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Chapter 42: battle of Kernstown.
On the reception of the foregoing information, I determined to attack the enemy at once; and, early on the morning of the 24th, my whole force was put in motion for
Winchester.
The enemy, under
Crook, consisting of the “Army of west
Virginia,” and including
Hunter's and
Sigel's forces, and
Averill's cavalry, was found in position at
Kernstown, on the same ground occupied by
Shields, at the time of
General Jackson's fight with him, on March 22nd, 1862.
Ramseur's division was sent to the left, at
Bartonsville, to get around the enemy's right flank, while the other divisions moved along the
Valley Pike, and formed on each side of it.
Ransom's cavalry was ordered to move in two columns: one, on the right, along the road from
Front Royal to
Winchester, and the other on the left, and west of
Winchester, so as to unite in rear of the latter place, and cut off the enemy's retreat.
After the enemy's skirmishers were driven in, it was discovered that his left flank, extending through
Kernstown, was exposed, and
General Breckenridge was ordered to move
Echols' division, now under
Brigadier General Wharton, under cover of some ravines on our right and attack that flank.
This movement, which was made under
General Breckenridge's personal superintendence, was handsomely executed, and the attacking division struck the enemy's left flank in open ground, doubling it up and throwing his whole line into great confusion.
The other divisions then advanced, and the rout of the enemy became complete.
He was pursued, by the infantry and artillery, through and beyond
Winchester; and the pursuit was continued by
Rodes' division to
Stephenson's depot, six miles from Winchester-this division then having marched twenty-seven miles from its position west of
Strasburg.
The cavalry had not been moved according