The Governor's Pawns: Hostages and Hostage-Taking in Civil War West Virginia

Abstract

Throughout the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces engaged in guerrilla warfare throughout the border states. With the emergence of this activity, non-combatants often found themselves as the principal targets; particularly in regard to hostage-taking. Both sides engaged in this practice for a variety of reasons, however, for the newly formed state of West Virginia, the taking of hostages became crucial for the survival of the state. In The Governor’s Pawn, Randall S. Gooden—native of West Virginia and professor of history at Clayton State University—illustrates the unique hostage policy adopted by West Virginia and how it proved vital in the state’s experience in the Civil War.