HISTORICAL NOTES:
Independent Company B, West Virginia Infantry (also known as a component of the Wheeling Independent Exempt Infantry) was a specialized Union. Raised in the Northern Panhandle, they served as city and capitol guards in Wheeling, West Virginia, for the duration of the war.Unit History & ServiceFormation: Organized in Wheeling, West Virginia, between October 1, 1862, and January 9, 1863, under the command of Captain Robert Hamilton.
The two independent companies (A and B) were predominantly made up of older men or those who were officially exempt from standard front-line military duty.Station: Because Wheeling was the capital of the newly admitted state of West Virginia and the seat of the Restored Government of Virginia, the unit remained stationed there. They performed prison-guard, city-escort, and Capitol Guard duties rather than joining field operations.
Company B was mustered out of service on April 23, 1864. It is the only company for which we have found a roster.
ROSTERS:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 149 men.
HISTORICAL NOTES: