Rowlesburg, at the Cheat River crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in western Virginia, became a prime Confederate target because its bridge and viaducts were critical to Union communications and supply. In 1861, after General George McClellan moved to protect the B&O, Union forces under General Charles E. Hill and Colonel James Irvine fortified Rowlesburg, the railroad bridge and trestles, and the Northwestern Turnpike Bridge. Confederate leaders including Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee regarded breaking the railroad at Cheat River as a major objective, and in 1863 a raid under J.D. Imboden and W.E. "Grumble" Jones advanced toward the area. Jones chose a two-pronged attack, sending Captain Weems and sharpshooters over Palmer's Knob against the east end of the railroad bridge while Colonel Green moved along the river road toward town. Major Showalter organized the defense with soldiers, breastworks, rifle pits, and armed townspeople, and the defenders' fire from the railroad embankment, the hills, and positions near town drove back Weems's force and stopped Green's advance. Efforts to outflank the Union position and cross the river also failed, and the battle ended with Rowlesburg unbroken and the railroad lifeline preserved.