Winchester During the Civil War

Winchester During the Civil War. . , "Winchester [was] the key of the region." - John Esten Cooke, Winchester was on the front lines during the Civil War. Valuable to possess, but difficult to hold, it attracted armies, combat, and misery throughout the four long years of conflict., A key reason for Winchester's importance was the number of major roads that connected here--from north, south, east, and west--roads that drew trade and travel before the war, and opposing armies during it. "Excellent turnpike roads converged upon [Winchester]...like the fingers of an open hand," recalled writer John Esten Cooke. One of those roads was the Valley Turnpike--the interstate highway of its age--which ran right behind you, where the downtown walking mall is today. 250 feet to your left stands the historic Taylor hotel, a famed stopping point for travelers on the Turnpike, and which was used as a headquarters and hospital during the war. And directly in front of your is the 1840 Frederick County Courthouse, the most prominent building in the city, which was used as a barracks, prison, and hospital., Life was unsettled and uncertain for those who live here. The city changed hands over 70 times, and such sudden changes of fortune could be dangerous. Both pro-Confederate and pro-Union citizens were jailed or expelled from Winchester - depending upon who was in control., Fighting and fear were constant. six major battles and over 50 recorded actions were fought in and around Winchester, and sometimes the city itself became part of the battlefield. During the chaotic closing stages of the Third Battle of Winchester (September 19, 1864), the fighting swept right over the spot where you are standing., By the end of the war, many residents of the city were long gone, scores of buildings had been destroyed, infrastructure was crippled, and the economy was in shambles., Made possible by the generous support of Dennis Graham, (captions) , Confederates retreating through Winchester during the Third Battle of Winchester (September 19, 1864). You're standing directly in the path of this tumultuous scene. Sketch by James Taylor. - Image courtesy Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio., Civil War Cell Phone Tour , Dial Up History , Call 540-302-2877 , The Civil War in Winchester , Stop #21 , Call in to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation's free cell phone tour to learn more about the Civil War in Winchester., This detail from a map by Hal Jespersen shows the roads converging upon Winchester at the time of the Civil War.