidifies its allegiance to the Confederacy. B. The efforts of Stonewall Jackson in Western Virginia and Virginia proper are considerably supported by women supporters, properly detailed below. II Nancy Hart A. Hart became involved with the Mocassin Rangers until 1862 as a spy, scout and guide who saved the lives of several Confederate soldiers. B. Hart was actively sought after and imprisoned for her success with the Confederacy. C.

Hart escaped prison and killed a guard to resume her martial activities with the Confederacy. III Isabelle "Belle" Boyd A. Boyd came from a long lineage of Confederacy supporters as her father was enlisted in Confederate militia and three of her family members were.