Bruce Guthrie Photos: VA -- Kernstown

VA -- Kernstown -- Notes:

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Description of Subject Matter: Kernstown, First: March 23, 1862: Relying on faulty intelligence that reported the Union garrison at Winchester numbered only about 3,000, "Stonewall" Jackson marched aggressively north with his 3,400-man division. The 8,500 Federals, commanded by Col. Nathan Kimball, stopped Jackson at Kernstown and then counterattacked turning Jackson's left flank and forcing him to retreat. Despite this Union victory, President Lincoln was disturbed by Jackson's threat to Washington and redirected substantial reinforcements to the Valley, depriving McClellan's army of these troops. McClellan claimed that the additional troops would have enabled him to take Richmond during his Peninsula campaign. Result(s): Union victory
Kernstown, Second: July 24, 1864: Believing that Jubal Early's army was no longer a threat in the Valley, Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright abandoned his pursuit and ordered the VI and XIX Corps to return to Washington, where they were to be sent to Grant's "army group" before Petersburg. Wright left Brig. Gen. George Crook with three divisions and some cavalry to hold Winchester. Under orders to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Grant, Early marched north on July 24 against Crook. After an hour of stubborn resistance at Pritchard's Hill, the Federal line collapsed and Crook's divisions streamed back in disarray through the streets of Winchester. Col. James Mulligan commanding Crook's 3rd Division was mortally wounded. Rutherford B. Hayes commanded a brigade against John C. Breckinridge's wing. Crook retreated to the Potomac River and crossed near Williamsport on July 26. As a result of this defeat and the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30, Grant returned the VI and XIX Corps and appointed Sheridan as commander of Union forces in the Valley. Result(s): Confederate victory
The preceding was from http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/alpha.html

The stone wall near the church was the location of the center of the Union line du ...More...
Wikipedia Description: Battle of Kernstown I
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The First Battle of Kernstown was fought on March 23, 1862, in Frederick County and Winchester, Virginia, the opening battle of Confederate Army Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's campaign through the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War. Although the battle was a Confederate defeat, and in fact Jackson's only defeat in the war, it represented a strategic victory for the South and started Jackson on the road to being one of the most celebrated Confederate generals.

Background:

Jackson's division had been retreating down the Valley (to the northeast) to cover the flank of Joseph E. Johnston's forces, falling back from Centreville. On March 21, 1862, Jackson received word that the Union force pursuing them was splitting, with one half pulling back to guard the upper Shenandoah Valley. to take advantage of this, Jackson turned his men around and marched 25 miles on March 22 and another 15 on the morning of March 23.

Battle:

Relying on faulty intelligence from his cavalry commander, Colonel Turner Ashby, that reported the Union forces at Winchester numbered only four regiments (about 3,000 men), Jackson marched aggressively north with his 3,400-man division. The Union forces, however, constituted a full infantry division, almost 9,000 men. They were commanded by Col. Nathan Kimball, replacing Brig. Gen. James Shields, who had been wounded the previous day. Jackson moved north from Woodstock and arrived before the Union position at Kernstown at 1:00 p.m., March 23. He found that Ashby had been forced back and immediately reinforced him with one brigade. With the other two brigades Jackson sought to envelop the Union right by way of Sandy Ridge. But Colonel Erastus B. Tyler's brigade countered this movement, and, when Kimball's brigade moved to his assistance, the Confederates were driven from the field. There was no effective Union pursuit.

Aftermath:

