Jackson and Kernstown

[millerpsc]

Why is it that people consider Kernstown a defeat? When I read on the situation Jackson was facing at the time I see kernstown as one of his greatest accomplishments. His goals were to hold Kimball in the valley so as not to allow him to move on richmond. Objective was accomplished, so why do people harp on Jackson over it?

 

[AUG]

Why is it that people consider Kernstown a defeat? When I read on the situation Jackson was facing at the time I see kernstown as one of his greatest accomplishments. His goals were to hold Kimball in the valley so as not to allow him to move on richmond. Objective was accomplished, so why do people harp on Jackson over it?

It was considered a tactical victory for the Federals but a strategic victory for Jackson. Garnett's Brigade retreated from the stone wall when they ran out of ammunition and left Samuel V. Fulkerson's Brigade's flank exposed, which caused them to retreat. Jackson sent in Jesse S. Burk's Brigade to counter attack Erastus B. Tyler's attack, but they got their too late and fell back as well. Jackson was pushed out of the position and the Kimball successfully took the position, so that's a tactical victory for the Federals.

 

[millerpsc]

It was considered a tactical victory for the Federals but a strategic victory for Jackson. Garnett's Brigade retreated from the stone wall when they ran out of ammunition and left Samuel V. Fulkerson's Brigade's flank exposed, which caused them to retreat. Jackson sent in Jesse S. Burk's Brigade to counter attack Erastus B. Tyler's attack, but they got their too late and fell back as well. Jackson was pushed out of the position and the Kimball successfully took the position, so that's a tactical victory for the Federals.

I agree completely, Jackson was pushed back and forced to retreat, but he still accomplished his objective and i might be wrong but a strategic victory is more important than a tactical victory. So can you consider Kernstown a defeat for jackson? The only battle/campaign that jackson failed in his objectives was the seven days battles, but considering the intense marches and countermarches that he had performed during the previous, (what 2 months?) i cant blame him for performing poorly.