The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-03-22


successive ridges, steep in places, form
good backgrounds. Again, thirty
miles south, near Newmarket, pass
is formed by two forks OF the river
bordered with mountains, the single
valley pike being along exposed plains
between. staunton, at the head OF the
valley. Is well covered from attack
from the north by streams that wind
around It on the north, east and west
Jackson's place OF refuge would be
staunton. where re-enforcements from
other armies could reach him and the
railroads from the south could bring
up military supplies. From this point
he could play hide and seek in ana out
and ND and down the valley.
Jackson Plans a Coup.
When Banks crossed the Potomac
early I'm March, 1862. to enter the val
lev the Confederates retired before
him, winchester was abandoned ana
10 all appearance, Jackson was concen-
trating his men at the upper end OF
the valley. Banks then sent half his
men. Williams division. across the
Blue Ridge to other scenes and ordered
Shields with the remaining division to
watch Jackson. IL was now that the
latter formed his plan to retake Win
chester On the morning OF the I'D
jackson was near Strasburg, the sec
ond lodgment up the valley from the
Potomac. and Shields, with three brl'
gades, one Of which was led by Colo
mel Nathan Kimball. was at the first
Judgment, winchester. The cavalry
skirmishers of both sides were be-
tween. About o'clock that day
''Stonewall's" cavalry, under General
Turner Ashby, advanced on Winchester
and opened with cannon.
General Shields Immediately moved
out of his camps and drove Ashby
away, but was himself temporarily dis
abled in the encounter. The troops led
by Shields formed part Of Colonel KIM
balls brigade, and on returning from
the front the general ordered Kimball
to advance with all his force and take
command at the front. On this incl
dent of the wounding Of Shields de
pended the fate of Jackson in his first
Independent battle. During the night
Shields sent word to Kimball TO move
forward at daylight and drive off OF
capture Ashby.
Kimball seizes the Key to the Field
Kimball went forward promptly
along the valley pike leading south ano
met the Confederates on the hills over.
! looking the little village of Kernstown,
three and half miles from Winches-
ter on the lowlands OF little stream
running at right angles across the main
/ valley. kimball planted a battery on
one side OF the pike and disposed his
brigade on the other side and drove
the enemy before him into the valley
/ beyond the little stream. In this stroke
the Confederates lost the key position,
and Kimball proceeded to establish
himself in it.
General Shields now sent word to
| his subordinate to advance. Colonel
Klmball sent back answer that he had
strong enemy to contend with and
needed re-enforcements. Shields again
ordered an advance, even instructing
Kimball to send a body of men with
cannon to break through the enemy's
center, divide his column and capture
| It in detail. Had Kimball obeyed he
would have fallen into the trap Jack
son was preparing for him. Kimball
| rightly believed that his superior, lying
in his bed five miles distant, could not
know what was taking place on the
| battlefield and decided to hold his
| ground. He now had his own brigade
and Colonel ]. c. Sullivan's also. On
learning Of Kimball's decision General
Shields sent up his other brigade un-
der Colonel e. B. Tyler and left the
| affair wholly in the colonePs hands.
The man who was to be pitted against
"Stonewall' in the first battle of Win
| chester had not enjoyed the advan-
tages Of his opponent in military train.
ing Jackson was a West Point officer
who had seen much service Kimball
had been a volunteer captain in the
Mexican war and as colonel in COM
mand of the Fourteenth Indiana had
made one campaign in 1861.
The Battle of Kernstown.
At midday Jackson had deployed his
whole force of infantry across the val
ley south Of Kernstown, with Ashby's
cavalry for a movable column on his
right flank Kimball had his own and
Sullivans brigade deployed along the
enemy's front, with the vale Of the
creek and the hamlet Of Kernstown
between. The Confederates opened the
battle by attempting to rout Kimball
by an assault on his left flank, using
the cavalry as flankers and also to
] make a show of strength. Kimball
49, &C A. TWyv.nn n,IwwAwy "a g