Western Virginia was again the focus of conflict with Union forces surprising Confederates at Philippi. The rebels under Colonel G. A. Porterfield, fled. This Northern triumph, so easily accomplished, came to be known as the "Philippi Races" due to the Confederates rapid retreat under fire. It was in some ways responsible for western Virginia's later break with the main part of the state. With Confederate troops no longer in the vicinity, the majority of western Virginians, who were pro-Union, could more easily express their support for the North.