Sept. 19—Engage the enemy fiercely near Winchester and drive them, and they drive us. Gen. Rodes killed. Went into private house to see his body after he was brought into Winchester. His wife had spent some time in camp during preceding winter. We fall back to Strasburg, marching all night. Riding alone and very sad, at midnight, I overtake one or two thousand Federal prisoners. They began to sing, “We are going home to die no more.” My heart was touched. I shed tears as I thought many of them would die in Southern prisons. Get fifty Testaments, etc. Take position on breastworks near Strasburg.
Gen. Rodes killed
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •