The Western Virginia Campaign, also known as Operations in Western Virginia or the Rich Mountain Campaign, occurs from May to December 1861 during the American Civil War.

Union forces under Major General George B. McClellan invade  the western portion of Virginia; this area occupied by the Union will later become the state of West Virginia.

Although Confederate forces will make several raids into the area throughout the remainder of the war, they will be unable to reoccupy the state.

Western Virginia is an important source of minerals the Confederates need  for the production of arms and ammunition

It also contains several roads and turnpikes which will grant the Union access to Tennessee, North Carolina, and the Shenandoah Valley, while the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the northern part of the area connects the eastern Union states to the Midwest.