The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-10-11
LOYAL QUAKER GIRL
Proved a Friend to Gen. Sheridan
in Time sof Need
Cpon Information Furnished by Her
the Battle of Winchester Was
FouEht-Little PhiIs
Grat1.udc.
Especial washington letter.

MA. GEN. PHILIP H: sHERlDAN-
pendent battle upon the advice
of a woman; and She, be it observed,
was little Quakeress whose sect be-
lieves in peace. OF the truth of this
statement we have Gen. Sheridan's
written testimony.
Gen. Sheridan had always fought
under the command of other generals
until he was placed in command OF the
middle military division, composed OF
the Eighth, Sixth and Nineteenth in
family corps, and the cavalry corps OF
the Army of the Potomac. This force
was sent by order of Gen. Grant to
clear the valley of Virginia not only
of armed foes, but of all provisions. 1t
was war in all it's cruelty, Tor 1T
brought ruin and suffering to defense
less women and children. But as
war measure it was necessity, for
the fertile valley of Virginia furnished
all of the food supplies for the army
of Lee. Confederate soldiers recog-
nize that campaign as war measure,
but the writer has seen and conversed
with many elderly ladies there who
hate the name of Sheridan because of
the sufferings. which they endured.
While preparing for his initial move
ments in the vicinity of Winchester
Gen. Sheridan found it dificultto obtain
reliable information concerning the
location and number of Gen. Early's
forces. At last Rebecca L. Wright, a
little Quaker girl residing in
Winchester, gave him accurate infor-
nation, and upon. that; he planned,
fought and won the battle of Opequan
Creek, on September 10, 1864; the bat
tile being commonly termed the battle
of Winchester.
In the treasury department, in the
office of the treasurer, and in the re-
demption division, the little Quaker
girl is employed, and has been there
for many years. Her name is Mrs.
Bonsal now, and she is little more
than so years of age. She has gold
watch in which are inscribed the
words: Presented to Rebecca l..
Wright. September 10, '67, by Gen.
Phil Fl. Sheridan. A Memento of Sep
TENDER 10, "a. The watch is attached
to long gold chain fastened at the
neck with a horse shoe clasp, mill
tary gauntlet and stirrups. Hanging
from the short end of the chain is a
sword, seal and key. With the
watch came a letter, of which the fol
lowing is copy:
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf,
New Orleans, january 1867.
my Dear Miss Wright: You are prob
ably not aware of the services you rendered
the union cause by the information you
sent me by the colored man, few days
before the Opequee, on September IS, 1861
1t was upon this information that the bat
tie was fought and probably won. The col
ored man gave the note rolled up in tin
foil the scout, who awaited him at Mill
wood The colored man had carried 1t in
his mouth to that point and delivered it tc
the scout who brought it to me.
"By this note 1 became aware of the true
condition of affairs inside the enemy's
lines, and gave directions for the attack
will always remember this courageou:
and patriotic action of yours with graft
tude, and beg you to accept the watch ant
chain which / send you by Gen. l. w
Forsyth, as a memento of September IS
1864. Very respectfully yours,
"P H. SHERIDAN, Major General,
Mrs. Bonsal has placed this letter il
q double frame, SO that the writing OF