Despite this Unio ...More...
Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. KERN_130127_003.JPG: Battle of Kernstown March 23, 1862 General James Shields with 7,000 Federals defeated Stonewall Jackson with 3,500 Confederates. Jackson's object was to create a diversion which would prevent troops being sent to McClellan for the attack on Richmond. He arrived south of Kernstown in early afternoon Sunday, March 23, and attempted to turn the Federal right flank. To counter this, Colonel N. Kimball who succeeded to command after Shields was wounded March 22nd, advanced Colonel E.B. Tyler's brigade. Savage fighting followed for possession of the stone wall separating Jackson's and Tyler's troops. Seeing that Tyler was hard-pressed, Kimball rushed reinforcements from his and Sullivan's brigades. The Federals turned the Confederate right, and General R.B. Garnett with his ammunition running short fell back without Jackson's orders, exposing Colonel S.V. Fulkerson and forcing his withdrawal. Colonel J.S. Burks reached the field in time to check the Federal attack and cover the Confederate retreat from the field. This was Jackson's only defeat.
2. KERN_130127_015.JPG: Kernstown Battles Around this site and a mile to the west occurred two major battles of the Civil War. First Kernstown: March 23, 1862 Stonewall Jackson attacked what appeared to be a withdrawing federal force led by federal Br. Gen. Shields. Desperate fighting along a stone wall west of here ended with the arrival of federal reinforcements and Jackson was forced to withdraw. This action opened Jackson’s famous Valley Campaign and succeeded in preventing the withdrawal of Federals from the Valley to reinforce an attack underway at Richmond. Second Kernstown: July 23, 1864 – Federal General George Crooke’s corps was camped to the north of here after pursuing confederate Gen. Jubal Early’s force from its raid on Washington, D.C. Early attacked Crooke’s forward positions around Prichard’s Hill and Hogue Run. The federals withdrew in disorder after heavy fighting and Early followed up with raids on Martinsburg, W.Va. and Chambersburg, Pa. This battle opened the final phases of the 1864 Valley Campaign.
3. KERN_130127_022.JPG: Battle of Kernstown On the hill to the west, Stonewall Jackson late in the afternoon of March 23, 1862 attacked the Union force under Shields holding Winchester. After a fierce action, Jackson, who was greatly outnumbered, withdrew southward, leaving his dead on the field. These were buried next day by citizens of Winchester. (Marker Number A 9.)
4. KERN_130127_050.JPG: Opequon Presbyterian Church Early Years: This historic church was established by Scotch-Irish and German settlers who migrated from eastern Pennsylvania in the early 1730’s. William Hoge donated two acres of land for a meeting house, and an additional two acres for a burying ground. Two log and two stone houses of worship have occupied this site. The congregation was officially organized as a Presbyterian Church circa 1736 under oversight of the Donegal (Pa.) Presbytery. Named Opequon Church after the original name of the area “Opekon settlement” it grew in size and influence. By the time of the French and Indian War in the 1750s it had become the primary place of public worship within a wide area. Tradition holds that George Washington worshiped here on occasion during that time. During the Revolutionary War Opequon Church made a major contribution to the effort, and seven known veterans are buried here. In 1790 a new stone sanctuary replaced the two earlier log structures. Middle Years: By the early 1800s Opequon’s prominence as the area’s leading place of worship had declined, and for many years its membership ebbed and flowed. During the Civil War years the first and second battles of Kernstown were fought near and around the church, and the buildings and cemeteries were badly damaged. Worship services were discontinued in 1863, and the ruined structure was used as a stable for horses. Following the war, and after a partial restoration, the church building was destroyed by fire in 1873. The abandoned church site reverted to nature and the remnants of the congregation worshiped elsewhere. A Renewed Vision: Out of the past comes motivation and direction for the future. The hardy Scotch-Irish descendants refused to accept defeat, and in 1889 plans and financing were arranged for reconstruction. In 1897 the present sanctuary was completed, and is built on the same foundation as the 1790 stone church. Often called the “Mother Church of the Valley,” the congregation has set forth over the years 43 ministers and 8 missionaries, whose families were nurtured here. Sunday schools and chapels were organized and supported in the surrounding countryside. Today, Opequon Presbyterian Church is a vibrant, caring, and growing congregation, continuing to serve community, nation, and God. Our heritage over four centuries inspires and challenges us as we continue to glorify God in this place. For more information you are invited to contact the pastor or visit our church office
5. KERN_130127_101.JPG: In Memory of the many soldiers of the Revolution interred at Opequon Church of whom only seven are known: Major John Gilkeson Captain William Chipley Captain Samuel Gilkeson Captain James Simrall Captain Samuel Vance Captain William Vance Private James Hamilton
6. KERN_130127_179.JPG: First Battle of Winchester May 25, 1862 between Confederates under Brig. Gen. T.J. “Stonewall” Jackson and the Federals under Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks began just south of this site. The Federals were driven in retreat through Winchester’s streets with loss of stores and many prisoners. Confederates engaged, 16,000, casualties 400. Federals engaged, 8,000, casualties 2017
7. KERN_130127_184.JPG: First Battle of Winchester: May 25, 1862 between Confederates under Brig. Gen. TJ "Stonewall" Jackson and the Federals under Maj. Gen. NP Banks began just south of this site. The Federals were driven in retreat through Winchester's streets with loss of stores and many prisoners. Confederates engaged 10,000, casualties 400. Federals engaged 8,000, casualties 2017.
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Directly Related Pages: Other pages here that have content directly related to this one: [Display ALL photos]
- 1998_VA_Kernstown: VA -- Kernstown (11 photos from 1998)
- 2004_VA_Kernstown: VA -- Kernstown (6 photos from 2004)
- 2006_VA_Kernstown: VA -- Kernstown (6 photos from 2006)
Same Subject: Click on this link to see coverage of items having the same subject: [Civil War]
2013 photos: So far, my camera is mostly the Fuji X-S1 but, depending on the event, I'm also using a Nikon D7000 and Nikon D600. Trips this year have been limited to a Civil War Trust conference in Memphis.
Photo Contact: Email Bruce Guthrie.