Today in Wheeling History: August 30 -- Dr. Joseph Thoburn, former surgeon of the recently mustered-out 1st Virginia Infantry (Union), begins organizing a new three-year regiment of the same name in Wheeling (1861).
In the early months of 1861, tensions between the North and South escalated rapidly, culminating in the outbreak of the American Civil War. Following the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, both sides began mobilizing troops and organizing military units. In May 1861, Joseph Thoburn, an Irish-born physician living in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), enlisted as a surgeon in the 1st Virginia Infantry, a three-month regiment under Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley.
The 1st Virginia Infantry participated in early engagements, including the Battle of Philippi in June 1861, where Thoburn treated wounded soldiers, including Colonel Kelley himself. As the initial three-month enlistments came to an end in August 1861, many regiments, including the 1st Virginia, were reorganized for three-year terms of service.
On August 30, 1861, with Colonel Kelley still recovering from his wounds, Joseph Thoburn was commissioned as the new colonel of the reorganized 1st Virginia Infantry. This promotion marked a significant shift in Thoburn's military career, transitioning him from a medical role to a combat leadership position.
Following his appointment, Colonel Thoburn led the 1st Virginia Infantry through numerous battles and engagements in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley during 1862 and 1863. His leadership and bravery earned him increasing responsibilities, eventually leading to his command of a division in the VIII Corps during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 under General Philip Sheridan. Thoburn's military service continued until his untimely death at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. His body was returned to Wheeling for a large public funeral, with a military escort accompanying him to Mt. Wood Cemetery. The funeral procession included city officers, council members, medical faculty, and many citizens, reflecting the high regard in which he was held.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/en3eh) (https://shorturl.at/4uXF7) (Today in Wheeling History: August 30 -- Dr. Joseph Thoburn, former surgeon of the recently mustered-out 1st Virginia Infantry (Union), begins organizing a new three-year regiment of the same name in Wheeling (1861).
In the early months of 1861, tensions between the North and South escalated rapidly, culminating in the outbreak of the American Civil War. Following the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, both sides began mobilizing troops and organizing military units. In May 1861, Joseph Thoburn, an Irish-born physician living in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), enlisted as a surgeon in the 1st Virginia Infantry, a three-month regiment under Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley.
The 1st Virginia Infantry participated in early engagements, including the Battle of Philippi in June 1861, where Thoburn treated wounded soldiers, including Colonel Kelley himself. As the initial three-month enlistments came to an end in August 1861, many regiments, including the 1st Virginia, were reorganized for three-year terms of service.
On August 30, 1861, with Colonel Kelley still recovering from his wounds, Joseph Thoburn was commissioned as the new colonel of the reorganized 1st Virginia Infantry. This promotion marked a significant shift in Thoburn's military career, transitioning him from a medical role to a combat leadership position.
Following his appointment, Colonel Thoburn led the 1st Virginia Infantry through numerous battles and engagements in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley during 1862 and 1863. His leadership and bravery earned him increasing responsibilities, eventually leading to his command of a division in the VIII Corps during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 under General Philip Sheridan. Thoburn's military service continued until his untimely death at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. His body was returned to Wheeling for a large public funeral, with a military escort accompanying him to Mt. Wood Cemetery. The funeral procession included city officers, council members, medical faculty, and many citizens, reflecting the high regard in which he was held.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/en3eh) (https://shorturl.at/4uXF7) (https://shorturl.at/LtNWL)
Photo credits: Find a Grave
In the early months of 1861, tensions between the North and South escalated rapidly, culminating in the outbreak of the American Civil War. Following the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, both sides began mobilizing troops and organizing military units. In May 1861, Joseph Thoburn, an Irish-born physician living in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), enlisted as a surgeon in the 1st Virginia Infantry, a three-month regiment under Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley.
The 1st Virginia Infantry participated in early engagements, including the Battle of Philippi in June 1861, where Thoburn treated wounded soldiers, including Colonel Kelley himself. As the initial three-month enlistments came to an end in August 1861, many regiments, including the 1st Virginia, were reorganized for three-year terms of service.
On August 30, 1861, with Colonel Kelley still recovering from his wounds, Joseph Thoburn was commissioned as the new colonel of the reorganized 1st Virginia Infantry. This promotion marked a significant shift in Thoburn's military career, transitioning him from a medical role to a combat leadership position.
Following his appointment, Colonel Thoburn led the 1st Virginia Infantry through numerous battles and engagements in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley during 1862 and 1863. His leadership and bravery earned him increasing responsibilities, eventually leading to his command of a division in the VIII Corps during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 under General Philip Sheridan. Thoburn's military service continued until his untimely death at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. His body was returned to Wheeling for a large public funeral, with a military escort accompanying him to Mt. Wood Cemetery. The funeral procession included city officers, council members, medical faculty, and many citizens, reflecting the high regard in which he was held.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/en3eh) (https://shorturl.at/4uXF7) (Today in Wheeling History: August 30 -- Dr. Joseph Thoburn, former surgeon of the recently mustered-out 1st Virginia Infantry (Union), begins organizing a new three-year regiment of the same name in Wheeling (1861).
In the early months of 1861, tensions between the North and South escalated rapidly, culminating in the outbreak of the American Civil War. Following the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, both sides began mobilizing troops and organizing military units. In May 1861, Joseph Thoburn, an Irish-born physician living in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), enlisted as a surgeon in the 1st Virginia Infantry, a three-month regiment under Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley.
The 1st Virginia Infantry participated in early engagements, including the Battle of Philippi in June 1861, where Thoburn treated wounded soldiers, including Colonel Kelley himself. As the initial three-month enlistments came to an end in August 1861, many regiments, including the 1st Virginia, were reorganized for three-year terms of service.
On August 30, 1861, with Colonel Kelley still recovering from his wounds, Joseph Thoburn was commissioned as the new colonel of the reorganized 1st Virginia Infantry. This promotion marked a significant shift in Thoburn's military career, transitioning him from a medical role to a combat leadership position.
Following his appointment, Colonel Thoburn led the 1st Virginia Infantry through numerous battles and engagements in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley during 1862 and 1863. His leadership and bravery earned him increasing responsibilities, eventually leading to his command of a division in the VIII Corps during the Valley Campaigns of 1864 under General Philip Sheridan. Thoburn's military service continued until his untimely death at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. His body was returned to Wheeling for a large public funeral, with a military escort accompanying him to Mt. Wood Cemetery. The funeral procession included city officers, council members, medical faculty, and many citizens, reflecting the high regard in which he was held.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/en3eh) (https://shorturl.at/4uXF7) (https://shorturl.at/LtNWL)
Photo credits: Find a Grave
RSS Feed
