In the spring of 1861, Union forces moved into northwestern Virginia to secure the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, protect important turnpikes, and support Unionists against Confederates, as many residents there remained loyal to the Union despite still being part of Virginia. By late May, Union Gen. George B. McClellan, commanding the Department of the Ohio, ordered troops across the Ohio River to secure western Virginia for the Union, and during June and July 1861 his army won early Union victories at Philippi, the war’s first land battle, Rich Mountain, and Corricks Ford. After the debacle at Manassas, Virginia, McClellan was called to Washington on July 22 to take command of the Army of the Potomac. At that time, Federal troops occupied western Virginia while loyal delegates met in Wheeling to form the Restored Government of Virginia in opposition to the Confederate government in Richmond. By August 1861, Confederate forces threatened these gains, and Gen. Robert E. Lee’s attempt to reclaim western Virginia failed with Southern defeats at Cheat Summit Fort, Carnifex Ferry, and Camp Allegheny before year’s end. This first campaign established McClellan’s reputation, damaged Lee’s, and proved decisive when the western counties under Union control became the new state of West Virginia in 1863.