Willmar tribune., 1901-10-09
LOYAL QUAKER. GIRL
Proved a Friend to Gen. Sheridan
in Time of Need. -
Upon Information Furnished BY Her
the Battle of Winchester Was
Fought-Little Phirs
Graxiruu:e,
Especial Washington Letter.1

Especial Washington Letter.1
NTAJ. GEN. PHILIP II. SHERIDAN
lV fought and won his first indie
pendent battle upon the advice
of a woman; and she, be it observed,
was little Quakeress whose sect be-
ieves 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
fanty 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. It
was war in all it's cruelty, for it
brought ruin and suffering to Defense
less women and children. But as a
war measure it was a 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.
They saw their crops ruined, the
homes, barns and fences burned; some
of them carrying infants in their arms
were left without roof, food or cloth
ing.
While preparing for his initial move
ments in the vicinity of Winchester
Gen. Sheridan found it difficult t o obtain
reliable information concerning the
location and number of Gen. Early's
forces. At last Rehecca 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
tie 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 a gold
watch in which are inscribed the
words: "Presented to Rebecca L..
Wright, September 10, '67, by Gen.
Phil 81. Sheridan. a Memento of Sep
tember 10, '64. The watch is attached
to long gold chain fastened at the
neck with horse shoe clasp, a mill
tary gauntlet and stirrups. Hanging
from the short end OF the chain is a
sword, a seal and key. With the
watch came letter, of which the fol-
lowing is COPY:
Headquarters, Department Of the Gulf,
New Orleans, January I, 1867.
my Dear Miss Wright: You are prob
ably not aware of the services you rendered
the union cause by the information you
sent NE by the colored man, few days
before the Opequee, on September 10, 1864.
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 to the scout, who awaited him at Mill
wood. The colored man had carried it in
his mouth to that point and delivered it to
the scout who brought it to me-
by this note became aware OF the true
condition of affairs inside the enemy's
lines, and gave directions for the attack.
will always remember this COURAGEOUS
and patriotic action of yours with graft
tude, and beg you to accept the watch and
chain which I send you by Gen. I. W.
Forsyth, as memento of September 70,
1854. Very respe ctfully yours,
''P. H. SHERIDAN, Major General"
Mrs. Bonsal has placed this letter in
double frame, so that the writing on
both sides can be seen through the
glass covering. On the back of the
letter is an autograph Endorsement by
Gen. Grant, requesting the appoint
ment of Miss Wright in the treasury
department, and upon that request
her original appointment was made.
While in the department she was mar
ried to Mr.. Bonsal, and after his death
she was reaPpointed and is regarded
as one of the best and most indus
trious clerks in the civil service.
The Quaker family of Wrights resid-
ed in Winchester. AS Quakers they
were opposed to war, prayed for peace,
but remained loyal to the union cause.
Because the father would not fight, he
was arrested and imprisoned by the
confederates, and died in prison be-
cause of confinement and hardships.
The widow lived on with her daughter