Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1866-09-20
40 aF lFrom surry of Eagles Nestl 'i
A. Feat OF Horse manship in winches-
sut tedi ter, by Gen: Ashby. is t,rio.

bfa adj Ir .9sao. ------rfnt id Il; uSWal
!. In falling back, jackson left absolutely moth
ing behind for his adversary. Everything was
removed, and the laughing Infantry greeted with
jests and cheers an enormous railway engine,
which, drawn by a long string of1iorses, MOVED
onwith the rest.d nas, 4yni ,1E.uqs Ia.i
jackson remained last, and his critical eyes
peered in every direction, 10 discover whether
amy thing had been forgotten.
i'Is everything removed, Maori" he said to
his chief fquartermaster Major Harman.
GOD t'Everything, Generals ~"
s.No commissary stores whatever are left.
stNone, General" -.
t'And those broken cars at the depoti" '
'.They cannot be moved q lIJl sH a-u
'Burn them, Major" --
Il 81 will, at once, sir" -"'' ODD
mAnd the telegraph wire7" j' a9. a
'Is cut, sir" -.. ..
"But Is it rernoved2'
/. t'No, General" .,r - .. .
e, ',"Remove it, Major"
jackson then added: "Take your time. Tam
in no hurry to leave Winchester" a. a..- --...
Soon the broken cars were burning, the wire
was rolled up and placed in wagons, and the
work was complete. % ...,..., .,E....t ......
every good" said jackson, when the report
was brought to him; and he sat down under a
tree, and folding his hands across his breast, fell
quietly asleep.
He had been up ali night, and never was able
to go without sleep. ' -,.,..- ........ -..
The steady approach of the firing now indica-
ted that the enemy was pressing Ashby closely
near the northern suburbs OF the town. l rode
in that direction, and, reaching the rising ground
at the head of Loudoun street, where the remains
of the old fort built by Major George Washing
ton, about 756, may still be seen, encountered
the cavalry, falling back in good order before
sonal command of Ashby, who was mounted on
snow white horse, was disputing obstinatey
every foot of the ground: the main column mean-
while defling through the streets to form in line
south of the town.
! had just reached this point, when sudden
rush The Federal cavalry broke through the
rear guard, and before l knew it, almost, | was
by Ashby's side, in the midst of a squadron of
blue-coats, banging away with their pistols, and
slashing with their sabres. The sweep Of Ash
by's weapon was magnificent, and he seemed to
launch himself from the saddle at every Llow.-
He and his splendid animal seemed one, and it is
impossible to describe his face. 1t was on fire.
the eyes blaztd-he looked happy.
had no time TO bestow upon him more than
glance, however. A sabre cut nearly unseated
me, and the blue Gordon wasall around us, when
determined charge from one Of Ashby's sqad-
rons drove back the enemy, and he ch,sed them
two hundred yards north of the place.
81 don't like 10 be crowded.
And placing himself at the head Of his men, he
waved ms sword, ana cr1ed IN u clear calm voice
strikingly in contrast with his irate appearance:
"Follow me-"
Those clear accents seemed to thrill the men,
They responded with wild cheer, and, driving
his white horse to furious speed, Ashby burst the
Federal line like a tornado. !l''' '+ '|H
Before that furious onslaught, so sudden and
desperate, tine eremy' cavalry gave way. Ash
by was in front of his line cutting right and left
with the sabre and when afcw minutes after
ward, he came back, his white horse dancing OH
all four feet, as the nervous hand refined him in
amid shower of balls, his face was calmer; for
the moment he seemed satisfied.
lie continued TO retire slowly, and reached the
suburbs of the town. The enemy did not at once
move forward. The Confederate cavalry passed
through, and it was not until reached the south
ern suburbs that missed Ashby.
Turning, saw him seated on his white horse
in the middle of Loudoun street, looking quietly
at the Federal cavalry and infantry pouring into
the place. 1t is impossible to conceive anything
more calmly Indifferent than his attitude. He
seemed TO have taken his place there to witness
some peaceful pageant, and to regard the advance
of the Federal masses, now nearly in contacl
with him, with languid curiosity.
All at once some shots were fired at him, but
he took no notice of them. This seemed to en-
rage the enemy, and detachment charged him
at full gallop' firing as they crime.
Ashby, waved his hat around his head, uttered
Checis hhu tlieus uIahluB Ills IcNOINcr, RallOp-
off, firing as he went.
lie had nearly reached the suburbs, when sud :
denly saw two Federal csvalrymen issue frsm
a side street. and post themselves in the middle
Of the street to intercept him. | rode rapidly
inward TO warn him OF his danger: but it was
not necessary. He turned, saw them, and charg.
cd tile two men, with glow of unmistakable
pleasure udon his features. One fell, shot
through the heart then his barrels being all empt-
led, he seized the second by the throat.
! then witnessed one of those spectacles which
are supposed tn lie confined TO romance. Borne or
at II furious sp,ed upon his powerful white horse,
Ashby dragged his adversary clear out ofthc sad
die, never relaxed his clutch, and in moment
was beyond pursuit, Rtill dragging his prisoner
by the side of his horse ,T.
A cheer rose from his men as Ashby released
the prisoner, and coolly looked to the dispoSit
ton of his command. His face was again calm:
the sad expression had come back, and when he
said. ."Well, Maj ,r they are laughing at US
yonder, suppose by this time" his voice was as
sweet and gentle as when speaking of his dead
brother.