Sheridan's and Early's troops are fighting in the Valley. We
suffered a disaster near Martinsburg, and our troops fell back to Strasburg;
had a fight on the old battle-ground at Kernstown, and we drove the enemy through
Winchester to Martinsburg, which our troops took possession of. Poor
Winchester, how checkered its history throughout the war! Abounding with
patriotism as it is, what a blessing it must be to have a breath of free air,
even though it be for a short time! Their welcome of our soldiers is always so
joyous, so bounding, so generous! How they must enjoy the blessed privilege of
speaking their own sentiments without having their servants listening and
acting as spies in their houses, and of being able to hear from or write to
their friends! Oh! I would that there was a prospect of their being
disenthralled forever.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 284-5
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