As a key crossroads at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester was strategic for both sides. The SV was a potential invasion route. If the Confederates controlled Winchester, they controlled their breadbasket, which was farther south in the SV. If the Union controlled Winchester, they prevented the SV from being used as an invasion route into the north. Winchester changed hands an amazing 72 times during the war, or about once every 2-3 weeks.

Local pharmacist in historic district was expanding his store which had been there since before the Civil War, broke through a wall and found a hidden room with a bunch of old stock, labware and a number of documents. Found two sets of ledgers that the owner kept, one for when the Union was occupying the town, one for when the Confederates were in charge. Didn't want them to think he was helping the "other" side while they were there. He got to go down and catalogue a lot of the artifacts they found. They donated all of the lab equipment and documents to the University for display. Reminded me of the ferry scene from The Outlaw Josey Wales