<prompt> Bhala ukuqhubeka kwalesi sigaba - Lapho kugqashuka iMpi Yombango, ekuqaleni uKirkland wamiswa njengokaputeni ebuthweni le-Confederate wabe esekhethwa njengekholonili ye-11th North Carolina Volunteers, kamuva eyabizwa nge-21st North Carolina, ngoJuni 1861. Wayala i-regiment yakhe e-First Manassas njengengxenye ye-Brig. Gen Milledge Bonhams brigade, kodwa akazange ahlanganyele kakhulu. Ngo-Okthoba, i-21st North Carolina yahlanganiswa ne-Isaac Trimbles brigade futhi entwasahlobo elandelayo, wabamba iqhaza ku-Stonewall Jacksons Shenandoah Valley Campaign. UKirkland wadutshulwa ezinqeni zombili ngesikhathi seMpi Yokuqala yaseWinchester  <response>: , okwamenza wangakwazi ukusebenza izinyanga eziningana. Ngenkathi elulama, uKirkland wasebenza njengenhloko yezisebenzi zikaPatrick Cleburne ngesikhathi somkhankaso waseMurfreesboro ngoDisemba 1862. 