The second battle of Kernstown (July 24, 1864) was fought on much the same land as the first battle two years before. This time the Confederates beat the Union forces

On July 24, 1864, General Early sent divisions under Ramseur, Gordon, Wharton and Rodes past the Opequon Church and up Pritchard's Hill forcing the Union troops behind a stone wall along the lane leading from the Pritchard home. The picture above shows the Confederate perspective from the church to the hill and the other two show the stone wall to which the Union forces withdrew

Union forces under Cols. James A. Mulligan and Rutherford B. Hayes (later President) held the Confederate forces while the other Union troops withdrew. The Confederates soon outflanked the Union forces forcing them to withdraw back through Winchester to the Star Fort. Mulligan lost his life during this last encounter

Alan M. Di Sciullo photo

2nd Kernstown
 
Stone Wall on Pritchard's Hill

Alan M. Di Sciullo photo