Since Jackson cut the B&amp;O main line into Washington for more than six months, the North Central and Pennsylvania Railroads profited from overflow traffic, even as many B&amp;O trains stood idle in Baltimore. Garret tried to use his government contacts to secure the needed protection, from Maryland Delegate Reverdy Johnson to General George McClellan and Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase. As winter began, coal prices soared in Washington, even though the B&amp;O in September arranged for free coal transport from its Cumberland, Maryland, terminal down the C&amp;O Canal (which reduced prices somewhat, although Confederates also damaged the C&amp;O canal that winter). Furthermore, western farmers could not get their produce to markets because of the B&amp;O shutdown, only partially alleviated by the summer 1861 Union army victories at the Battle of Philippi (West Virginia) and Rich Mountain, and vigorous army and company work crews which reduced the main-line gap to 25 miles between Harpers Ferry and Back Creek.