Battle of Kernstown II

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Early's Raid and Operations Against the B&O Railroad
Monocacy Junction – Fort Stevens – Cool Spring – Rutherford's Farm – Kernstown II – Folck's Mill – Moorefield

The Second Battle of Kernstown was fought on July 24, 1864, outside Winchester, Virginia, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War. Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early defeated Union Brigadier General George Crook and drove him back over the Potomac River.

After the rout of Jubal Early's forces at Rutherford's Farm, Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright believed that Early's army was no longer a threat in the Valley. Wright abandoned his pursuit and ordered the VI and XIX Corps to return to Washington, D.C., where they were to be sent to join Ulysses S. Grant's forces besieging Petersburg. Wright left Brig. Gen. George Crook with three divisions and some cavalry to hold Winchester.

Under orders to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Grant, Early marched north on July 24 against Crook. After an hour of stubborn resistance at Pritchard's Hill, the Federal line collapsed and Crook's divisions streamed back in disarray through the streets of Winchester. Col. James Mulligan commanding Crook's 3rd Division was mortally wounded. Rutherford B. Hayes commanded a brigade against John C. Breckinridge's wing. Crook retreated to the Potomac River and crossed near Williamsport, Maryland, on July 26. As a result of this defeat and Early's burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30, Grant returned the VI and XIX Corps to the Valley and appointed Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan as commander of Union forces there.