Remembering the Battle of Philippi: The Civil War in West Virginia

GHENT, WV (WVNS) — On June 3, 1861, the bloodiest war fought on American soil commenced with a bang: the Battle of Philippi, also known as the “Philippi Races.”

The battle is commonly considered the first land battle of the Civil War, though it is viewed as more of a skirmish than the like of Antietam or Bull Run. The name “Philippi Races” came from the swift and intense retreat on the Confederate side of the battle.

As it opened the conflict that would span the next four years, this clash between Union and Confederate forces was rather small in scale, especially because the number of men involved only totaled out to approximately 3,800.

The Battle of Philippi, despite it taking place in the infancy of the Civil War, proved to be consequential. Although the casualty rate was low, 4 killed or injured on the Union side and 26 killed or injured on the Confederates’ behalf, there was one injured man who would influence the lives of amputees.

James Edward Hanger, only 18 years old, fought on the Confederate side of the conflict at Philippi. Hanger, who was struck by a cannonball below the knee, would be remembered as the first amputee of the American Civil War. Hanger was granted a patent for his prosthetic limb design, and founded Hanger, Inc., a company dedicated to the production and supply of prostheses. Over a century and a half later, the company is still in operation.

Union General McClellan, also known as “Young Napoleon,” was promoted to the command post of the Army of the Potomac shortly after the battle. It also encouraged those in Western Virginia that wished to secede from Virginia and gain statehood.

It was not the largest skirmish in the area, only the first, as the battles of Carnifex Ferry, Rich Mountain, Corrick’s Ford, Droop Mountain, and more lingered on the horizon. The ferocious opening battle of the American Civil War foreshadowed the decimation to come.

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