In the spring of 1861, Union forces entered northwestern Virginia to secure the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, protect important turnpikes, and support Unionists against Confederates. Between June and December, the two sides fought numerous engagements, 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 damaged that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, though that situation reversed in 1862. Despite later Confederate raids, today's West Virginia remained largely under Federal control for the rest of the war. At Corricks Ford on July 13, 1861, Confederate Robert S. Garnett became the first general killed in the Civil War. Two days earlier, on July 11, 1861, Union Gen. George McClellan's forces had defeated part of Garnett's command at Rich Mountain, one of the first important Union victories of the war. Garnett's men had held the area around Beverly, where the Beverly and Fairmont and the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpikes met. After learning of the Union victory, Garnett and his 4,000 men abandoned Laurel Hill early the next morning. They first marched toward Beverly, but fearing their escape route was blocked, Garnett ordered a northeast march to circle back to safety. In a driving summer rain, with Federal forces pursuing, the army wagons struggled over the narrow mountain traces of Pheasant Mountain. The Confederates threw away tents, camp furniture, and supplies to lighten their load and obstruct the path as the retreat continued through the night and into the next day. On July 13, 1,800 Federals under Capt. Henry W. Benham caught Garnett's rear guard at Corricks Ford, a river crossing on the Shavers Fork of Cheat River. Garnett was killed while trying to delay the Federal pursuit, and after the bloody engagement the Confederates scattered, leaving their dead, a cannon, and most of their wagons stalled in the river.