Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The First Battle of Kernstown
An Unheralded Commander's Unique Victory
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 31, 2020
At 9:00 A.M. on March 23, 1862, Confederate artillery unlimbered near the Valley Turnpike and fired on this height, called Pritchard's Hill, to begin the First Battle of Kernstown. Union artillery rolled onto these knolls and responded by discharging 700 rounds of shot and shell over the next five hours. More than 300 Union soldiers crowded the height to protect the artillery while Colonel Nathan Kimball, the Union battlefield commander, set up headquarters on this same hill.
Kimball successfully repulsed Confederate infantry in its attempt to dislodge the artillery from this ground early in the afternoon, only to watch helplessly as General Jackson swiftly shifted his Confederate artillery from the Valley Turnpike to the crest of Sandy Ridge (the ridge line one mile to your right). By 3:30 P.M., Jackson's cannon suppressed the Union artillery position. Perched on this hill, Kimball countered aggressively by launching two infantry attacks in quick succession in an effort to force "Stonewall" Jackson from his commanding position.
By sunset, Kimball's assaults dislodged Jackson's troops from Sandy Ridge, capturing two cannon and 250 healthy soldiers by nightfall. The Confederates also suffered 450 killed and wounded within their ranks from the day-long battle. Colonel Kimball's men, killed and wounded numbered nearly 600 for the day. His victory earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general. Kimball, an Indiana physician before the war, became the only field commander in the Civil War to defeat both Robert E. Lee (Cheat Mountain in West Virginia) and "Stonewall" Jackson (Kernstown) in separate engagements.
[Sidebars:]
Erected by Shenandoah At War; The Knowledge Point, Shenandoah University Historical and Tourism Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1862.
Location. 39° 8.769′ N, 78° 11.817′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 31, 2020
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Battle of Winchester (a few steps from this marker); The Second Battle of Kernstown (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The First Battle of Kernstown (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Pritchard House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Second Battle of Kernstown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pettus Cousins in the Battle of First Kernstown (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Second Battle of Kernstown (approx. ¼ mile away); Kernstown Battlefield (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.