From Gen. Banks’ Division

WINCHESTER, Va., March 12.

Gen. Jackson’s forces left here last night by the Strasburg road.

The forces of Gens. Hamilton and Williams are just entering the town.

There was a strong fort one mile out which was evacuated by Gen. Jackson last night.

The regiments as they pass along are cheered and greeted from the houses by the citizens, and responded to by our officers and men.

The other column of Gen. Banks’ division, which will approach by the Berryville route, have not yet arrived.  Not a shot has been fired.

Yesterday the rebels arrested eighty of the most prominent Unionists and sent them to Richmond.

Coffee is from 75c to $1 per pound; sugar 25c to 37c; calicoes 50c.  Other articles are more abundant.

It is represented by the resident friends of the Union that two-thirds of the people of the town and county are loyal, but have been compelled to succumb to the secession pressure, so far as the expression of opinion is concerned.

There have been no Richmond papers received here for a week, and the citizens are entirely ignorant of the thrilling events which have transpired within that period.

SECOND DISPATCH.

Gen. Jackson’s force yesterday consisted of Loring’s brigade, and several field batteries, and 300 of Ashley’s [sic] cavalry – about 4,000 in all.  The commenced evacuating the place about sunset last night.  The cavalry were the last to leave.  The departed just before we entered the town.

It is represented that there is a large secession force at Strasburg, and that they intend to make a stand there, owing to the state of affairs at Manassas.  It is believed that Gen. Jackson will make his way up the Shenandoah valley to the Virginia Central Railroad, and thence to Richmond.

Prominent secessionists here say that the rebel forces will make a stand ad Gordonsville, and have fortified to a great extent.  Several prisoners and a small amount of ammunition were all the seizures we have made.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1

Rev. Dr. Quintard

We had the pleasure of meeting this estimable gentleman in our city yesterday.  We understand that he has resigned his position on the staff of Gen. Loring, now in Virginia, and returned to Tennessee for the purpose of resuming his former relation to the 1^st regiment of Tennessee volunteers.  His return will be the occasion of general rejoicing among our gallant Tennessee troops.  No man has been more self-sacrificing in his efforts to be useful, and no one is more universally beloved in this portion of the army with which he has been connected.  The services of such an man are invaluable to the country.

– Published in The Daily Rebel, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Saturday, August 9, 1862, p. 2

Memorial Service At McGavock Confederate Cemetery

Earlier today, in observance of Tennessee's Confederate Decor-ation Day (June 3rd, Jefferson Davis' birthday), I attended the annual commemoration by the United Daughters of the Confederacy at McGavock Confederate Cemetery on the grounds of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN, in . Kraig McNutt has a nice write up of the service on his blog. You can even see me in the 2nd picture in the article, standing just left of center, in the blue plaid shirt with the yellow t-shirt underneath. Included in the service was the reading of a poem, We All Drank From The Same Canteen. Another nice blog entry about the service can be found at the McGavock Confederate Confederate Cemetery At Carnton blog.

Being a transplanted Iowa Yankee, this was the first event of this kind that I have attended. Though I must say, I found it a bit odd to recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, and then immediately thereafter to recite a pledge to the Confederate flag. There is, however, something so very poignant about Amazing Grace played on bagpipes in a cemetery followed by Taps. It's hard, if not impossible, not to be moved by such ceremonies, no matter the color of the uniform.

After the service Carnton historian, Eric Jacobson, led a brief ceremony to dedicate a bronze marker honoring Maj. Gen. William W. Loring and his division of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana troops and their role in The Battle of Franklin.