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Third Battle of Winchester

1864 in VirginiaBattles of the American Civil War in VirginiaBattles of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil WarCavalry chargesConflicts in 1864
Frederick County in the American Civil WarSeptember 1864 eventsUnion victories of the American Civil WarValley campaigns of 1864Winchester, Virginia
Battle of Opequan by Kurz & Allison (cropped)
Battle of Opequan by Kurz & Allison (cropped)

The Third Battle of Winchester, also known as the Battle of Opequon or Battle of Opequon Creek, was an American Civil War battle fought near Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864. Union Army Major General Philip Sheridan defeated Confederate Army Lieutenant General Jubal Early in one of the largest, bloodiest, and most important battles in the Shenandoah Valley. Among the 5,000 Union casualties were one general killed and three wounded. The casualty rate for the Confederates was high: about 4,000 of 15,500. Two Confederate generals were killed and four were wounded. Participants in the battle included two future presidents of the United States, two future governors of Virginia, a former vice president of the United States, and a colonel whose grandson, George S. Patton became a famous general in World War II. After learning that a large Confederate force loaned to Early left the area, Sheridan attacked Confederate positions along Opequon Creek near Winchester, Virginia. Sheridan used one cavalry division and two infantry corps to attack from the east, and two divisions of cavalry to attack from the north. A third infantry corps, led by Brigadier General George Crook, was held in reserve. After difficult fighting where Early made good use of the region's terrain on the east side of Winchester, Crook attacked Early's left flank with his infantry. This, in combination with the success of Union cavalry north of town, drove the Confederates back toward Winchester. A final attack by Union infantry and cavalry from the north and east caused the Confederates to retreat south through the streets of Winchester. Sustaining significant casualties and substantially outnumbered, Early retreated south on the Valley Pike to a more defendable position at Fisher's Hill. Sheridan considered Fisher's Hill to be a continuation of the September 19 battle, and followed Early up the pike where he defeated Early again. Both battles are part of Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley campaign that occurred in 1864 from August through October. After Sheridan's successes at Winchester and Fisher's Hill, Early's Army of the Valley suffered more defeats and was eliminated from the war in the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia, on March 2, 1865.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Third Battle of Winchester (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Third Battle of Winchester
Third Battle of Winchester Trail,

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N 39.1956 ° E -78.1325 °
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Third Battle of Winchester Trail

Third Battle of Winchester Trail
22601
Virginia, United States
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Battle of Opequan by Kurz & Allison (cropped)
Battle of Opequan by Kurz & Allison (cropped)
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Beth El Congregation (Winchester, Virginia)
Beth El Congregation (Winchester, Virginia)

Beth El Congregation is a Reform Judaism congregation located at 520 Fairmont Avenue in Winchester, Virginia, in the United States. The local Jewish community didn't develop until the late-19th century. They were mostly merchants and observed dietary laws, often having to travel to Baltimore for supplies. In 1908, the Jewish citizens decided to observe its first High Holy Days. Two local leaders learned shochet laws, enabling local Jews to keep kosher without having to travel out of town. By the 1930s, there were over 50 Jews living in Winchester and another two dozen in nearby towns. During that decade, Beth El was formally established and the congregation met on the third floor of the Odd Fellows Building. The local Jewish Women's Club and B'nai B'rith Lodge were also established during that decade. Services were led by congregants until after World War II. By that time, many in the congregation no longer observed Orthodox practices, and Reform Judaism began to take hold. Rabbis studying at Hebrew Union College would come each year to conduct services during High Holy Days. In 1954, a synagogue was built, allowing Beth El to have a permanent place to gather and worship. A dedication ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Representative Burr Harrison and Senator Harry F. Byrd. The local non-Jewish community played a major role in raising funds for the new synagogue, with over $12,000 in donations given to the congregation. This type of interfaith practice would continue throughout Beth El's history. After the synagogue was built, there was a rotating number of rabbis leading services, but one cantor, Lloyd Robb, would remain for 40 years. It wasn't until 1991 when Beth El's first rabbi, Dan Isaac, was hired. A major renovation was undertaken beginning in 2013 to accommodate elderly and disabled attendees, move the sanctuary entrance to a new portion of the building, and to update the sanctuary and other rooms. Following the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, security measures were installed at Beth El. The current rabbi is Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky, who also holds the rank of major in the National Guard. He arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, when services were held online and congregants would deliver groceries to the elderly. Other charitable activities Beth El participates in include hosting an annual Migrant's Lunch, volunteering at the local hospital on Christmas so that non-Jews may have the day off, and providing assistance to the Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter. Prominent past and current members include Winchester Mayor Charles Zuckerman and Ron Kaplan, former CEO of Trex Company, Inc.