On April 20, 1863, Confederate Gens. William E. "Grumble" Jones and John D. Imboden began a raid from Virginia through present-day West Virginia on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Taking separate routes, they later reported that they marched 1,100 miles, fought several engagements, captured 700 Federals, seized about 1,200 horses and 4,000 cattle, and burned 4 turnpike bridges, more than 20 railroad bridges, 2 trains, and 150,000 barrels of oil. Most bridges were soon repaired, Confederate losses were slight, and by May 26 both commands had returned to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. On April 26, 1863, as Confederate Gen. William E. Jones's cavalrymen approached Rowlesburg from Grant County, Union Maj. John Showalter's small garrison had to defend two routes into town: the road here and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Cheat River bridge. If either attack succeeded, the rail line to the Ohio River would be cut. On the River Road, now State Route 72, Jones sent 300 men to break through the perimeter defenses. By 2 P.M., they were less than a mile from town near The Cliffs, where Showalter's men had built a log barricade. Union riflemen fired as the Confederate cavalry approached, forcing them back. The Confederates dismounted and attacked with carbines, but again met heavy fire and retreated. Unable to outflank the Federals, who were now reinforced by townspeople, they fought at intervals from 3 P.M. until dark. Jones personally led the last assault, but after seeing his troops stalemated, he ordered them to hold position until dusk and then withdraw to the turnpike before moving on to Morgantown and then Fairmont.