Near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Final Actions on Sandy Ridge

The First Battle of Kernstown

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026

1. Final Actions on Sandy Ridge Marker

Inscription.
As the sun began to set on March 23, 1862, the balance of power at the First Battle of Kernstown began to shift. The hard fought infantry battle on Sandy Ridge was breaking in favor of the attacking Union forces.

As the fresh Union troops arrived on the Confederate right, some Confederate soldiers, now out of ammunition, began to leave the ranks without permission. The Confederate commander, Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson, attempted to rally these men, ordering them to "go back and give them the bayonet." Realizing the desperate nature of the situation, Gen. Jackson called up his only remaining available regiment, the 5th Virginia, hoping to steady his defensive line until full darkness when he planned to conduct an orderly withdrawal off Sandy Ridge.

Around this time, Gen. Jackson ran into Brig. Gen. Richard Garnett, commander of his old Stonewall Brigade, whose regiments were leaving the field in various directions. This impromptu general officer meeting quickly devolved into a severe scolding of Gen. Garnett by his commanding general. Despite Jackson's attempt to reinforce his line and to personally motivate his men

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to stand and fight, the attacking Union force was too strong. As darkness fell, the Confederate line completely broke resulting in the loss of two cannons to the Union infantry and numerous infantry soldiers captured by Union cavalry.

While First Kernstown was a Union tactical victory, the high command in Washington over-reacted to the news of the battle, recalling troops into the Valley and away from Gen. George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. Jackson would write in his official report: "I feel justified in saying that, though the field is in possession of the enemy, yet the most essential fruits of the battle are ours."

(Sidebar):

General Garnett's Court Martial
Not long after the battle, Gen. Jackson levied seven court martial charges against Gen. Garnett for his actions (or inactions) at the First Battle of Kernstown. The court martial was convened in August, but was quickly suspended and never reconvened. Later that year, Gen. Garnett was given command of a different brigade. In the spring of 1863, despite the court martial, Gen. Garnett volunteered to be a pallbearer at Gen. Jackson's funeral. In July of that same

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026

2. Final Actions on Sandy Ridge Marker

year, he was killed on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg while leading his troops on horseback (he was recovering from an injury and could not walk at that time) on the famous "Pickett's Charge."

(Caption):

Brigadier General Richard B. Garnett

Erected 2026 by Kernstown Battlefield Association.

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° 8.696′ N, 78° 12.773′ W. Marker is near Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Jones Road (Virginia Route 621) 0.4 miles south of Cedar Creek Grade ( Route 622), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1871 Jones Road, 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory

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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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Actions on the Confederate Right & Death of Col. Murray (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson's Artillery on Sandy Ridge (about 400 feet away); Other Actions On Sandy Ridge (about 700 feet away); Sandy Ridge (about 700 feet away); Caring For the Wounded and Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Order For Retreat (approx. 0.4 miles away); Northern Victory, Southern Defeat (approx. half a mile away); The Defense of the Stone Wall (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.