March 23, 1862 (Sunday): "I Expect to Anhilate Him"

Battle of Kernstown-Jed Hotchkiss Map

WINCHESTER, VA., March 23, 1862.

    We have this day achieved a glorious victory over the combined forces of Jackson, Smith, and Longstreet. The battle was fought within 4 miles of this place. It raged from 10.30 o'clock this morning until dark. The enemy's strength was about 15,000; the strength of our division not over 8,000. Our loss, killed and wounded, is not ascertained, but is heavy. The enemy's loss is double that of ours. We have captured a large number of prisoners, some of their guns, and the ground is strewn with the arms they have thrown away in their flight. The cavalry is still in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The particulars cannot be accurately ascertained until daylight.



JAS. SHIELDS,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.


S. WILLIAMS, 
Brigadier-General.
WINCHESTER, VA., March 23, 1862. 
    The enemy, though severely handled, is still before us. His motions are watched. If he attempts to retreat before morning we will follow up his rear and pursue him to Strasburg. If he keeps his position till morning I expect to annihilate him. General Banks has ordered back one of Williams' brigades, which ought to be here in three hours. I have ordered forward all the force stationed at Martinsburg, Harper's Ferry, Berryville, and Charlestown. I have ordered in all outposts and guards which are on the route in my rear. All are on the march for this place, and will be here by early dawn to re-enforce me. With the whole of this force I will renew the attack as soon as we have sufficient light to point our guns, and feel confident the enemy cannot escape.



JAS. SHIELDS,
Brigadier-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Page 335.

Believing he faced a small garrison in Winchester, Jackson moved to attack 8,500 Union troops with his 3,400 men.  The fighting was severe, with Jackson reporting the roar of musketry to exceed anything he had ever heard.  Late in the day Shields turned Jackson's left and Confederate ammunition ran low, causing (much to Jackson's chagrin) a retreat from the field.  That the Union troops under Shields fought well there is no doubt, and he deserves credit.  But for him to believe Jackson had 5 times the force which was on the field, and that Longstreet and Smith were present, gives some indication of the state of scouting and intelligence activity at this point during the war.  Although a tactical defeat, Jackson did succeed in getting the Lincoln administration's attention to the extent gradual diversions from McClellan's force were made to vouchsafe the security of the capital.