Posted on 03/24/2022 4:44:51 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
WASHINGTON, Sunday, March 23.
Telegraphic despatches received here from Winchester, dated last night at half past ten, say:
A slight skirmish occurred this afternoon about a mile from Winchester, on the Strasbourg road, between a portion of Gen. SHIELD'S troops, and the rebel cavalry with four pieces of artillery.
The enemy retreated with loss, as soon as our guns opened fire. One man was killed on our side, and Gen. SHIELDS suffered a slight injury in the left arm above the elbow, from a fragment of a shell, which burst near him.
A prisoner brought in to-night, says the enemy were under the impression our troops had left Winchester, and Gen. Jackson's forces were on the road from Strasburgh, under the same impression.
WINCHESTER, Va., Sunday, March 23, 1862.
I have just come in from the very front of the battlefield, three miles out. We have achieved a complete victory over Gen Jackson, taken two guns and caissons, killed at least 100, and wounded twice as many.
Our loss is large, but probably not over 150 killed and wounded.
Our men did well, and took a great many muskets The enemy is in full retreat.
WINCHESTER, Sunday, March 23 -- 10 P.M.
We have this day achieved a glorious victory over the combined forces of Gens. Jackson, Smith and Longstreet.
The battle was fought within four miles of this place. It raged from half past ten o'clock this morning until dark.
The enemy's strength was about 15,000. The strength of our Division was not over 8,000.
Our loss in killed and wounded is not ascertained. but is heavy.
The enemy's loss is double that of ours.
We have captured a large number of prisoners, some of their guns, and the ground is
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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Another Victory: Desperate Battle Fought near Winchester – 2
News from the Lower Potomac: Reconnoissances Across the River – 2-3
News from Washington: New-Orleans Believed to be in Our Possession – 3-4
Important from Tennessee: The Rebel Position – 4
Editorial: The British Iron-Clad Navy – 4-5
Editorial: The Military Railroad Job – 5
Jeff. Davis’ Proposed Flight – 5-6
Editorial: The Metropolitan Health Bill – 6
An Unfaithful Diplomatic Servant – 6
Editorial: Prince Napoleon on the Roman Question – 6
Defence of the Harbor – 6
First Battle of Kernstown - March 23, 1862
...
Jackson was furious with Garnett for retreating, and would later bring Garnett up for charges (see below on Garnett). However, retreat was the right decision, and as evening fell, the Confederates withdrew south on the Valley Pike. It had been a costly day for Jackson – nearly 740 killed, wounded, and captured, over 22% of his force of some 3,700 engaged. Federal losses came to about 575, just over 8% of the 7,200 engaged. Although this was a tactical defeat, Jackson had achieved a strategic victory.
The Lincoln administration, always sensitive about the safety of the Federal capital, had heard that Jackson’s command was much larger than it was and worried that the Confederate general might intend to invade Maryland. As a result, Lincoln sent substantial reinforcements, troops originally meant to support McClellan’s campaign against Richmond, back to the Valley. Thus, Jackson’s defeat at Kernstown actually accomplished what General Johnston wanted.
Kernstown ended up being Jackson’s only defeat during his two years of service in the Confederate army, and the first of his remarkable 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign.
https://www.nps.gov/cebe/learn/historyculture/first-battle-of-kernstown.htm
The number in the New York Times account are at odds with the National Park Service and other accounts.
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/kernstown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Kernstown
The numbers aren’t the only thing at odds. Combined forces of Jackson, Smith and Longstreet?
That night, a cavalryman sat with Jackson by a campfire alongside the Valley Pike and jokingly said “It was reported that they were retreating, General, but I guess they were retreating after us.” Jackson, not known for his sense of humor, replied, “I think I am satisfied, sir.”[10]
I am familiar with this battle due to having wargamed it frequently in my youth. Could Jackson have won here? Maybe. Garnett may or may not have been at fault.
Shields is the only Union General who got the better of Jackson (once here at Kernstown, the other at Port Republic).
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5939/stonewall-battle-kernstown
Hi.
I’m doing this post to bump the thread...
“Our loss in killed and wounded is not ascertained. but is heavy.
The enemy’s loss is double that of ours.”
Double of what is not ascertained? That would be, in arithmetic terms, 2x0 = 0.
Maybe I missed something...
5.56mm
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