Battle of First Kernstown

Battle of First Kernstown. Fulkerson/Garnett Assault. , From this spot, turn and look south back along the assault route. In his official report, Colonel Fulkerson deduced that he had advanced about half of a mile from Barton's Woods before being forced to abandon the mission with a sharp westward turn., Now turn and look north toward Pritchard's Hill. The point of Colonel Fulkerson's turn was about 100 yards further north from where you are standing. You can now appreciate how close Colonel Fulkerson-leading his brigade on his white horse-and the vanguard column of the 37th Virginia came to the Union guns (about 300 yards away) on Pritchard's Hill., General Garnett, following about 200 yards behind the tail of Col. Fulkerson's column, and realizing the danger that Colonel Fulkerson was in, made the same decision to maneuver his one regiment, the 33rd Virginia, west into the woods, paralleling Col. Fulkerson's turn., After successfully reaching the safety of the eastern slope of Sandy Ridge, General Garnett located and consulted with Col. Fulkerson, seriously considering redeploying back to Barton's Woods. In any case, their combined force of about 800 Virginians had only a temporary reprieve from the fighting as the infantry-on-infantry fight would start in earnest just a few hundred yards west from where they were standing., As you look back south from this point toward Apple Valley Road and shift your gaze to the Middle Road to your right, realize that upwards of 80 steadfast Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded within this view shed. This truly is hallowed ground.