Camp Davis, Near Lynchburg, Va. June 19 th, 1861. John William Howell, David Litkins, and James Madding have deserted from the Floyd Guard, commanded by Capt. Lane, now stationed at this camp.

But that decision had not been popular among all Virginians. On June 11, 1861, delegates from 32 counties in the northwestern corner of the state gathered at a hall in Wheeling to chart an ...