commander, although his wound's lingering effects and rheumatism led to his replacement by Gen. Richard B. Garnett on December 7, 1861 (and Preston would die at his home on January 20, 1862). That winter General Jackson tried to sever the Union supply lines, especially the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. He also promoted Mexican war veteran, lawyer and politician Charles A. Ronald to command the 4th Virginia. Ronald would lead the regiment for 18 months, until disabled by war wounds. By March 1862, the unit was only about a third of its normal strength due to sickness and resignations, but fought in the First Kernstown until its ammunition ran out, with 5 killed and 23 wounded. That battle led to Garnett's removal and replacement by Brig. Gen. Charles S. Winder. Since many volunteers' terms were expiring (and many deserted), the men were allowed to choose their officers, and chose Charles A. Ronald as their Colonel, Robert D. Gardner as Lt. Col., and William Terry as Major. That spring, the unit participated in Jackson's Valley Campaign, marching 646 miles in 28 days and fighting 4 battles and six skirmishes. The 4th Virginia was only peripherally involved during the first battle at Front Royal and the First Battle of Winchester. However, the Stonewall Brigade delivered the primary assault at Port Republic, and this unit lost only four men wounded. As part of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Seven Days' Battles, it only participated in the Battle of Gaines' Mill (during which its surgeon was killed but alert pickets would capture Federal General John F. Reynolds and one of his aides), and the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862, when it had 7 killed and 25 wounded. That campaign resulted in the loss of 8 killed and 48 wounded. Malaria, heat and skimpy rations took a higher toll before the Battle of Cedar Mountain engagement of August 8, 1862, where the unpopular General Winder was mortally wounded (as were 3 men of this unit and another 6 wounded). Col. Ronald was promoted to brigade command and Lt. Col. Gardner to lead the 4th Virginia. At the three-day Battle of Second Manassas, its ranks were reduced to fewer than 100 men, with 19 killed (including officers Col. William S.H. Baylor before his promotion to brigadier general could be approved, and Captains Hugh White and Andrew Gibson,