After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, McClellan distinguished himself in the Mexican War. When the Civil War began, he returned to duty as a Major General in command of the Ohio volunteers. It was in this capacity that he faced Robert Garnett’s Confederate forces in western Virginia in 1861.

Preferring to win “by maneuvering rather than by fighting,” McClellan divided his army between Rich Mountain and Laurel Hill. He then sent Brigadier General William Rosecrans around to strike Garnett’s men on the flank. Rosecrans defeated the Confederate detachment and weakened Garnett’s position on Laurel Hill.

Riding the crest of victory, McClellan looked back proudly at his “brief but brilliant campaign.” He went on to further glory as commander of all Union forces and became one of the most controversial figures of the Civil War.