Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-04
THE sKIRmIsH NEAR ROmNEY.
BrlllIant B1plolt Of virginia cavalry


The Richmond Enquirer of the LIST inst gives the
following account of the skirish near Romney, Va,
of which the telegraph has already advised US:
By passenger from the neighborhood on yester-
day, we were told the following particulars of q
sharp and bloody encounter which took place on
Thursday last between some Of our cavalry and a
body of the enemy near WIllamsport.
Captain Richard Ashby, in command of a scout
ing squad of five men, was dashed upon by party
of fifty or more Of the enemy's cavalry, who had
crossed the Potomac and were concealed in wood
between WilliamspoPt and Martinsburg. Captain
Ashby and his men herocally cut their way through
the enemy, unfortunately. however, losing two of
their number killed on the spot, and Captain Ashby
himself severely, and it is feared mcrtally, woun-
ded.
Lieut. Col Turner Ashby, (the captain of the
company being in the vicinity with ten men, and
learning of the occurrence above stated immediate
ly charged after the enemy, determined to engage
them in defiance of the heavy odds. He fortunate
ly overlook them while dismountlng at spring.
and put them to instant rout committing great hav
oc among them. No less than seventeen fell dead
under the mpctuous onset and the rest saved their
lives only by precipitate flight. A large number of
horses were a part of the trophies won by the he
roic party in the most brilliant onset.
We have every reason to confde in the substan-
tial correctness of the above statement The skir-
mish which it describes, will make the name of
Ashbys, and their hero comrades, household words
throughout Ile OOnIeQeracy
The Richmond Dispatch of the lst inst, gives the
following particulars of the affair:
A Quartermaster direct from the scene of action
informed an officer of Gen. Wise's Brigade that on
Friday, as Capt Ashby and his brother were pro-
ceeding along 8 road with IA men of their troop,
thirty miles beyond Romney, they were ae-
costed by man who represented himself to be a
deserter, and professed willingness to conduct the
squad to a position where they could take some
ho Fan Tyac fba mar
eeeding on under the guidance of the deserter, till
they arrived at point in the read where the squad
was divided, each half taking different courses
Very shortly thereafter the deserter led them into
place where they were surrounded by fifty of the
enemy, who called upon them to surrender. This
demand was replied to by discharge of their arms,
which was answered by the Hessans. In short
time the remainder of the squad rejoined their
comrades and united their eXertons in repelng the
enemy. In this they were successful, is of the
Hessians having been killed. Two of Ashby's men
were killed outright, and a number wounded
Captain a. received four severe wounds, and his
horse fell dead as he leaving the field, which
the enemy ran from and escaped across a small
river to evade pursuit.
ADDITIoNAL.-One of the most brilliant affairs du-
ing this war occurred last Wednesday near Rom
ney, between small detachment of Col Turner
Ashbys Cavalry, and party Of 81 of Lincoln's
Cavalry. Capt. Dick Ashby first encountered the
enemy with II men, and was himself it was feared,
fatally wounded, but we have since learned from
passenger direct from Winchester it is now hoped
will recover-as were also others OF his party, said
to be Marylanders.
Turner Ashby being not far off, heard the firing,
and with eight man charged the enemy, drove them
in the utmost confusion across the river killing 20
men and taking q number of their horses, accou-
trements, &c. Col Ashby slew five with his own
hand This is said at Winchester to have been the
most splendid affair during the campaign.
This was brought by a gentleman who arrived
yesterday direct from Harper Ferry.