FIRST BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN 161st Anniversary Tour

FIRST BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN

161st Anniversary Tour

Local history at its best!  On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the Kernstown Battlefield Association (KBA) will host a walking and driving tour of the First Battle of Kernstown.  This tour will be lead by Gary L. Ecelbarger, renowned author of “We are in for it !: the first Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862”, and supported by KBA docents.

The morning portion of this event will consist of a walking tour of the Kernstown Battlefield property for the morning action of the battle as viewed from the Union artillery on Pritchard Hill and the initial Confederate infantry attack across our southern fields out of Barton’s Woods.

After a break for lunch, the afternoon portion of the tour will begin at 1:30 pm at the KBA Visitor Center.  The tour group will then travel to Rose Hill Park and Sandy Ridge for continued detailed discussions of the afternoon and early evening  climatic stages of this intense battle.

Attendees should initially meet at the KBA Artillery Building at 9:00am and dress appropriately for walking across field pastures and woods.  The tour should end by 4:00pm.  The KBA will have suggestions for lunch, but attendees should plan their own.  It is also suggested that you bring water and any other personal needs.

There is no fee for this tour.  However, your donations are graciously accepted as a way of continuing these programs.  Please pre-register through our website at www.kernstownbattle.org so we have a head count.  Any questions you have can be sent to our website or call 540-450-3785 to leave a message.

Second Battle of Kernstown Tour

The Kernstown Battlefield will host a walking and driving tour of the Second Battle of Kernstown, stopping at key battle locations on and around the battlefield property. Accomplished Civil War author Scott C. Patchan, known for his books, Shenandoah Summer and Last Battle of Winchester, will lead the tour. While there is no cost for the tour, your generous donations will be greatly appreciated.

The tour will begin at the battlefield Visitors Center, then move to the Jackson’s Lookout observation platform on Apple Valley Road, the parking lot of Opequon Church, and then onto the front lawn of the Grafton Health building off Shawnee Drive. At each of these locations, Scott will discuss the maneuvers of Generals Ramseur, Gordon, and Breckinridge, plus details of the Confederate artillery.

The tour will then move onto the battlefield property to locations where the maneuvers of Union Colonels Thoburn, Ely, and Wells created a gap in the Union line, enabling Confederate General Jubal Early to execute his double-envelopment of the Union forces. The tour will end along the stone wall on Pritchard’s Lane where Scott will discuss the actions of Colonel James Mulligan’s Union division and his mortal wounding.

We are very sorry to say we will not be providing lunch at the end of this tour. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, proper clothing for the weather, and remember to bring water. Virginia COVID-19 guidelines will be practiced. The vast majority of the tour is outdoors, but movement in vehicles between locations will be required. High-risk persons, those with COVID symptoms, or who have been in contact with individuals with symptoms, should not attend. Attendees should have masks and practice social distancing during the tour.

Second Battle of Kernstown Tour

The Kernstown Battlefield will host a walking and driving tour for the 158th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Kernstown, the last Confederate victory in the Valley. The tour will take you to key battle locations on and around the battlefield property.

Accomplished Civil War author Scott Patchan, known for his excellent books, Shenandoah Summer and Last Battle of Winchester, will lead this tour. Come and learn more about this battle that saw 1,200 Union soldiers become casualties while the Confederates under General Jubal A. Early lost only 200 men in what Virginia Sergeant John Worsham would call the “most easily won victory” of the war.

The tour will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00pm on Saturday, July 23, 2022, starting at the battlefield’s Artillery Building where Scott will provide an overview of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Bring a bag lunch, water, and dress for the weather. There is no fee for the tour, but we do recommend that you pre-register and donations are greatly appreciated.

The tour will focus on the strategies of Generals Early and George Crook for control of the Valley. Scott will explore how General Crook completely misread the situation and brought on a devastating defeat for the Union Army. You will also walk in the footsteps of a former U. S. Vice President, two future U. S. Presidents, and a Colonel who was the grandfather of a WWII hero.

The Kernstown Battlefield is located at 610 Battle Park Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22602, located behind the Subaru dealership and next to Creekside Station on Valley Avenue. There is no entry fee for the Battlefield. As we are a 501(c)(3) all volunteer corporation, donations are graciously accepted.

Sign up for the tour here

Second Battle of Kernstown Anniversary

On Wednesday, July 24th, the actual date of the Second Battle of Kernstown, the Battlefield will be open from 10 am to 4 pm.

KBA docents give tours of the Battlefield, the 1854 Pritchard House, the Museum and the Artillery Annex collections.

Free and open to the public.

kernstownbattle.org