Historical Outcome: Stonewall Jackson did not want to fight on March 23, 1862 as it was Sunday and against his religious beliefs. This was soon to change with news from Turner Ashby that the Federals were conducting a retrograde movement. It was Jackson's orders to prevent any reinforcements from leaving the valley. Ashby believed the Union forces around Kernstown were a rearguard force of only four infantry regiments, whereas Shields had the rest of his division (9000 total) at hand, Jackson moved north by forced marches and launched an attack despite his religious misgivings, on what he thought was an inferior force. Union forces had taken up positions north of Kernstown around Pritchard's Hill. Jackson's plan was to pin the Union forces in their positions and to move a force to the west to attack the enemy's right flank. It was a plan that might have worked if he was attacking the size force reported by Ashby. The turning movement consisted of Fulkerson's Brigade with support from the Stonewall Brigade. This movement ran into fierce artillery and musket fire from Pritchard's Hill. Jackson issued contradictory orders to Garnett, commander of the Stonewall Brigade. Initially requiring support by one regiment he issued a second order for the entire brigade to advance. This led to confusion and Jackson would eventually lead two regiments forward himself. By 4:30 pm the Confederate attack had bogged down as seemingly endless numbers of Federal troops joined the battle. Learning the true size of the enemy caused Jackson to order a rearguard action with the hope of disengaging. After more heavy fighting in which the Stonewall Brigade suffered most, night fell and the Confederates slipped away. Of the 4200 Confederates, 700 were casualties. A tactical defeat for the Confederates for sure, yet it proved to be a strategic success. The Federals didn't think Jackson would attack unless he had large reinforcements available. Union troops were recalled to meet this new Confederate treat. A lost battle for Jackson and the beginning of a winning campaign. Confederate Orders Stonewall Jackson has been instructed to keep as many Union troops occupied in the Shenandoah Valley as is consistent with the safety of his command. Banks has started to move his divisions out of the Shenandoah leaving Shields to guard the valley, Bank's movement is precisely the kind of thing that Jackson has been ordered to prevent. He will have to do something keeping in mind the safety of his own forces. The problem lay in determining what to do and when to do it. On March 22, 1862, Turner Ashby supplied the answer. Scouting just south of Winchester, VA, Ashby's cavalry encountered some Union troops. A sharp but inconclusive skirmish ensued and Ashby soon drew off with what he believes is valuable information. He reported to Jackson that in his estimation, Union forces in the vicinity of Winchester-Kernstown totalled no more than 4 regiments of infantry, some cavalry and a single battery of artillery. Jackson was confident that his 4200 veterans could handle this force and prevent further troops from leaving the valley. Jackson has ordered his brigades to move north with the objective of controlling the Valley Turnpike. Your units are deployed and moving as follows: 1) Ashby's cavalry is moving north via Middle road and at 9:00 are located at intersection of Cross Over Rd. 2) Garnett's Brigade is moving north via Middle Rd and arrival time at Cedar Creek Rd is 11:00 AM. 3) Burk's Brigade is moving north on Middle Rd, Arrival time on south edge of board is 9:40AM, 4) Pulkerson's Brigade is moving north via Middle Rd. Arrival time at south edge of board is 10:40 AM. *To determine if a unit arrives on time: 1,2, or 3 must be rolled on a normal die. This will continue each turn until the unit arrives, Game time starts at 9:00 AM. Union Orders: You are in command of James Shield's Division, which is acting as the rear guard for Bank's Corps, There has been little Confederate activity in the Valley recently, Banks is withdrawing two divisions to reinforce the main Army of the Potomac, under McClellan's command. There has been a sharp little skirmish on 22 March near Kernstown, VA, with Ashby's cavalry. Scouting reports indicate that a small Confederate force is moving down the Valley. Headquarters wants your units to advance south to mop-up any enemy resistance in the Kernstown area. You are also to maintain control of the Valley Turnpike near Kernstown, in order to protect Bank's withdrawal. Your units are deployed and moving as follows: 1) Cavalry Brigade is moving south (near wheat fields) by Middle Rd. 2) 1st Brigade is moving south to Kernstown via East Rd. and Kernstown Rd. Arrival time is 10:20 AM. 3) 2nd Brigade is moving south on the Valley Turnpike. Arrival time At north edge of board is 9:20 AM. 4) 3rd Brigade is moving south via East Rd, Arrival tine at intersection of Cedar Creek Rd is 10:00 AM. 5. Division artillery is moving south behind the 3rd Brigade. UNION ORDER OF BATTLE Brigadier General J. Shields commanding 1st BRIGADE (KIMBALL) (G) 84th PENN. (12) Figures (A) 8th OHIO (12) (A) 67th OHIO (12) (V) 14th INDIANA (10) 2nd BRIGADE (SULLIVAN) (A) 5th OHIO (12) (A) 62nd OHIO (12) (V) 13th INDIANA (10) (V) 39th INDIANA (10) 3rd BRIGADE (TYLER) (A) 1st WEST VIRGINIA (12) (A) 7th OHIO (12) (A) 29th OHIO (12) (V) 7th INDIANA (10) CAVALRY BRIGADE (Lt.COL. BRODHEAD (A) 1st PENN. (8) (A) 1st MICHIGAN (8) (A) 1st WEST VIRGINIA (8) DIVISION ARTILLERY (Lt.COL. P. DAUM (A) 1st OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY "H" SMOOTHBORES (6) 12lb. (A) 1st OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY "L" SMOOTHBORES (6) 12lb. (V) 4th U.S. ARTILLERY BATTERY 3" ORDNANCE RIFLE (4) (A) 1st WEST VIRGINIA LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY (6) 10lb parrott CONFEDERATE ORDER OF BATTLE T.J. Jackson commanding GARNETT'S BRIGADE (STONEWALL BRIGADE) (V) 2nd VIRGINIA (10) Figures (V) 4th VIRGINIA (10) (V) 5th VIRGINIA (10) (V) 27th VIRGINIA (10) (V) 33rd VIRGINIA (10) (V) ROCKBRIDGE ARTILLERY BATTERY (6) 10 lb PARROTS BURK'S BRIGADE (A) 21st VIRGINIA (12) (A) 42nd VIRGINIA (12) (A) 48th VIRGINIA (12) (V) REGULAR BATTALION 1st (IRISH) (10) (A) HAMPDEN VIRGINIA ARTILLERY BATTERY (4) 10lb PARROTS (A) WATER'S GEORGIA BATTERY (4) 12lb HOWITZERS FULKERSON'S BRIGADE (V) 23rd VIRGINIA (10) (A) 37th VIRGINIA (12) (A) SHUMAKER'S DANVILLE VIRGINIA BATTERY (4) 12lb SMOOTHBORES CAVALRY (ASHBY) (V) 7th VIRGINIA CAVALRY (12) (V) VIRGINIA MOUNTED BATTERY (4) 12lb BLAKELY'S Back to MWAN # 24 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1986 Legio X This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com