4th WV Infantry

The 4th Regiment West Virginia Volunteer was organized at Macon City, Point Pleasant and Grafton West Virginia, June 17 to August 22 1861. Served unattached District of Kanawha WV to March 1862.Co A had a skirmish at Grafton WV Aug 13 1861. Operations in Kanawha Valley and New River Region Oct.19-November 1861. Mill Creek Mills Oct 26. At Ceredo, Wayne County until Jan 1862.
Marched to Louisa Court House and operating with Garfield in operations against Humphrey Marshall in Eastern Kentucky January 1862.March up the Kanawha Valley to join Gen. Cox April 3. At Flat Top Mountain until August. Operations around Wyoming Court House Aug 2-8.Co.H and I at Wyoming Court House Aug 5. Beech Creek Aug 6 Logan County. Skirmish Beech Creek Aug 6 Major Hall and Lt. McMasters and fifty were attacked while eating dinner by Major Witcher and 275 mounted men. Major Hall and 2 of his men were killed and 8 wounded and had 4 captured. The Confederates lost Major Witcher and two other officers wounded and one man killed and 8 wounded. Lt.McMasters arrived at camp 15 August after much fatigue and hunger having lived off berries for four days. On the 17 August Col. Lightburn was placed in command of the District of Kanawha. Campaign in the Kanawha Valley September 2-16. September 10 repulse of Gen.Loring at Fayetteville. September 16 Gen.Loring and 9000 men surrounded Fayetteville and Co.B, G and H reached Fayetteville entering the town without a shot being fired. That night as they left the town the rear of the command was attacked and suffered tremendously. During the retreat and fighting over the next three days at Cotton Hill and Charleston Sept 11, Gauley Ferry Sept 11, Gauley Bridge Sept 12. Charleston Sept 12-13. During this period forty were killed, wounded and missing. At Point Pleasant until Oct 19.Bulltown , Braxton Co. Oct 3. Salt Lick Bridge Oct 14. Expedition up the Kanawha Valley to Charleston Oct 21-Nov 10. At Fayetteville until Dec 30. On the Dec 29 joined the 30th, 37th and 47th Regiments Ohio Infantry with Gen. Ewing commanding and were ordered to Napoleon Arkansas and attached to the Army of the Tennessee.

Then ordered to Young's Point Louisiana and arrived Jan 21 1863 and remained there until March. The 4th was assigned to the Third Brigade 2nd Division 15th Army Corps under Sherman. April and March assisted in the attempted building of the Desoto Canal close to Vicksburg. Morale was low due to the muddy work conditions and a small pox outbreak. The project was abandoned as a failure mid March due to flooding and the troops were fired on as they neared the Confederate batteries at Warrenton. Expeditions to Rolling Fork via Muddy, Steele's and Black Bayous and Deer Creek March 14-27. At Milliken's Bend, Mississippi until April.Expedition to Black Bayou April 5-10. Demonstrations against Haynes and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2 under Sherman. Moved to join the 15th Corp in the rear of Vicksburg via Richmond and Grand Gulf and marching 100 miles in three days to participate in the Siege of Vicksburg. The 4th at 400 strong participated on the assaults of Champion Hill May 19 and 22. Here the fighting was severe as they attacked the Confederate works. The 4th had 150 men killed and wounded in the first 10 minutes of battle.The 4th was ever present during the Siege of Champion Hill always in the trenches or part of the storming parties. They were still at Vicksburg on July 4th for the surrender of Vicksburg. July 5 left Vicksburg and were under Sherman for the advance on Jackson Mississippi July 5-10. Participated in the Siege of Jackson July 10-17 and the capturing July 17. At Big River until Sept 26. Moved to Memphis Tennessee and on to Chattanooga Sept 26-November 20. Crossed the Tennessee River by pontoon boats night of Sept 23. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama Oct 20-29.Brier Creek,Tuscumbia Alabama Oct 27. Engaged Confederate cavalry led by Gen. Forsyth, S.D. Lee and Ruddy. Here the 4th drove a cavalry line a mile across an open field. Chattanooga-Ringold Campaign Nov 23-27, Tunnel Hill Nov 23-24. The 4th participated in the Battle of Chattanooga and was part of the famous assault of Missionary Ridge losing fifteen men Nov 25. Nov 26-27 pursuit to Graysville.Marched to relief Burnside in Knoxville Tennessee Nov 28- Dec. Ordered back to Larkinsville Alabama Jan 7 1864. From Oct 1863 to Jan 1864 the 4th was constantly marching or fighting. For four weeks lived entirely off the land. The mile marched during this period was 975.

The 4th Regiment West Virginia Infantry re-enlisted as veterans Feb 3 1864. Those not re-enlisted were consolidated with the 8th Missouri. The 4th as Veterans were on furlough March 15-May 3. Joined Hunter at Cedar Creek WV-May. Hunter Expedition to Lynchburg VA may 26-July 1. Piedmont, Mt. Crawford June 5. Occupation of Staunton June 6 Lynchburg June 17-18. Retreat to Martinsburg June 18-July 1. Moved to the Shenandoah Valley, Snicker's Gap July 17-18. Here the 4th lost 4 officers and 30 men killed or wounded. Kernstown or Winchester July 24. At Winchester the 4th lost 2 officers and 16 men.
Shenandoah Valley Campaign Aug-Sept. At Cedar Creek Aug 13 and was highly complimented by Division Commander Col. Thoburn. Berryville Sept 3. At Stephhenson's Depot until Dec. Moved to Cumberland MD. Consolidated with the 1st West Virginia Infantry Dec 21 1864 to form the 2nd Regiment West Virginia Veteran Infantry. The 4th Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry lost during service 3 officers and 80 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 156 enlisted men to disease for a total of 241.