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, leading to numerous engagements between June and December, including Philippi, Rich Mountain, Corricks Ford, Cheat Summit Fort, Carnifex Ferry, and Camp Allegheny. These Union victories enhanced Gen. George B. McClellan's reputation and harmed that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, before that situation reversed in 1862, and despite later Confederate raids, what is now West Virginia remained largely under Federal control for the rest of the war. Late in the summer of 1861, Huntersville became the base camp of Confederate Gen. William W. Loring's Army of the Northwest, from which he launched his unsuccessful campaign against Federal forces at Cheat Summit Fort and Elkwater. Gen. Robert E. Lee camped there for three days during that period. Many soldiers from Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia became ill there; the Presbyterian church served as a hospital, and those who died were buried on the hill south of town. After Loring's troops marched away, Huntersville continued as a Confederate supply depot for the area. On January 3, 1862, a Federal force from Huttonsville, Maj. George Webster's 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, attacked the village. Confederate defenders burned as many stores as they could and retreated east, after which the Federals destroyed the remaining supplies they could not carry and returned to Huttonsville. Before leaving, Webster had the Stars and Stripes nailed to the top of the courthouse. In August and November 1863, Union Gen. William W. Averell marched his army through Huntersville during the two campaigns that led to the Battles of Dry Creek and Droop Mountain.