Maryland free press., 1866-05-03


"An English name, You Virginians
come of the genuine English stock-and
ought t, fight WELL"
''Ne try to do the best we can, Col
oncl.
'..And you do it devilish well, Major
Ashby has given me world Of trouble. "
lie will be delighted to hear it. when !
get back"
"lIa. but I am not going to part with
you so soon. my dear sir, Let US talk
little first"
Willingly. Colonel"
81 have sworn to capture Ashby."
Don't you think it is difficult un'
dertaking r
"WelI, he is cool-aud watchful enough,
but will get the better OF him yet. |
thought had AiM the other day ut the
bridge"
"Uver the Shenandoah p
"Yos-=diI yoa witness the chase after
him 2"
II was with him" ~.
"Ah then you were the other officer
we ran?'
Yes, Colonel; but your pursuing party
went y Iittlc too far"
"Ilow 2
"Ashby cut one down with his sabre,
and the other was shot"
The Colonel frowneI.
"And that's fact, Sir Percy" said the
sleek gentleman, scribbling away. Il
saw the bodies US We passed"
yhIt S:tw
growing reply.
Il wouldn't take anything for that i'll
cident, Colonel !" exclaimed the newspa-
per correspondent-fo such lie evidently
was, rapid retreat OF rehcls. pursued by
victorious misunderstanding burning i'll
in their rear-Ashby ON white charger,
retiring" at full gallop-untortunats fate
Of two of his pursucrs, who, surrounded
by a Whole brigade of rebel cavalry,
fought their way noar y out, but were
finally killed by treacherous blows from
behind, it will be splendid, Coloncl?'
4 careless laugh from the Colonel
greeted this magnificent picture, and. at
the same moment, an officer galloped up
and entered.
"The enemy are falling back AGAIN, sir
the road is clear in front"
Entirely -
Nothing seen, sir, but a detachment
of cavalry, commanded by Gen. Ashby,"
"llow do you know that!''
Il saw him distinctly through my glass,
and know him perfectly"
Thn t,luhnI uf.rt,.l ,,
"Ordcr squadron of picked men to re-
port to me here. in fifteen minutes" he
said to statf-oifccr on the porch of the
farm house.
Then, turning to the newspaper cores
pondcnt, he said:
''Do you wish to secure material for a
lipe paragraphT
Il would 50 through fire and blood to
do 50 I" exclaimed the correspondent in a
martial tone braudishing his pen.
"I0u like amusement z
Il am devoted to it, Colonel"
"Well, come with me, and you will see
sonc fun"
"What is your design, Colonel 2"
ITO bag Ashby."
And the Colonel twirled his mustache
with joyful ardor, \ quick thrill ran
through me, aud assuming careles tone,
turned t. Sir Percy. and said:
81 really would like to be present at
that little affair, Colonel"
You 20.
81 can ride in the rear, under guard,
AMI in either ovent, there will be small
danger of my escaping"
SIN either event my dear sir, intend
to capture yous general Ashby as surely
as the sun shines. AS you doubt it. haze
your wish, and come and see me do it
''+Apd [, Colonel" said the earrespon-
dent
"Of course. You are the historian to
hand me down to posterity."
AS tho Colouel, now in good humor.
turned away, saw grin.aoe WpuA tho
countenancc of tile correspondent. lie
was evidently u philosopher, and estima-
ted The element Of failure in all human
affairs.
IN ten minutes we were all in the sad
dle-thc Colonel riding at the head of the
squadron at u trot ON the straight road to
'roSs NcAS.
The COLUMN had not advanced half a
milc when Ashby's cavalry pickets ap-
nearcd in front, reconnoitcring from hill.
The viletts held their ground until the
column WAS nearly upon them, when they
gallopped off, ....,..
The same ceremony Was repeated at the
next hill, aud as Colonel Wyndham con-
tinucd to- advance without fankers. my
heart began ta beat and my hopes to rise
high. .H. .... ..'.
/ knew how dangerous it wa, to trife
with an adversary like Asbby. and the in
cautious method Of advancing adopted by
the Federal Colonel subjected him, | knew
to immipept peril of capture,
In thirty minutes. events took place
which fully supported my view of the sub
jcct, .. ....., tr. .....
Reaching poipt wkeEe the road tra-
vsgsed $Qlne low grounds. between two
rangca af hills on either side. Colonel
Wyndhaw saw IN trout of ki@. at the dis.
l III