Mrs. Jackson's arrival at Winchester

As you are probably aware I have been reading The Life and Letters of Stonewall Jackson by Mary Anna Jackson. I have posted several quotes from Stonewall Jackson but none from Mrs. Jackson. Like Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Jackson is a wonderful writer herself. The stories both of these ladies write are very descriptive and usually give you the feeling like you are there. I read this portion of text today while on my lunch break and I thought it was such a charming story, I had to post it. I believe this story took place in the winter of 1861. Mrs. Jackson was able to travel to Winchester where her husband was stationed to see him after the war started. It was an awkward time to travel alone as a lady, with so much in confusion in the country. Here is were her story picks up. Mrs. Jackson writes:

"It can readily be imagined with what delight General Jackson's domestic plans for the winter were hailed by me, and without waiting for the promised "aide" to be sent on as my escort, I joined some friends who were going to Richmond, where I spent a few days to shop, procure a passport, and to wait an escort to Winchester. The latter was soon found in a kind-hearted but absent-minded old clergyman, who occupied himself so assiduously in taking care of the little woman he had in charge that he entirely forgot to look after her baggage (a very necessary precaution in the upturned and disjointed condition in which the country then was), and the result was a lost trunk! We travelled by stage-coach from Strasburg, and were told, before reaching Winchester, that General Jackson was not there, having gone with his command on an expedition to demolish Dam No. 5 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It was therefore with a feeling of sad disappointment and loneliness that I alighted from the stage-coach in front of Taylor's Hotel at midnight in the early part of dreary, cold December, and no husband to meet me with a glad welcome. By the dim lamp-light I noticed a small group of soldiers standing on the sidewalk, but they remained as silent spectators, and my escort led me up the long stairway, doubtless feeling disappointed himself that he still had me on his hands. Just before reaching the landing I turned to look back, for one figure among that group looked startlingly familiar, but as he had not come forward, I felt that I must be mistaken. However, my backward glance did reveal an officer muffled up in a military overcoat, and cap drawn down over his eyes, following us in rapid pursuit, and by the time we were upon the top step a pair of strong arms caught me in the rear; the captive's head was thrown back, and she was kissed again and again by her husband, before she could realize the delightful surprise he had given her. The good old minister chuckled gleefully, and was no doubt a sincere sharer in the joy and relief experienced by his charge. When I asked my husband why he did not come forward when I got out of the coach, he said he wanted to assure himself that it was his own wife, as he didn't want to commit the blunder of kissing anybody else's esposa. He had returned but a few hours before to spend the Sabbath in Winchester, and with the hope of my arrival upon the midnight stage."