Virginia is the home to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and many more people. John Smith, John Rolfe, and Pocahauntus are some unfamiliar people but play a big part in VIRGINIA. During the Civil War (1861-65), the city of Richmond, Virginia, became the capital of the Confederacy, and more than half of the conflict’s battles were fought in the state. 20% of the population were slaves. some were indentured slaves for tobacco.