Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-31

Intimately, sir.
',Ah!" and the Colonel rose in his
chair a
. | have been with him throughout the
retreat-though am not attached to his
command" " l.rg
These words seemed to attract the
Coloners attention and excite his inter
est. r.a
Take seat Major, he said Il
did not hear your name.
"Surry."
IAN English name. You Virginians
come of the genuine English stock-and
ought to fight we'll
I'VE try to do the best we can, Colo
mel.
And YOU do it devilish well, Major
Ashby has given me world Of trouble. ="
He will be delighted to hear it, when
| come back.
Hal but I'm not going to part with
you SO soon, my dear sir. Let us talk a
little, first ....l,-......I
Willingly, Colonel.
u" have sworn to capture Ashby.
/" Don't you think it is a difficult I'M
dertaking?" [
swell, he is cool and watchful enough,
but will get the better of him yet |
thought | had him the other day at the
bridge"
"Over the Shenandoah
"Yes-did you see the chase after
him 2"
q was with hin"
"Ah then you were the officer we
ran2 g.l .4..l.
Yes, Colonel but your pursuing
party went little too far VI.
How -
"Ashby cut down one with his sabre,
and the other was shot.
The Colonel frowned
''And that's fact, Sir Percy" said
the sleek gentleman, scrlbbling away.
| sawithe bodies as we passed.
Curse what You saw, sir, was the
reply
cident, Colonel" exclaimed the newspa-
per correspondence such he evident y
was" rapid retreat of rebels, pursu,
by victorious Uniohists-bridge burning
in the rear-Ashby on white charger re-
tiring at full gallop--unfortunate fate of
two of his pursuers, who, surrounded by
a whole brigade of rebel cavalry, fought
their way nearly out, but were finally
killed by treacserous blows from behind.
1t will be splendid, Colonel.
A careless laugh from the Colonel
greeted this magnificent picture, and, at
the same moment, an officer galloped up
and entered.
"Well?" said the Colonel
"The enemy are falling back again,
sir-the road is clear in fronr
Entirely =? "
Nothing seen, sir, but detachment
of cavalry, commanded by Gen. Ashby.
How do you know that?
81 saw him distinctly through my
glass, and know him perfectly.
The Colonel started up.
"Order squadron Of picket men to
report to me here in fifteen minutes, he
said to staff officer on the porch Of the
farm house.
Then, turning to the newspaper cor
respondent, he said;
- "Do you wish TO secure material for
fine paragraph "
II would go through fire and blood to
do so | - exclaimed the correspondent in
martial tone, aud brandishing his pen.
You like amusement"
81 am devoted to it, Colonel
"Well, come with me, and you will
see some fun.
what is your design, Colonel
7 "To bag Ashby."
I And the Colonel twirled his moustache
with joyful ardor quick thrill ran
through me, and assuming careless
tone, / turned to Sir Percy, and said
II should really like to be present at
that little affair, Colonel.
"You." I'D |t ..|
II can ride in the rear, under guard,
and in either event, there will be small
danger Of my escaping.
'In either event My dear SIR, lin
tend to capture your General Ashby as
sure as the sun shines As you doubt It,
have your wish, and come and see me do
it. 3"
"And !, Colonel, said the correspon-
dent ......
"Of coursel You are the historian to
hand me down to posterlty.
As the Colonel, now in good humor,
turned away, | saw a grimaee upon the
countenaHce of the correspondent. lie
was evidently a philosopher, and estima-
ted the element Of failure in all human
affairs
In ten minutes we were all in 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 pickeis APP
peared in front, reconnoiterlng from the
hill
The videttes held their ground until the
column was nearly npon them, when they
gaiiopped 0H.
The same ceremony was repeated at
the next hill, and us Col Wyndham con-
timed to advance without fankers, my
heart began to beat aud my hopes TO rise
high.
i knew how dangerous it was TO triie
with an adversary ike Ashby. and the
incautious method of advancing adopted
by the Federal Colonel subjected him, !
knew, to imminent peril Of capture,
In thirty minutes events took place
which fully supported my view Of the
subject.
Reaching a point where the roads ira
versed some low grounds, between two
ranges Of hills on either side, Colonel
Wyndham 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
unmistaksble pleasure.
Now for it, | heard him call out to
his friend. the correspondent, who had