Maneuvers and battles in Virginia prior to the Battle of First Manassas were centered around control of major waterways. Virginia had three main waterways that defined its antebellum borders: the Ohio, Potomac, and Chesapeake rivers. Whoever controlled these rivers could rapidly transport troops and supplies and prevent the enemy from crossing over into friendly territory.
The Union quickly grasped the importance of controlling these waterways, while the Virginia militia and Confederate military did not. It was a costly mistake. With a broad mission to protect the Ohio River, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan struck deep into northwestern Virginia in early summer 1861, scattering Confederate forces there. From Fort Monroe in southeastern Virginia, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler sought to control the Chesapeake Bay, and in the north, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson and Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell crossed the Potomac to seize a foothold and protect Washington, DC.
So far, I’ve identified 27 separate engagements in Virginia prior to the Battle of First Manassas (this includes territory that became West Virginia), and have separated them into three general geographic fronts, named after these principal waterways. This helps clarify the broader role each engagement played in early Civil War Virginia. The following chart lists the engagements, their dates, and locations on the Ohio Front.
Ohio
| Battle/Engagement/Skirmish | Date | Present-Day County |
|---|---|---|
| Action at Philippi | Monday, June 3, 1861 | Barbour County, WV |
| Action at Righter’s House | Friday, June 21, 1861 | Harrison County, WV |
| Action at Bowman’s Place | Sat., June 29, 1861 | ??? |
| Skirmish at Middle Fork Bridge | Sat., July 6 to Sun., July 7, 1861 | Upshur County, WV |
| Battle of Bellington/Laurel Hill | Sun., July 7 to Thurs., July 11, 1861 | Barbour County, WV |
| Skirmish at Glenville | Sunday, July 7, 1861 | Gilmer County, WV |
| Battle of Rich Mountain | Thursday, July 11, 1861 | Randolph County, WV |
| Battle of Corrick’s Ford | Saturday, July 13, 1861 | Tucker County, WV |
| Engagement at Barboursville | Saturday, July 13, 1861 | Cabell County, WV |
| Battle of Scary Creek | Wednesday, July 17, 1861 | Putnam County, WV |
Spirit of '61 