How was the state of West Virginia created? (U.S. Civil War)
On 17 Apr 1861, the Va Secession Convention passed an ordinance of
secession (to be ratified by the people). A mass meeting was held in
Clarksburg and called for a Convention of western/unionist counties to
meet in Wheeling. The 1st Wheeling Convention met 13 May 1861 with 425
delegates from 25 counties, it decided to adjourn until after the vote on
the secession ordinance. The ordinance of secession was ratified by
popular vote on 23 May 1861 at which time new legislators were also
elected.
The 2nd Wheeling convention met 11 June 1861 and included the western
counties' members-elect to the VA legis. On 19 June, the convention
passed an ordinance "reorganizing" the state government (creating a
"loyal" one), and on 20 June, Francis Pierpont was chosen governor. On 1
July 1861, the members of the legislature elected on 23 May and some
holdovers from the old legislature met, finished the organization of the
Reorganized state govt., and elected 2 U.S. Senators-- this government
was recognized as legitimate by the U.S.
On 6 Aug, the Wheeling convention reconvened, and on 20 Aug 1861 passed
an ordinance to divide the state. The division ordinance was ratified by
the people on 24 Oct. From 26 Nov 1861 to 18 Feb 1862, the convention
wrote a constitution for the proposed new state which was approved by the
voters on 11 Apr 1862. Lincoln signed the enabling act on 31 Dec 1862
which admitted W.VA on the condition that its constitution include a
provision for the gradual abolition of slavery.
The Convention reconvened yet again, and on 12 Feb 1863 amended
the state constitution to abolish slavery. This amendment was approved by
the voters on 26 Mar 1863. Lincoln proclaimed (on 20 Apr 1863) that W.Va
would officially be admitted in 60 days. During the interval, W VA
elected new officers-- A.I. Boreman was elected 1st governor, and VA
unionist government under Gov. Pierpont was moved to Alexandria. On 20
June 1863, West Virginia was officially admitted to the Union.
In 1866, Virginia repealed the act approving the division, and brought
suit in the U.S. Sup. Crt. to have the division overturned. In
particular, it wanted Berkeley and Jefferson Cos. returned. On 10 Mar
1866, Congress passed a joint resolution approving the previous transfer
of the counties to W.Va. In 1871 the Supreme Court decided in favor of
W.Va., thus settling the matter of division.
Source: Virginia and West Virginia articles in Encyclopaedia
Britannica, 10th ed.