Here is the diary of Brigadier General Chjarles Winder's diary for the dates 3 May through 9 June 1862. The original is in the holdings of the Maryland Historical Society. I purchased a microfilm of the diary and transcribed it for use in developing my itinerary.
Saturday May 3
A beautiful bright day. Up at 6 am, packed and moved about 8. A very warm day. Crossed the Blue Ridge at Brown’s Gap. Road better than any previous day’s. Moved easily. Camped before dusk.
Spent night at Mr. Brown’s. A warm day, sun hot.
Sunday May 4
Orders to move at 8 AM. Marched 4 miles beyond Meachum’s River Station. Stopped at Mr. Filman’s. A clever, hospitable gentlemen. Pleasant day. Awakened at 2 AM by couriers. No more sleep.
Monday May 5
Up at 5 AM. Marched as 6:30 AM. to Afton Station 8 miles. Waited all day for cars Wagons sucton (?). Had a fatiguing day & night, not getting off until daylight.
Tuesday May 6th.
Reached camp near Staunton 4 miles shortly after sunrise. Liked area. Breakfasted at Smith’s House. Took a nap. In afternoon, ran to the front, saw Gen’l J. Orders to move in morning. Oh how I long to see my pets. Wrote to Alicia, also Gov. Pickens sending a check.
Wednesday May 7
A bright warm day. Left camp at 6 AM. Marched west 16 miles to top of North Mountain, where I camped. A cold night.
Thursday, May 8th.
A bright cool morning. Up early,. Left camp at shortly after 5 AM. Crossed Shenandoah Mountain. Hearing firing, left knapsacks at foot of Mountain.
Marched partially up Bull Pasture Mountain. Returned and camped where knapsacks were waiting. 20 miles. A bloody engagement in evening. Johnson’s army being then in front with Taliaffero’s (sic) and Campbell’s Brigades in a short time. Our loss heavy. Ordered out about 8 PM. Marched 6 miles to field in quick time. Firing ceased. Ordered to camp again. Having marched 35 miles (sic) in all. In camp about 2 hours when we were ordered out.
Friday 9
Left camp at 5. Marched to battlefield. Then on beyond McDowell, making ten miles. Enemy had withdrawn hastily, leaving stores, burning others. All tired & exhausted. Trains came up at 9 PM, dined at 11 PM. First meal for me in 2 days.
Saturday 10
A bright morning. Up at dawn. Moved at 6 AM, marched towards Franklin. Making 12 miles. Had a sharp skirmish of ½ hour with enemy. Had his wounded. Balls passed near. A kind Providence guarded me safely thru the dangers. Camp. No wagons. Very tired. Got to bed by 12 PM. Oh how I long to see my darling pets.
Sunday 11
The above diary sh’d have been for this day. Yesterday we marched 13 miles on road towards Franklin. No incidents occurred of note.
Monday 12
A bright morning. Up at early. Waggons sent to rear. Went to the front and reconnoitred enemy’s position. C’d not find way up. Ordered to move back at 2 PM, which was done. Day very warm. Oh that I c’d see my own darling wife & pets. I d miss them so dearly.
Tuesday 13
A bright pleasant day. Up early having slept soundly. Remained at camp, until 3 PM. Rested and read papers during morning. Marched 4¼ miles. Camp at camp of yesterday, getting in before night.
Wednesday 14
A dark morning. Raining hard. Up at 4.30. Got ready to start. Did not leave until 7. Marched from 15 miles, camping near McDowell. A cold wet night.
Thursday 15
A cold cloudy morning. Up early moved at 9:30 AM. Slow work. Raw and disagreeable. Made 13 miles. Crossing Shenandoah Mountain. A mo night, raw and disagreeable.
Friday 16
A cloudy disagreeable morning. Wet & unpleasant. Remained in camp. Raining at intervals. Capt. Powell dined with me. Wrote to my dear wife & Ma. Also to Jim Brown. Lyd. ___ Seized with diarrhoea & suffered much. Bad night. Rained hard.
Saturday 17
Up a little late, being unwell. Moved about 7, made Stribling’s White Sulphur Springs. Some 13 miles. Felt badly during day. Sun bright & warm. Camped at Springs. Brigade near.
Sunday 18
A bright warm morning. Felt quite unwell. Did not get up until late. Sent for Dr. Took some medicine. Felt better by mid-day. Dressed and read merry lessons. Orally. A warm day. Being depressed of it so long. Remained quietly in camp. Thunderstorm in afternoon, not out of camp until evening. Mrs. Kinney sent me a new knapsack and her day her a pretty long. Oh how I’ve thought of my family and longing to a see them. Bless them.
Monday 18
A cloudy damp morning. Cleared brightly. Warm day. Marched thru a beautiful & firm country, passing Mount Solon & Bridgewater. Camped 1 mile beyond last named place. Making 13 miles.
Tuesday 20.
A bright morning. Up at 3:30 AM, breakfasted, left camp shortly after 5. Marched to Harrisonburg 17 miles, and 10½ miles beyond. Every bridge out is down in town and did not shop. Day overcast. Some few drops of rain. Dust bad. Felt tired. Took a lunch on road. Camped before 4 PM.
Wednesday 21
A bright warm day. Up early. Left camp at 6 AM. Soon came on advance brigade. Waited long time. Went to New Market, did some shopping. Waited to dine & accepted. Joined Brigade moving through town. Camped part of the way up mountain. Made 12 miles.
Thursday 22
A cloudy morning. Up at daylight, moved at 6 AM. Made 18 miles, camping beyond Luray. Had a pleasant day. Lunch at Mrs Jordan’s. All so hospitable and polite, quite gratifying. Really enjoyed myself.
