On reading my communication Miss Wright was much startled by the perils it involved, and hesitatingly consulted her mother, but her devoted loyalty soon silenced every other consideration, and the brave girl resolved to comply with my request, notwithstanding it might jeopardize her life.  The evening before a convalescent Confederate officer had visited her mother’s house, and in conversation about the war had disclosed the fact that Kershaw’s division of infantry and Cutshaw’s battalion of artillery had started to rejoin General Lee.  At the time Miss Wright heard this she attached little if any importance to it, but now she perceived the value of the intelligence, and, as her first venture, determined to send it to me at once, which she did with a promise that in the future she would with great pleasure continue to transmit information by the negro messenger.

“September 15, 1864.

“I learn from Major-General Crook that you are a loyal lady, and still love the old flag.  Can you inform me of the position of Early’s forces, the number of divisions in his army, and the strength of any or all of them, and his probable or reported intentions?  Have any more troops arrived from Richmond, or are any more coming, or reported to be coming?

“You can trust the bearer.”

“I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

“P.  H. Sheridan, Major-General Commanding.”

“September 16, 1864.

“I have no communication whatever with the rebels, but will tell you what I know.  The division of General Kershaw, and Cutshaw’s artillery, twelve guns and men, General Anderson commanding, have been sent away, and no more are expected, as they cannot be spared from Richmond.  I do not know how the troops are situated, but the force is much smaller than represented.  I will take pleasure hereafter in learning all I can of their strength and position, and the bearer may call again.

“Very respectfully yours,”
............

Miss Wright’s answer proved of more value to me than she anticipated, for it not only quieted the conflicting reports concerning Anderson’s corps, but was most important in showing positively that Kershaw was gone, and this circumstance led, three days later, to the battle of the Opequon, or Winchester as it has been unofficially called.  Word to the effect that some of Early’s troops were under orders to return to Petersburg, and would start back at the first favorable opportunity, had been communicated to me already from many sources, but we had not been able to ascertain the date for their departure.  Now that they had actually started, I decided to wait before offering battle until Kershaw had gone so far as to preclude his return, feeling confident that my prudence would be justified by the improved chances of victory; and then, besides, Mr. Stanton kept reminding me that positive success was necessary to counteract