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6,000, and in cavalry 750.
There were also twenty-four pieces of artillery, and one company of Massachusetts sharp-shooters.
The battle of Kernstown, as the Confederates call it, was fought on a high ridge, which beyond the western limits of Winchester extends in a north-easterly and south-westerly direction.
So does the Strasburg or Valley Turnpike trace its course, crossing for a distance of two miles from Winchester to the toll-gate, the eastern foot-hills of the ridge, where, diverging, it passes Kernstown, nearly three miles from the crest.
The ridge commands both the Strasburg road, from Kernstown to Winclester, and the surrounding country, which is open and cultivated.
Upon Jackson's arrival near Kernstown he found a strong force of Federals on both sides of the pike, about one mile north of the town; with their left strengthened to resist Ashby's attacks, and centre supported by guns on a hill (between the pike and a dirt road, called the middle road), known as Pritchard's Hill.
But on the Federal light, towards the crest of the ridge, there did seem to the astute Jackson to be a fair chance of turning the enemy's line, and at the same time gain the advantage of a commanding position over his enemy on the plain below.
And this plan, while Ashby was pounding away with his guns against the Federal left, he proceeded to carry out. It was, by the way, this hammering that Major Crane had heard when he sent me the note I have alluded to.
Leaving Colonel Burks to support Ashby, Jackson led
James R. Osgood and Company, 1883.
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