 Nyorera kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Kuverengerwa kwemwedzi mitatu kwakapera, asi hurumende yakadzokororwazve, uye musi wa31 Nyamavhuvhu 1861, McGinnis akaitwazve lieutenant colonel naWallace semukuru. Nokuda kworudzi rwokudzidzisa, hurumende yakazozivikanwa se Wallaces Zouaves. Musi wa 3 September, Wallace akasimudzirwa kuva brigadier general uye McGinnis akava colonel we regiment. McGinnis akatungamirira hurumende panguva yekubatwa kweFort Henry uye ipapo pasi kuenda kuFort Donelson. Munguva yeHondo yeFort Donelson, regiment yake yakasungirirwa kwenguva pfupi kune Lew Wallaces division uye yakarwisana nekurwisa kurudyi kweUnited. Akagamuchira kurumbidzwa kwaLew Wallace nokuda kwezviito zvake muhondo iyoyo. McGinnis akatungamirirawo chikwata chake muhondo dzakazotevera dzeShiro neKorinte. 