EXHIBIT - 23(B)




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of
United Bankshares, Inc. for the registration of up to 3,138,888 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 7, 1995, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Eagle Bancorp, Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



     Charleston, West Virginia
     February 6, 1996