Thirty-one year-old Virginia Military Institute graduate Colonel George Smith Patton was leading his regiment, the 22nd Virginia, at the Third Battle of Winchester when he was mortally wounded six days before..  He died six days in Winchester and was buried in the town.  His son became the first mayor of San Marino, California, and his son, the colonel's grandson, became General George S. Patton, of World World II fame. (By John Osborne)    

Thirty-one year-old Virginia Military Institute graduate Colonel George Smith Patton was leading his regiment, the 22nd Virginia, at the Third Battle of Winchester when he was mortally wounded.  He died six days later in Winchester and is buried in the town.  His son went on to become the first mayor of San Marino, California, and his son, the colonel's grandson, became General George S. Patton, of World World II fame. (By John Osborne)    

After concentrating forces over several weeks, Union General Philip Sheridan aimed his Army of the Shenandoah directly at Confederate held Winchester.  In a day-long battle, the outnumbered Confederate General Jubal Early was forced to abandon the defense and the town fell in the evening hours.  Casualties were heavy; the Union lost more than 5000 dead and wounded and the Confederates around 3600. (By John Osborne)

Confederate cavalry, three thousand strong and under the command of General Wade Hampton made an audacious raid on Union cattle pens at Coggin's Point, Virginia. They secured and transported back to their lines a reported 2,485 cattle and 304 human prisoners.  Known ever since as the "Beefsteak Raid," the effort raised Confederate morale and fed their troops, for a time, at least.  (By John Osborne)