Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-10-21
Letter from a Virginia Lady.

!
Of all the towns in the Old Dominion
which has testimony 10 the horrors of the
late war, there is none which stands out
with greater prominence than the town Of
Winchester. Situated in The Valley Of
! Virginia, and sharing with lis other towns
the exquisite beauties Of landscape for
which it is so remarkable, il now exhib-
its sal picture of desolation and ruin.
Scarce tree is standing for miles
around The town, and the hills which
were once ornamented with beautiful
groves are now crowned with formidable
forlifcatIons. A few months ago and one
could scarce raise his eyes without look
ing DOWN the mouths of thunder, speak
ing artillery. placed for the defense Of
this Virginia town against VirgiDians.
One amongst the oldest settlements in
,he Stae-lhe very Oldest in the Valley
Winchester has crept through long life
time IN happy ignorance Of what fate had
in store for her. Unambitous of prog
ress, with few business attractions, she
was soon oulstripped by many who start.
ed in the race long after her. She was
truly only remarkable for the peace and
quietness within her borders.
See the changes which four years have
produced, years spent as picket at an
outpost, and she stands before US SCARED
scanned and warworn, yet still holding
her head erect, not ashamed of her record,
although the history of the war to her
has been one Of strange yicissitudes,
series Of triumphs and disasters following
hard upon each other. 1t has been oc-
cuped by one or the other army during
the entire war, until il has changed hands
eighty. -four times. The sounds of war
have become almost as familiar TO The in
habnants as household words. Every
spo, Of the country for miles around is
battlefield, and even the streets Of The
town have been The scene Of desperate
conflicts. A large portion of the ,owD
has been burned by retrealing armies,
their blackened ruins bearing sad testimo.
ny TO the horrors Of war. Many houses
have been pulled down, among others the
beautiful residence Of Mr.. James NJ. Ma
son, former Senator from Virginia.
In the spring of '6l, after the evacua
ton of Harpers Ferry, Winchester fun.
ished headquarters for Gen. Johnston;
from here he made his celebrated move
from Patlerson's front, across the Blue
Ridge, reinforcing Beauregsrd at Msnas
sas, and deciding the fortunes of the day.
1t was next the headquarters of Gen.
Jackson, in the Winter of '6l..'62; he
was much beloved by the inhabitants.
many of whom were personally acquant.
ed with him.
He made his first retreat from here in
March. 1862. and this was soon followed
by the battle of Kernstown Fought with
in sight Of the ,own), in which he was
forced with little handful of men TO re-
treat up the Valley. He was soon rein
forced, and then followed his expedition
to Mcdowell and Telurn down the Valley,
bis attack upon Banks at Front Royal,
capture Of his wagon train at Newtown,
followed The next day by the battle of
Winchester and advance 10 Martinsturg
and Harper's Ferry. After staying one
week in Winchester and vicinity Qong
enough to gather the stores collected in
the country, he again retreaied through
the town, meeting Fremont, Shields, ETC..
on his way back 10 Richmond. In 1863
Gen. Ewell attacked Gen. Mllroy in his
intrenchmenis, compelling the evacuation
of the place. But now the fortunes OF
war changed. for in the Summer of 1864,
Gen. Early being in command OF the
town and country, ten battles were fought
most Of them disasters TO the Confederate
cause. Since tha, time until the end Of
the war Winchester has been occupied
by the Federal forces.
When Virginia, by her convention,
adopted the ordinance of secession. four
6fhs of the inhabitants of Winchester
endorsed the step, and have throughout
the struggle continued ,ue to their first
convictions. There is scarce a family
that has not contributed some OF It's mem
bers 10 The Southern cause, and scarce
house in which there is not "one dead"
The citizens have been banished. many
of them, and are bot now returning to-
find themselves homeless and desolate.
Yet with all this. the people acquiesce,
sadly but quietly, in the presen, condition
Of things. The welfare Of their beloved
South is still nearest to their hearts, and
although i, was not accomplished in the
way they though, best, they ale ready TO
study her interests in any and every way
before aught else. and they look with
hope TO the time when the cloud which
overshsdows them will show iis silver
lining. When the hour Of her humiliation
,,,:u -, kx ,vban har hr,va sons nov in