The Civil War in Lee County, Virginia: Spring and Summer of 1862

The year 1862 marked a turning point in the Civil War, particularly in southwestern Virginia, as both Union and Confederate forces competed for control of the mountainous terrain along the Cumberland Gap. Lee County, located at the western tip of Virginia, became a strategic area of interest due to its proximity to this key passage. While not the site of major battles, Lee County witnessed significant military activity during the spring and summer of 1862, as Union raiding parties, Confederate defenses, and the local civilian population were all swept up in the broader conflict.

Union Strategy in 1862

The Union's objective in the region was clear: to gain control of the Cumberland Gap, a critical passage through the Appalachian Mountains that provided access to the South through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Control of this area would not only allow the Union Army to disrupt Confederate supply lines but also to launch incursions deeper into the South. The Gap was referred to as the "Gibraltar of America" for its strategic importance, and by early 1862, Union commanders had made it a priority.

Under the leadership of General George W. Morgan, Union forces began moving southward from Kentucky, seeking to push Confederate troops from the area. By June 1862, Morgan’s troops had successfully occupied the Cumberland Gap, giving the Union a critical foothold in the region. This occupation, however, did not come without resistance, as Confederate forces sought to defend their territories and slow Union advances.

Confederate Defense of Lee County

For the Confederacy, maintaining control of southwestern Virginia, including Lee County, was essential for defending supply routes and maintaining a strategic presence in the mountainous terrain. Confederate forces, including regular troops and local militias like the Home Guard, were charged with defending the region from Union incursions. Due to the rugged terrain and the nature of the fighting, military engagements in Lee County were often small-scale skirmishes rather than full battles, but they were vital for slowing Union advances.

One of the most notable figures in the Confederate defense of Lee County in 1862 was General Humphrey Marshall, a Mexican-American War veteran commander tasked with countering Union forces in the area. Marshall’s forces were often engaged in guerrilla-style warfare, defending the roads and passes of the Appalachian Mountains. His defense of Lee County included several skirmishes along the Wilderness Road, a key route that connected the county to Cumberland Gap. Marshall’s campaign was part of a broader Confederate effort to secure the region and block Union attempts to penetrate deeper into Virginia.

The Pursuit of Garfield

A significant aspect of military activity in Lee County during this time was the movement of General James A. Garfield, who commanded Union forces in the region. In early 1862, Garfield’s troops had clashed with Marshall’s forces in Kentucky, and throughout the year, the two commanders found themselves in a game of cat-and-mouse across southwestern Virginia. One of their notable engagements took place along the Wilderness Road as Garfield, attempting to avoid a full confrontation, led his forces through Lee County, with Marshall in pursuit. The skirmishes that followed highlighted the contested nature of the region and the significance of even small movements and maneuvers in the broader war effort.

Garfield’s evasion of Marshall’s forces through areas such as Jonesville and Pennington Gap added to the strategic tension in the region. For the Confederates, maintaining control of these areas meant safeguarding vital supply lines and protecting their position in the Cumberland Gap, while for Union forces, these skirmishes were steps toward securing the Gap and gaining dominance over the region.

The Civilian Experience in Lee County

For the civilian population of Lee County, the war brought considerable hardship. As Union raiding parties moved through the region, local farms were often requisitioned for supplies, livestock, and food to sustain the Union troops. Confederate forces also relied heavily on the support of local civilians, often requisitioning supplies for their defense efforts. This back-and-forth, combined with the constant threat of skirmishes and raids, disrupted daily life in Lee County and strained its resources.

The presence of military forces also made the region unsafe for non-combatants, who found themselves caught between two armies. The war’s impact on agriculture, trade, and infrastructure further devastated the local economy, leading to shortages and hardship for many in the community. Lee County, though far from the major battlefields of the war, felt the full weight of the conflict as both sides sought to control its key passageways.

Strategic Significance of Lee County

Though not as widely recognized as larger Civil War battlefields, Lee County’s location made it a critical area for both Union and Confederate forces. The Wilderness Road, which ran through Lee County and connected to the Cumberland Gap, was a vital route for moving troops and supplies. The rugged terrain and its proximity to other key Confederate strongholds made it a natural target for Union raids and a priority for Confederate defense.

The spring and summer of 1862 set the stage for continued military activity in Lee County. As Union forces solidified their hold on Cumberland Gap, the Confederacy made repeated efforts to retake the region, resulting in ongoing skirmishes and raids. Lee County’s experience in 1862 serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle for control of strategic mountain passes in the Appalachian region, highlighting the complex and localized nature of the war in this part of Virginia.

The Civil War in Lee County during the spring and summer of 1862 was characterized by strategic movements, skirmishes, and the struggle for control of key routes like the Wilderness Road and the Cumberland Gap. Though not a major battlefield, the county’s location made it a contested space, with both Union and Confederate forces vying for dominance. The war’s impact on the local population, combined with the military significance of the region, illustrates the far-reaching consequences of the conflict in even the most remote corners of Virginia.




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Written by Terry Gunnell-Beck, 30th Battalion Virginia Sharpshooters Reenacting Group