Private Samuel Pickens from the 5th Alabama in O'Neal's Brigade described Front Royal in his diary on June 12 as "an old looking town–situated in the valley." He pointed out that the town "seems to be surrounded by mountains when you see it a little distance."

Hospital Steward John S. Apperson from the Second Corps Medical Department described Chambersburg Pa in his diary on June 25 "a fine town." He noted that "the streets are too narrow, but the houses well built and mostly of brick." Apperson pointed out that the courthouse was "a very fine building–erected in 1802 at cost $44,543." He added that the town hall was "a large building too."