On July 1, 1861 Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox took command of a brigade, composed of Ohio volunteer regiments. He titled his command "Kanawha Brigade" in reference to its duty in the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia. The brigade became part of the new District of the Kanawha, both of which were commanded by Cox. Cox and the brigade took part in the Battle of Princeton Court House in 1862.