Friday 23
Up at 2:30 AM moved at 5 toward Front Royal. Day alternatively hot and dusty. Made 26 miles to town. Late on arriving & all tired. Staid at Mr. Roy’s and had supper & breakfast. The advance had engaged and the 1st Maryland CSA encountered and defeated 1st Md of Yankee Army.
Saturday 24
Up at dawn. Dressed. Sent for and ordered forward. Marched all day & night. The advance guard during night. Frequent ambuscades. No moon. Steadily on.
Sunday 25
At dawn, found ourselves 1¼ miles of Winchester. The enemy occupying a hill in front. Was ordered to occupy it. Made nec’y dispositions, moved, formed and attacked. Had a hot contest for 3 or 4 hours, when we drove the enemy from his positions. Pursued beyond W- some three of four miles. Had a complete victory and all exhausted. Camped during day. Very tired. Waggons did not come up until night. Started for Mr. Carter’s. Nothing to eat for 48 hours.
Monday 26
Remained in camp. Nothing. Rode to W. and dined. Enjoyed the day much. Came out late in evening.
Tuesday 27
Cloudy morning, Hot day. Rec’d orders to march. Reported to General. Returned to camp too late to march.
Wednesday 28
A bright morning. Storms during morning. Up at 3 AM. Marched at 5 for Charlestown. When within five miles, heard the enemy had possession of it. Advanced strongly. Found them in line of battle. Attacked them and in half an hour, drove them from their position. There had the some and to Bolivar Hill. Quiet every the people very hospitable. Stayed with Mr. Hank. Gen’l Ewell arrived with reinforcements.
Thursday 29
Up early. The Gen. came up. In front, all had some firing. Returned to camp in evening. Very tired.
Friday 30
Up at 5. Went to the front. Advanced near Bolivar Hill. Enemy tried to draw us out. Heard of Shields advance. Sent 2nd Va to left. My brigade remained here. Various reports of the enemy advancing on all sides. Looked squally. Rec’d letter from my darling wife & Ma. Thank God all are well. Oh that they may continue so.
Saturday 31
A cloudy wet morning. Up at 4.30 AM. Moved back to Bartonsville, 6 miles beyond Winchester. Hard marching. All much fatigued. Passed thru W. at dusk & took tea.
Sunday June 1st
Up at 3 AM. Moved by 3.30. Rainy disagreeable morning. Moved to camp 5 miles beyond Strasburg. Enemy threatening. Some skirmishing. Made camp at 11 PM. All worn out. Rumors and couriers came all night & did not close my eyes. Dreary rain during day and night.
Monday 2
Heavy rain in morning. Up at 3.15 AM. Moved at 4-. Moved to Mount Jackson. 19 miles. Enemy attacked the rear and had a skirmish just below Woodstock. Formed line of battle and checked them. Very wet and tired. Stopped at Dr. Tripplets. Slept sound.
Tuesday 3
Up late at 6 AM. Moved camp 6 miles wood near New market. Enemy advanced to Mt. Jackson. Army moved near New Market. Heavy rain. Did not move. Rained hard all night. Had letters and such from my beloved wife & Ma. Oh that I could see them all. Thank God they are all well.
Wednesday 4
A dark day. Heavy rain. Up late. All quiet. Did not move out of tents. Read paper old ones. At 1 PM, rec’d orders to send baggage to rear. Enemy advanced beyond Mt. Jackson, were then driven back. Orders to move to rear. Moved eight miles to Big Spring. Got in Camp late. All tired.
Thursday 5
A cloudy day. Sunshine & showers alternatively. Trains started at 3 AM. Troops before 8 or 9 AM. Marched 21 miles to within one mile of Port Republic. Men came in from 10 PM to next morning. All exhausted. A hard march. Jackson is insane on these rapid marches. Slept soundly.
Friday 6
A cloudy morning. Men coming in slowly all worn out. Wagons off about 9 AM. Awaiting orders. Orders to remain in camp. Wagons brought back. Had a good nap. A very heavy skirmishing afternoon. Cavalry and Inf’y on both ends. Poor Ashby was killed. A great loss to us & our cause. God’s will be done. I slept pretty well. Rec’d orders at 12.30 to move.
Saturday 7
A bright morning. Up at 3 AM. Wagons off shortly after 4. Felt cad at death of the brave Ashby. Waiting orders in camp. Growing disgusted with Jackson.
Sunday 8
Up later than usual. Went with Genl Jackson, requesting to hear his command. Enemy surprised him about 8.30 AM, appearing in Port Republic. Capturing some of his staff. He made narrow escape. Brigade soon out. Artillery was put in position on bluff and their battery silenced. I then concentrated 8 pieces on their column of Infantry and drove it back with my pieces. I poured in a heavy fire as long as within range. Held that position all day. Genl Ewell was attacked by Fremont in front. Terrible cannonading. Fight lasted all day. Drove the enemy from all points. Camped late just beyond Port R---.
Monday 9
Up at 3.45. Brigade formed & crossed south River. Moved down Shenandoah Valley in two miles encountered enemy’s pickets. Ordered to drive them in and attack. Made dispositions of my forces. Had a terrible fight. The left repulsed and enemy in strong force. Tried to rally my men but failed. The musketry was tremendous. Loss great. My horse shot three times. Obliged to dismount. Thanks to our Heavenly Father, I escaped unhurt. Reinforcements stormed forward on right. Some men rallied on left and pieces advanced. Drove them from field and pursued some 4 miles. Centered with infty(?) and camped on summit of Blue Ridge, reaching camp about midnight, greatly exhausted had some thing to eat and retired.
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