Scope and Contents The following is a partial transcription: "I was initiated into not the mysteries, but of the realities of war. The first dose being taken before the Union Forces under General Patterson six miles from Winchester and awaited an opportunity along with the rest of my comrades in arms to take another." He continues, "Early on the morning of the 6th day of July 1861, the long roll was sounded and soon our entire army there encamped and was in line of battle with muskets loaded, prepared for the...