Review: Winchester And The Civil War

Winchester and the Civil War: A Walk Through History

By Jonathan A. Noyalas

Self-guided walking tours are an excellent way to explore history, particularly when wayside exhibits or guidebooks help bring historical sites to life. Whether touring a museum, exploring a cemetery, or strolling through an entire neighborhood, a well-written guide can transform an ordinary walk into an educational experience. Winchester and the Civil War: A Walk Through History by Jonathan A. Noyalas is an excellent example of such a guidebook.

Winchester, Virginia, was strategically important during the Civil War because of its location along the Valley Pike, a major north–south transportation route through the Shenandoah Valley. The city played a central role in several operations during Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and Union forces under Major General Philip Sheridan fought major engagements in the vicinity in 1864, including the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19. Control of Winchester was essential to military operations in the lower Shenandoah Valley and influenced the approaches to Washington, D.C. Consequently, the city changed hands repeatedly between Union and Confederate forces.

In Winchester, Civil War history is quite literally everywhere you look. Jonathan A. Noyalas has compiled a 42-page guidebook featuring five walking tours with a total of 80 stops. Turn-by-turn directions lead visitors from one historic location to the next, while each stop includes a brief account of the site or the people who lived or worked there. Frequent “Did You Know?” features add interesting details that might otherwise go unnoticed, making the guide both informative and enjoyable.

Whether you are planning your first visit to Winchester or simply want to learn more about its remarkable Civil War history, Noyalas provides an excellent introduction to the city and its historic landscape. The guidebook helps visitors understand the significance of the places they encounter and the events that unfolded there.

If you have never visited Winchester, Winchester and the Civil War: A Walk Through History is an ideal way to familiarize yourself with the city before arriving. And if a visit is not possible, the book offers the next best thing to being there yourself.

ISBN 978-1681066943, Reedy Press, © 2026, Paperback, 42 pages, Photographs, Maps & Index. $17.00.  To purchase a copy of this book click HERE.

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 6, 1864

Hot and dry.

The booming of cannon heard yesterday evening was from one of our batteries below Drewry's Bluff. The enemy answered from their batteries, the existence of which we had no knowledge of before. No one was hurt.

About the same time Gen. Beauregard sprung a mine under the enemy's mine, and blew it up, no doubt destroying many lives. This was succeeded by heavy, but, perhaps, harmless shelling along the lines.

Another raiding party has been defeated and dispersed at Madison, Ga.

But we have been unfortunate in a naval engagement in the lower bay, at Mobile. We have lost Admiral Buchanan's ram “Tennessee,” and several other steamers. One of the enemy's monitors was sunk. They had five vessels to our one.

Battles are momentarily expected at Atlanta and Winchester. We have nothing additional from the North.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 261

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 8, 1864

Hot and dry.

There are rumors of battles near Winchester and in Georgia.

Mr. Benjamin writes the Secretary of War for a passport for who is going to New York, “for our service.” In the assault on the fortifications near Petersburg last week, it is said Hancock's (enemy's) corps lost half its men.

Watermelons have sold at $20 each; corn, $10 per dozen ears; and everything else in the markets in proportion.

My yellow tomatoes are just maturing. The dry weather has ruined nearly everything else in the garden.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 261-2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 10, 1864

Hot and dry until 4 P.M. Gust, and 15 minutes' rain. Good for turnips.

Forts Gaines and Powell are lost—the latter blown up. Gen. Maury telegraphs for infantry, has some 4000 men for the defense of Mobile, etc.

Our raiders, under McCausland and Bradley Johnson, it is said were surprised and defeated last Sunday, with loss of 400 men, 500 horses, and 4 pieces of artillery. A rumor prevails that Early has gained another victory near Winchester.

No news yet from our agent sent to North Carolina to purchase supplies, but we learn flour and bacon are not held one-quarter as high there as here. I do sincerely hope Grant's raiders will keep quiet until I can get something to eat !

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 262

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes, November 17, 1864

Read speculations on Sherman's new move. Great hopes of his success. Rode into Winchester with Colonel Harris and Captain McKinley; called at Mr. Williams' law office; read the constitutional provisions as to amendments.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 537

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, August 16, 1864

CEDAR CREEK, NEAR STRASBURG, August 16, 1864.

DARLING: – We are still here observing the enemy and skirmishing with him daily. Yesterday with [the]Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth had a very brisk skirmish; lost two killed, twelve wounded. One of [the] color corporals in Twenty-third (Corporal Hughes) killed. We are gaining in strength and spirits daily. Numbers supposed to have been killed at Winchester turn out to be only wounded.  Love to all.

Affectionately, ever, 

R. 

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 494