McClellan writing from Cincinnati in May 1861 to Pres. Lincoln said that he was expecting large numbers of recruits from West Virginia and requested supplies for 10,000 soldiers. About 2 months later he wrote to Gov. Pierpoint that he had better get a move-on recruiting from the populace, as he had greatly over-estimated the volunteers from WV.

It should be remembered when calculating units from WV that a great many were from Ohio and Pennsylvania. The 2nd WV Cavalry was composed of 900 Ohioans and 100 West Virginians.