Near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
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 Jacksons 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 Crookes corps was camped to the north of here after pursuing confederate Gen. Jubal Earlys force from its raid on Washington, D.C. Early attacked Crookes forward positions around Prichards 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.
Erected 1991 by Winchester-Frederick Co. Historical Society.
Topics and series.
this page online
Location. 39° 8.403′ N, 78° 11.678′ W. Marker is near Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It is on Opequon Church Lane, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of the Church in the north side parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Opequon Church Lane, Winchester VA 22602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Kernstown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Kernstown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Kernstown (a few steps from this marker); Opequon Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of William Hoge (1660 - 1749) and His Wife Barbara Hume Hoge (1670 - 1745) (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Many Soldiers of the Revolution
Other markers no longer nearby. Opequon Presbyterian Church (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The First Battle of Kernstown (was approx. Ό mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The marker displays maps of the two battles.
Regarding Kernstown Battles. The sites related to the First and Second Battles of Kernstown are well detailed on several historical markers in the area. Aside from the Virginia State markers, there are two
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 25, 2007
3. Looking North Past the Marker towards Prichard's Hill
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 28, 2007
4. Kernstown Marker with Bank Barn in background
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 25, 2007
5. Kernstown Battlefields
During both battles, Confederate forces advanced across the fields towards Federal positions beyond the tree line. Hogue Run passes through the treeline. The the distance are the white buildings of the Bank Farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,307 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on September 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on November 16, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on September 21, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
