This first battle of Kernstown was fought on March 23rd, 1862, THE OPENING BATTLE OF CONFEDERATE GEN. THOMAS “STONEWALL” JACKSONS SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN.  Our letter is written by Allen, a soldier in Bank’s 5th Corps from Pennsylvania.  The letter is in excellent condition and is four pages in ink, clearly written with a wonderful description of this famous battle… the only one that Stonewall Jackson “lost”!  It comes with the cover sent to his girlfriend or relative, “Eliza M. Frazier, Susquehanna Depot, Susquehanna County Pa.”  The stamp has been removed.

·         “Time continues with its changes, of which we are at times its subjects.  Since last I wrote we have had
a battle, gained a victory and advanced 24 miles further to the south.  I think I told you of an intended
advance soon to take place but it came sooner than intended.”

·         “On Saturday afternoon last the enemy were seen to be advancing upon Winchester from the south and
being opposed by the small force posted on that side of the town a sharp skirmish ensued in which 29 of
the enemy were “laid out cold”.  Our loss was one killed.  Gen. Shields sustained a compound fracture of
the arm from the explosion of a shell at the enemy’s first fire.”

·         “Gen. Banks being the first in Winchester had a sufficient force belonging to his division posted in and
to the south of the town and when our division (Shields) came up it encamped on the north side of the
town.  On Friday and Saturday Banks moved the most of his forces away leaving the town partially
exposed and it is supposed that the rebels thought Winchester to nearly clear of our troops and thought
to occupy it once more.  The main body of Shields forces arrived just in time to see the rebels repulsed
and night coming nothing further could be done.  What the strength of their forces were we knew
nothing of or whether the attack would be renewed in the morning or not.”

·         “The next day (Sunday) the attack was renewed, but a distance further (3 miles) from the town.  Our
brigade arrived on the grounds at about 11 o’clock A.M. at which time the cannonading had been going
on for about an hour and a half.  When we arrived the enemy were attempting to turn our left flank and
to that part of the field we were sent.  Here we were exposed to a heavy cross fire of shot and shell from
the enemies guns, but it soon became apparent that a movement was being made toward our right wing
by the enemy.  Our regiment being left to watch the left the rest of the brigade went to the support of the
center but still the enemy’s cannon continued to pour its fire in upon us.” 

·         “A battery was ordered to our relief but came near being dismounted before it could be got into position
but when once in position it was not long in putting a quietus to the rebels in that part of the field.  Thus
matters progressed until between 4 and 5 o’clock when the action began with musketry and from that
time until night put an end to it.  It was one continues roar of small arms.  In the time our troops drove
the enemy from the field and took four of their cannon.  The rebel killed was about 300-500 wounded
and 200 taken prisoners.  Our loss was from 80 to 100 killed.  That night we slept on our arms and at
the earliest dawn we were again advancing and to this place we have followed them…”

·         “Since Gen. Shield’s misfortune, Gen. Banks has commanded in person.  Our regiment lost none and
 but one wounded although exposed to a galling fire for about three hours.  It has been a most glorious
victory and the beginning of the contest of the late 'army of the Potomac'.” 

·         “But how different that Sabbath day from so many of former times and from many I hope to see the
future when no mortal contests shall man the peace and quiet belonging to the day.”

For collectors of the Valley Campaign, this letter gives some great details and has excellent content! 

#L209 - Price $395

                        Transcription:
                                                                                                                                                        Camp 4 miles south of Strasburg, Va. 
                                                                                                                                                                                             March 29^th, 1862

                                        My dearest Eliza,

                     Time continues with its changes, of which we are at times its subjects.  Since last I
wrote we have had a battle, gained a victory and advanced 24 miles further to the south.  I think
I told you of an intended advance soon to take place but it came sooner than intended.

            On Saturday afternoon last the enemy were seen to be advancing upon Winchester from
the south and being opposed by the small force posted on that side of the town a sharp skirmish
ensued in which 29 of the enemy were “laid out cold”.  Our loss was one killed.  Gen. Shields
sustained a compound fracture of the arm from the explosion of a shell at the enemy’s first fire.

            Gen. Banks being the first in Winchester had a sufficient force belonging to his division
posted in and to the south of the town and when our division (Shields) came up it encamped on
the north side of the town.  On Friday and Saturday Banks moved the most of his forces away
leaving the town partially exposed and it is supposed that the rebels thought Winchester to
nearly clear of our troops and thought to occupy it once more.  The main body of Shields forces
arrived just in time to see the rebels repulsed and night coming nothing further could be done. 
What the strength of their forces were we knew nothing of or whether the attack would be
renewed in the morning or not.

            The next day (Sunday) the attack was renewed, but a distance further (3 miles) from
the town.  Our brigade arrived on the grounds at about 11 o’clock A.M. at which time the
cannonading had been going on for about an hour and a half.  When we arrived the enemy
were attempting to turn our left flank and to that part of the field we were sent.  Here we
were exposed to a heavy cross fire of shot and shell from the enemies guns, but it soon became
apparent that a movement was being made toward our right wing by the enemy.  Our
regiment being left to watch the left the rest of the brigade went to the support of the center
but still the enemy’s cannon continued to pour its fire in upon us.  A battery was ordered to
our relief but came near being dismounted before it could be got into position but when once
in position it was not long in putting a quietus to the rebels in that part of the field.  Thus
matters progressed until between 4 and 5 o’clock when the action began with musketry and
from that time until night put an end to it.  It was one continues roar of small arms.  In the
time our troops drove the enemy from the field and took four of their cannon.  The rebel
killed was about 300-500 wounded and 200 taken prisoners.  Our loss was from 80 to 100
killed.  That night we slept on our arms and at the earliest dawn we were again advancing
and to this place we have followed them.  Here we must wait until supplies sufficient are
brought up to enable us to go ahead.  As soon as we halted the enemy halted and are to be
seen each day less than two miles distant.  Since Gen. Shield’s misfortune, Gen. Banks has
commanded in person.

            Our regiment lost none and but one wounded although exposed to a galling fire for
about three hours.  It has been a most glorious victory and the beginning of the contest of
the late “army of the Potomac”.

            But how different that Sabbath day from so many of former times and from many
I hope to see the future when no mortal contests shall man the peace and quiet belonging
to the day.

             We have had most beautiful weather this week until today, which is cold and stormy. 
But you know that “Some days must be dark and dreary” and this is one outside, but within
our “Sibley” a warm fire drives the discomforts of the day away.  I suppose you are at home
ere this amongst your old kind friends.  Don’t think the spots on this sheet are tear drops for
it is rain drops coming through the ventilator.

                                                                                                        Most affectionately yours, Allen