It's Old Jack, or a Rabbit: Valley Campaign Quiz

Answer: Nathan Kimball

Despite his religious beliefs, Stonewall Jackson fought the battle on Sunday, after having been provided with information by his leading cavalier, Turner Ashby, that the Union forces in the Valley, with Nathaniel P. Banks in overall command were heading for Harper's Ferry, possibly to link up with McClellan and help him make a drive against Richmond, the CSA capital. Thus, Jackson decided to fight.

Answer: Jesse Burks'

Due to the information given to him by Ashby, Jackson believed that his men were to attack only a small segment of the US forces. He ordered his cavalry under Ashby to make a misleading maneuver, while Garnett's and Fulkerson's brigades were to attack the Federal infantry.

The attack achieved some initial success, but Kimball's counterattack restored the Union line and threatened to smash the Confederate force. Kimball's movements and the lack of ammunition made Garnett call retreat, despite the fact that he had been reinforced by Burks. Tactically, Kernstown was a Federal victory, but, since Jackson's aggressiveness resulted in McClellan not being reinforced (as the authorities of Washington were troubled by Jackson's audacity) strategically the Confederacy won.

Answer: Army of the Northwest

The Army of the Northwest was a brigade-sized force, which had participated in the 1861 Western Virginia Campaign. The Army of the Northwest linked up with Jackson in order to neutralize the threat to Richmond, posed by the increased Federal troops in the Valley.

Answer: Sitlington's Hill

Stonewall Jackson's aim was to force Robert Milroy's Union force out of his position at McDowell. After crumpling the Union skirmishers on Sitlington's Hill, he was trying to find a route to outflank Milroy's force, with Union general Robert Schenck in overall command.

However, it was Schenck who initiated the action, sending part of his force to attack Sitlington's Hill. Although the Union forces made some headway, they were met, halted and forced to retreat. The battle demonstrated Jackson's ability to isolate relatively small forces of his foes and defeating them in detail.

Answer: Thomas S. Flournoy

The Battle of Front Royal was fought on May 23, 1862. Stonewall Jackson's opponent in the battle was Union Colonel John R. Kenly. The battle began when CSA cavalry, led by Ashby and Flournoy crossed the Shenandoah River and forced back Kenly's pickets. Jackson's infantry approached Front Royal from the south, entered the city and drove back US skirmishers. Kenly reassembled his force at Richards' Hill, but a frontal attack, by both Confederate cavalry and infantry forced him to flee to Guard Hill, pursued by Jackson's men.

While the infantry made a frontal assault, the cavalry skirmished closely with the Federals. The outnumbered US troops continued the retreat near Winchester, where Flournoy outflanked them, Kenly was wounded and their resistance collapsed.

Answer: James Shields

After his Front Royal victory, Stonewall Jackson wanted to defeat and, if possible, to annihilate Nathaniel Banks' force. Initially, he hoped that he could win the race for the city of Winchester but Banks managed to arrive first. He positioned Gordon at the right, atop Bower's Hill. Hatch's cavalry was assigned to hold Camp Hill at the center of the line. Donnelly was placed at the Milwood road, protecting the left.

Answer: Isaac Trimble's

The Confederate attack was a very successful one. Ewell outflanked Donnelly and forced him to retreat inside Winchester, while Jackson swept Bower's Hill and crumpled the Union right with the "Louisiana Tigers" led by Richard Taylor. Banks, seeing the collapse of his force, fled towards the Potomac River. Jackson pursued and took many prisoners.

Answer: Samuel Carroll's

The Battle of Cross Keys was fought on June 8, 1862. A Union force under John C. Fremont attacked Jackson's men, seeking to dislodge them from their position. Carroll's attack was checked and his troopers were pursued. Fremont advanced towards Union Church and the Keezletown Road, but they were forced back and Isaac Trimble's Confederate brigade occupied Victory Hill nearby.

The Union counterattack was repelled. The Confederates resumed their advance, outflanking the Union positions one by one. Fremont's attempt to counterattack was uncoordinated and he was forced to retreat.

Answer: Erastus Tyler

The Battle of Port Republic was the last battle of the Valley Campaign, fought on June 9, 1862, one day after the Battle of Cross Keys. Tyler's forces were originally part of James Shields' Union division, but the rest of Shields' troopers had trouble crossing the muddy Luray River, leaving Tyler to command the Federal forces present.

Answer: Charles S. Winder

On the morning of June 9, 1862 Jackson sent Stonewall Brigade to assault Tyler's position, but they were initially pinned down and suffered casualties. The Federals launched a counterattack, gaining some ground. Jackson reinforced the attackers and the center of the US position fell into CS hands. Jackson pressed Tyler and took hundreds of prisoners, the Federals retreated, leaving Jackson victorious and in control of the Valley.