Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-02-16

"Ah !! then you were the other officer
we ran ?"
Yes, Colonel; but your pursuing
party went little too far"
How p
-" Ashby cut one down with his sabre,
and the other was shot"
The Colonel frowned.
And that's fact, Sir Percy" said
the sleek gentleman, scribbling away
" | saw the bodies as we passed"
:" Curse what you saw, sir v' was the
growing reply,
Il wouldn't take anything for that
incident, Colonel p exclaimed the news
paper correspondent--for such he evil
IDENTIFY was: rapid retreat of rebels,
pursued by victorious Unionists bridge
burning in their rear--Ashby on white
charger retiring at full gallop-unfor-
tunate fate of two of his pursuers, who,
surrounded by whole brigade of rebel
cavalry, fought their way nearly out,
but were finally killed by treacherous
blows from behind it will be splendid,
Colonel p
A careless laugh from the Colonel
greeted this magnificent picture, and at
the same moment, an officer galloped up
and entered.
Well p said the Colonel.
1.-The enemy are falling back again,
sir-the road is clear in front"
" Entirely 2"
" Nothing seen, sir, but detachment
of cavalry, commanded by General Ash
by"
How do you know that?'
g | saw him distinctly through my
glass, and know him perfectly"
The Colonel started up.
"Order squadron of picked men to
report to me here, in fifteen minutes, ;"
he said to statf-officcr on the porch Of
the farmhouse.
Then, turning to the newspaper cor
respondent, he said:
" Do you wish to secure material for
a fine paragraph 7"
| would 60 through fire and blood
to do p exclaimed the correspondent
in martial tone, and brandishing his
pen.
q You like amusementg'
81 am devoted to it, Colonel"
Z" Well, come with me, and you will
see some fun"
What is your design, Colonel p
To bag Ashby.'*
And the Colonel twirled his mustache
with joyful ardor. A quick thrill ran
through me, and, assuming careless
tone, turned to Sir Percy, and said:
| really should like to be present at
that little affair, Colonel"
Z" You p
~ can ride in the rear, under guard !,
and, in either event, there will be small
danger of my escaping"
" In either eventl' My dear sir, I
intend to capture your General Ashby
as surely as the sun shines. As you
doubt it, have your wish, and come and
see me do it,"
And l, Colonel" said the cores
pendent.
"Of course You are the historian
to band me down to posterity"
AS the Colonel, now in good humor,
turned away, ] saw a grimace upon the
countenance of the correspondent lie
was evidently philosopher, and estima-
ted the element of failure In all human
affairs.
In ten minutes we we're all 10 the sad
die the Colonel riding at the head of
the squadron at trot, on the straight
road to Cross Keys
The column had not advanced half a
mile when Ashby's cavalry pickets ap-
peared in front, accommodating from a
hill.
The vedettes held their ground until
the column was nearly upon them, when
they galloped off,
The same ceremony was repeated at
the next hill, and as Colonel Wyndham
continued to advance without fankers,
my heart began to beat and my hopes to
rise high.s
| knew how dangerous it was to trifie
with an adversary like Ashby, and the
incautious method Of advancing adopted
by the Federal Colonel subjected him, l
knew, to imminent peril of capture.
In thirty minutes, events took place
which fully supported my view of the
subject.
Reaching point where the road ira
versed some low grounds, between two
ranges of hills on either side, Colonel
saw in front Of him, at the
distance of about four hundred yards, a
small body of cavalry. which slowly re-
tired as he appeared
The Colonel greeted the spectacle with
pleasure.
g Now for it p | heard him call out
to his friend, the correspondent, who had
prudently withdrawn to The side of the
road. " Look out for some funl"
And, placing himself in front of his
the Colonel drew his sabre, and
gave the order to 'fcharge !"
The column rushed forward at the
word-but oh disastrous event l-oc-
,urrence ever to be deplored mo soon
sr had the horses Of the Federal cavalry
. His words See the newspapers of the
day, containing the correspondentele letter.