Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.166

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History of Cambria County, V.2

166 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

they swarm over the country formed in brigades, divisions and corps. It is without exception the most beautiful natural country I ever saw, and it is the few remaining traces of former beauty that now give it the mournful aspect it has. There is no painting of War that can ever do justice to the scene of wide spread desolation everywhere visible here. Yesterday I rode out through Winchester to take a look at the old battle ground of the Opequan of September 19th; it was the first time I saw it since I passed over it in the battle and of course everything looked different--no wonder--broken guns and wheels, sunken graves and here and there a bleached bone which of course, no passer-by feels obliged to cover up. The last stand of the rebels was made close to the town, whether they suffered much or not I cannot tell, but that part of the town paid dearly for it. The Hon. J. G. Mason had here a princely mansion and magnificent surroundings; he is now playing traitor in France and his delicate hearthstone lies bare to the winds.
    There is no telling when and where all this is going to end. There is such a sea of bitterness and hatred between the two parties in this war that it occurs to me the prospect of peace is yet distant. There has been too much destruction in the Valley this summer and for the protection of Pennsylvania, we will be compelled to keep an army here all the time. The loss in Rockingham county is estimated at twenty-five millions.
    When I returned to camp in the evening, I was somewhat surprised at an unusual stir and seeing the brigade in line and subsequently was informed that Mosby had this time come nearer to camp. A day or two ago that ubiquitous personage came up and took the horses and wagons from our men who were cutting fire wood not a great distance from camp; today he had the temerity to come in and make a fatigue party quit work on a fort almost within rifle shot of our camp; the fatigue party however, were unarmed; there is not a day but what something is "done by Mosby." The majority of his men are as perfect brigands and highwaymen as ever cursed a country, yet their praise is sung in every Southern family. * * *

Same place, Sunday Night, November 29, 1864.
    * * * Some time ago it was called "Kelley's War" and "Campbell's War," and some times "Mulligans Fair" a la Donnybrook, but recently things have changed. * * * Read "Les Miserables." * * *

    In the Woods. (At Opequan ford, on the Front Royal Road, Va.)
December 8, 1864.
    * * * I have been lying around quite loose for some time back, carelessly, and like Micawber waiting for something to turn up; having nothing else to turn our attention to we put in the time by changing around. After soiling a nice wheat field

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166	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
they swarm over the country formed in brigades, divisions and corps. It is without exception the most beautiful natural country I ever saw, and it is the few remaining traces of former beauty that now give it the mournful aspect it has. There is no painting of War that can ever do justice to the scene of wide spread desolation everywhere visible here. Yesterday I rode out through Winchester to take a look at the old battle ground of the Opequan of September 19th; it was the first time I saw it since I passed over it in the battle and of course everything looked different--no wonder--broken guns and wheels, sunken graves and here and there a bleached bone which of course, no passer-by feels obliged to cover up. The last stand of the rebels was made close to the town, whether they suffered much or not I cannot tell, but that part of the town paid dearly for it. The Hon. J. G. Mason had here a princely mansion and magnificent surroundings; he is now playing traitor in France and his delicate hearthstone lies bare to the winds. There is no telling when and where all this is going to end. There is such a sea of bitterness and hatred between the two parties in this war that it occurs to me the prospect of peace is yet distant. There has been too much destruction in the Valley this summer and for the protection of Pennsylvania, we will be compelled to keep an army here all the time. The loss in Rockingham county is estimated at twenty-five millions. When I returned to camp in the evening, I was somewhat surprised at an unusual stir and seeing the brigade in line and subsequently was informed that Mosby had this time come nearer to camp. A day or two ago that ubiquitous personage came up and took the horses and wagons from our men who were cutting fire wood not a great distance from camp; today he had the temerity to come in and make a fatigue party quit work on a fort almost within rifle shot of our camp; the fatigue party however, were unarmed; there is not a day but what something is "done by Mosby." The majority of his men are as perfect brigands and highwaymen as ever cursed a country, yet their praise is sung in every Southern family. * * * Same place, Sunday Night, November 29, 1864. * * * Some time ago it was called "Kelley's War" and "Campbell's War," and some times "Mulligans Fair" a la Donnybrook, but recently things have changed. * * * Read "Les Miserables." * * * In the Woods. (At Opequan ford, on the Front Royal Road, Va.) December 8, 1864. * * * I have been lying around quite loose for some time back, carelessly, and like Micawber waiting for something to turn up; having nothing else to turn our attention to we put in the time by changing around. After soiling a nice wheat field