For Virginians, the war between the states was also a war within the state. Brothers like the Craigos fought for the Confederacy and the Union. Many battles were fought on West Virginia soil and the life of soldiers on the battlefield was hard. In addition to weapons and military stories, this discovery room showcases the personal effects that soldiers carried into battle. Examine the medicine chest to see what supplies were available to battlefield doctors.
With early regional maps and a timeline of the Civil War, this discovery room offers some personal, first-hand accounts of Civil War participants and everyday citizens. There are descriptions of some of the battles that occurred on West Virginia soil as well as artifacts from the battlefields like weapons and supplies.
Video courtesy of West Virginia Public Broadcasting; Videographer/Editor: Janet Kunicki; Narrator: Beth Vorhees