ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PASSED AT THE REGULAR SESSION, HELD DEC

(WEST VIRGINIA-CIVIL WAR) VIRGINIA (WEST VIRGINIA). LAWS. ACTS OF THE GENER ASSEMBLY, PASSED AT THE REGULAR SESSION, HELD DECEMBER SECOND, 1861, AT THE C OF WHEELING. Wheeling, (West) Virginia: Daily Press Book and Job Office, 1862. 8vo. Publishers quarter calf, marbled paper boards. 111 pages. First edition. Scarce item on West Virginia Civil War history. At the beginning of 1861, wh the Southern states were making their decisions on whether to succeed from th Union, it was not always a unanimous decision. After the start of war in Apr even Virginia was hesitant until Lincoln declared a state of war and the call troops forcing each state to declare their allegiance. At which time the Virginia General Assembly voted to secede and join the Confederacy. However, the far western portions of the state which now comprise West Virginia were largely in disagreement with Richmond and wanted to remain in the Union. Wit major occupation of the western region by Union troops in 1861 a referendum w held which gave the western counties a majority to remain in the Union. It l to a curious state of affairs with "Two Virginias"-- the major part of the st in the Confederacy and the western counties in the Union. Each portion claim to be the "Real Virginia." By 1862 the western counties declared themselves sovereign state with their own governor and legislature with their state capi in Alexandria across from Washington -- then fully occupied by Union troops. 1863 the state of West Virginia was declared a legal entity and admitted to t Union by Lincoln. When this set of laws passed by the legislature was publis in 1862 they still declared themselves as Virginia, but it is one of the earliest published Acts of Assembly for the new state of West Virginia. Fron end leaves missing, else complete. Spine worn, boards rubbed, else very good.