Existing comment:
This stone marks Richard Garnett's presumed burial spot. During the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862, he commanded the famous Stonewall Brigade. At the battle of Kernstown, he received confusing orders from Jackson and ordered his men to retreat. Jackson filed court martial charges against him but the trial was never held. He was then transferred to James Longstreet's corps and during the Pickett's Charge advance, he decided to prove his worth by leading his men on horseback against the stone wall, although he knew staying on his horse would be fatal. He regained his reputation but was killed in the assault. His body was never recovered. When Confederate dead were brought down to Richmond for burial after the war, it was presumed that his body was among the nameless corpses so this marker commemorates his actions. |