GHENT, WV (WVNS) — On June 3, 1861, the bloodiest war fought on American soil commenced with a bang: the Battle of Philippi ... encouraged those in Western Virginia that wished to secede ...
Hanger was just 18 years old and had been a soldier for less than a week when he was injured during the Battle of Philippi in what is now West Virginia. At a field hospital in a church in downtown ...