Clarification about casualties at Philippi.

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

From Wiki " Philippi was the first organized land action in the war[9] (the impromptu Battle of Fairfax Court House, two days earlier, could not be counted as such), and Union victory IN THIS RELATIVELY BLOODLESS BATTLE propelled McClellan into the national spotlight. The Northern press, hungry for battle stories, presented it as an epic triumph, encouraging politicians to demand the big advance on Richmond, which became Bull Run. It also inspired more vocal protests in the Western part of Virginia against secession. A few days later, pro-Unionists at the Wheeling Convention nullified the Virginia ordinance of secession and named Francis H. Pierpont governor. "

When I read that I was confused because the casualty report says other wise.

"Casualties and losses"
"4 killed or wounded USA 26 killed or wounded CSA."


That's hardly "bloodless." Can someone clear this up for me? Thank you ahed of time
Link here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Philippi_(West_Virginia)​

 

[19thOhio]

My source is Rebels at the Gate by W. Hunter Lesser. In Chapter 6, The Philippi Races, Lesser states:

"In fact, there were a grand total of five wounded Federals, two crippled Confederates, and a handful of prisoners at Philippi."

Before this comment Lesser describes the extravagated newspaper accounts and "nearly one hundred new graves" covered around Philippi." (Fake news. If it bleeds, it leads, etc.) He also tells how (citing a report by Ambrose Bierce, a reporter on site) how federal officer Kelly was wounded and expected to die but fully recovered to lead another day. Included also is the story of James E. Hanger losing a leg and his making an artificial leg to replace one he lost in the "battle."

I purchased the book at the Beverly museum and it seems to be the best book describing the early conflict in western Virginia.

This, then, leads to the first real battle between organized unites of both sides, the Battle of Rich Mountain.

 

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

My source is Rebels at the Gate by W. Hunter Lesser. In Chapter 6, The Philippi Races, Lesser states:

"In fact, there were a grand total of five wounded Federals, two crippled Confederates, and a handful of prisoners at Philippi."

Before this comment Lesser describes the extravagated newspaper accounts and "nearly one hundred new graves" covered around Philippi." (Fake news. If it bleeds, it leads, etc.) He also tells how (citing a report by Ambrose Bierce, a reporter on site) how federal officer Kelly was wounded and expected to die but fully recovered to lead another day. Included also is the story of James E. Hanger losing a leg and his making an artificial leg to replace one he lost in the "battle."

I purchased the book at the Beverly museum and it seems to be the best book describing the early conflict in western Virginia.

This, then, leads to the first real battle between organized unites of both sides, the Battle of Rich Mountain.

Awesome! Thanks man, I thought the numbers from the Wiki page seemed erroneous, I believe they are.

 

[James N.]

From Wiki " Philippi was the first organized land action in the war[9] (the impromptu Battle of Fairfax Court House, two days earlier, could not be counted as such), and Union victory IN THIS RELATIVELY BLOODLESS BATTLE propelled McClellan into the national spotlight. The Northern press, hungry for battle stories, presented it as an epic triumph, encouraging politicians to demand the big advance on Richmond, which became Bull Run. It also inspired more vocal protests in the Western part of Virginia against secession. A few days later, pro-Unionists at the Wheeling Convention nullified the Virginia ordinance of secession and named Francis H. Pierpont governor. "

When I read that I was confused because the casualty report says other wise.

"Casualties and losses"
"4 killed or wounded USA 26 killed or wounded CSA."


That's hardly "bloodless." Can someone clear this up for me? Thank you ahed of time
Link here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Philippi_(West_Virginia)​

The key word there is relatively not bloodless; despite the number of casualties (small by any measure) the action had an effect all-out-of-proportion to the numbers involved, especially when judged by later events like Manassas and Shiloh.

 

[James Brenner]

And wiki is a conduit. It is not a source.

 

[19thOhio]

I checked the reference the Wiki article stated, 2a,b NPS Battle Summary, but the site couldn't be reached.

Would NPS be National Park Service? Might that have been from Official Battle Reports?

Lesser cites O. R. vol.2, 67-68.

 

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

And wiki is a conduit. It is not a source.

That's a good point.

 

[Kentucky Derby Cavalier.]

I checked the reference the Wiki article stated, 2a,b NPS Battle Summary, but the site couldn't be reached.

Would NPS be National Park Service? Might that have been from Official Battle Reports?

Lesser cites O. R. vol.2, 67-68.

I dunno, but what was being reported seemed fishy, lol.