Mr. Sturkey,

Interesting point. The earliest example of the term "West Virginia" that I have seen is in a letter written by George B. McClellan on the night of November 29, 1861.

This correspondence, written in Washington, was sent to General Don Carlos Buell in Louisville, Ky.

It says: "...You can count on one thing, viz, that you shall have all I can give you. You have already been informed that twelve regiments have been ordered to you from West Virginia."

O.R.--Series I--Volume 7 [S#7]
Union Correspondence, Etc.--#1