white's national loyalties shifted following the battle of fort sumter and other union encroachments into the confederate states of america, after which white supported the defense of virginia's states' rights and of the united states constitution. white's eldest three sons out of four joined the confederate states army, and white became active in enlisting and arousing support within hampshire county for the confederate states cause. because of his confederate sympathies, white was threatened by occupying union army forces to either vacate his residence in romney or face arrest.