Seeking a foothold in Western Virginia for military operations, Gen. John B. Floyd, C.S.A., with about 1,800 troops established Camp Gauley on the Patterson Farm about one mile from Carnifex Ferry. Gen. William Rosecrans, U.S.A., with nearly 7,000 troops, was ordered from Clarksburg to march on Floyd. On the afternoon of Sept. 10, 1861, Federal forces came in sight of Camp Gauley and the battle began. Rosecrans used only part of his forces in the attack, and the well-entrenched Confederates successfully drove back the Yankee troops. As darkness approached, Rosecrans chose to wait until morning before launching a major offensive. Floyd then reassessed his situation and decided to withdraw across the river during the night rather than face a superior force in the morning, accomplishing the maneuver without alerting Union troops. The next morning, Federal forces moved into Camp Gauley without incident, securing a vital line for the Union and enabling the movement for West Virginia statehood to proceed. Although Rosecrans could rightfully claim victory, the North lost more men than the South in the battle: Federal casualties were over 130, with 28 killed, while Southern losses were near 30, with no reported fatalities.