The Second Battle of Kernstown

On the night of July 23, 1864, Colonel James A. Mulligan's Union command of 1,800 men encamped on these heights. After Confederate cavalry drove Union cavalry back toward Kernstown on the morning of July 24, Mulligan deployed two cannons on the hill to check the Confederate advance and then advanced his small command to support the Union cavalry. Mulligan's immediate supervisor, Major General George Crook, doubted reports that Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early's entire Confederate army was at Kernstown and ordered an attack instead. Future U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes led 1,300 Ohioans and West Virginians into position on the east side of the Valley Pike and advanced with Mulligan. Minutes later, Major General John C. Breckinridge's Confederates advanced from behind the ridge to the east, striking Hayes in his flank and rear and throwing most of his troops into confusion. Hayes rallied what men he could on Pritchard's Hill while Mulligan's men made a brief stand along the lane at the foot of the hill. From the hill, Hayes saw the 13th West Virginia Infantry in an orchard to the east bravely but vainly resisting Breckinridge's attack. Hayes sent his young aide, Lieutenant William McKinley, to retrieve them before they were overwhelmed. Riding through heavy artillery and rifle fire, McKinley reached them and delivered Hayes's order to withdraw. The 13th West Virginia fired one last volley and retreated to Winchester. Among the attacking Confederates were Colonel George S. Patton and Swedish-born Colonel Augustus Forsberg, both leading Virginia brigades. Hayes, born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1822, had been appointed major of the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, returned to service after being seriously wounded at South Mountain in 1862, led his troops successfully during the 1864 Valley Campaign, and later became President after the disputed election of 1876, serving one term. McKinley enlisted in 1861 as an 18-year-old private in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, rose to major by the end of the war, was elected President in 1896 and 1900, and was assassinated in 1901.

Winchester, Virginia · United States