Hey everyone, welcome to episode number 71 of our Civil War podcast. I'm Rich.

I'm Tracy. Hello y'all. Thanks for tuning into the podcast. With this episode, we're going to take y'all back to the mountains of Northwest Virginia.

We've already spent some time there, of course, back in episodes 43 and 44 when we talked about the Philippi races in early June 1861 and then the Battle of Rich Mountain, which took place on July 11th.

Those early federal victories out in Northwestern Virginia made a hero of George McClellan.

Although the true worth of McClellan's leadership in the field during that campaign is open to question, nevertheless, because of the perception that McClellan had put in a brilliant performance, Congress on July 16th passed a resolution of thanks to the young general for his service and defense of the Union.

And less than a week later, in the aftermath of the Confederate victory at Manassas, McClellan would be called up to the big leagues. He would be called upon to come to Washington and assume command of the main Union Army.

But while the results of those early fights out in Northwestern Virginia propelled George McClellan onto bigger and better things, the Confederate forces in the area were left scrambling to recover from the defeats they had suffered at the hands of the Yankees.

As y'all will recall, because of the Federal's victory at Rich Mountain, the Confederate commander, Brigadier General Robert Garnett, had abandoned his position at Laurel Hill, but then he was killed a few days later during the subsequent retreat.

Garnett thus has the unfortunate distinction of being the first general officer on either side to be killed in action during the Civil War.

The loss of Garnett, who had been considered an officer of great potential, was a major blow to the Confederates, and after his death, his battered command continued its retreat, moving beyond Cheat Mountain, essentially all but giving up the Western approaches to the Shenandoah Valley.

Upon receiving the sad news of Garnett's death, Robert E. Lee directed Brigadier General Henry R. Jackson of Georgia to assume contemporary command of the Army of the Northwest on July 14th.

At that time, the little Confederate army was composed of about 2,500 men. A week later, Lee dispatched Brigadier General William Wing-Loring to assume command, superseding Jackson.

In the summer of 1861, William Wing-Loring was a soldier of considerable reputation.

Loring's family had moved from North Carolina to Florida when he was a small child, and as a teenager, Loring joined the Florida militia and fought in the Second Seminole War, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

His parents then sent him north to Washington, D.C. to complete his education. After attending Georgetown College, he studied law and was admitted to the Florida Bar.

Loring took an interest in politics and was elected to the Florida State Legislature in the early 1840s.

At the outbreak of the Mexican War, Loring received a captain's commission and commanded a company of mounted rifles. He was promoted to Major shortly before Wendfield Scott's daring campaign to capture Mexico City.

On the march to the enemy capital, Loring took part in all of the major engagements receiving two brevete promotions.

And then at the Battle of Chipoltapec, he was wounded and lost his left arm. Nevertheless, at the end of the war, Loring remained in the regular army and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 1848.

With his regiment, Loring made an epic march from Texas to Oregon in 1849, and then assumed command of the Department of Oregon.

He remained there for two years before being transferred to Texas in 1851. He was promoted to Colonel in 1858.

At the end of 1860, Loring assumed command of the Department of New Mexico, headquartered at Santa Fe. During March 1861, after the secession of Texas, he grew increasingly concerned about the security of his department.

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