Three Days in the Shenandoah: Stonewall Jackson at Front Royal and Winchester

To provide a more realistic interpretation of the battles of Front Royal and Winchester and their effect on the larger campaign, Ecelbarger focuses on five broad questions that revolve around the relationship between the Union and Confederate war departments and the campaign, the ability of Union forces to escape from overwhelming odds, and Confederate slowness and hesitation. Reflecting current historical trends, his study pays close attention to the role that civilians played in the events - from inspiring Jackson to claim that the capture of Winchester was one of the most stirring scenes in his life to firing on Union soldiers as they retreated through the town.