New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-21

risonburg and Cross Keys, some miles from Point
| Republic at which point the infantry was concen-
trating, when dust rising upon the flank, at
tracted my attention and told Ashby that would
| go and ascertain what it meant.
Take care Surry," was his reply; the enemy
is close behind US, and you will be captured"
| reckon not"
"Wel, keep good look out. The Federal ad-
vance guard is commanded by Sir Percy Wynd.
ham, an English officer, who has sworn, am in
formed, that he will bag me. Ishoud be sorry
to have him catch one of my friends"
~ defy him!"
And, with that spirit of pride which SO often pre-.
cedes fall, put spur to my horse, and went at
full speed in the direction Of the dust following
narrow forestroad.
Unfortunately Ashby's fears were speedily re-
allied. had not gone quarter of mile, when
detachment of cavalry hankers debouched
quietly into the road behind me- andlevelling their
| carbines ordered me to surrender.
1t was the coolest and most business-like affair /
mad ever witnessed, reader. No ill-bred hurry-no
eXcltement-no " violent language, - or unpleasant
collision. Within twenty steps of me were twenty
carDlnes' cooked and aimed at my breast the off
| Ger at the head of the men commanded "Surren
der, or you are dead''-and, with bitterness in my
heart, surrendered.
" You are an officer, ?" he said, riding up.
q" / ann
"What command ~
:" The Confederate States army"
" Rather considerable force in our front, lieu
tenant, said the officer who seemed to be some
guard to Col. Wyndham."
The lieutenant touched his hat--I remember he
was Misunderstanding fellowr-and three men
separated themselves from the column and took
charge of me.
Kin him, if he tries to escape" said the hui
morist officer
The men cooked their carbines, and rested them
across their pommels; and with this pleasing es-
cort, was conducted, by winding road, which |
had remembered passing on the previous evening.
Here superbly equipped horses were seen
tethered to the boughs and fences-couriers went
and came-and my escort conducted me into the
presence of Sir Percy Wyndham, commanding
the cavalry adVance.guard of the Federal forces.
found myself in the plain sittingroom of
small farm house. On a table were spread maps
andpapers; and bottle of wine raised its slender
neck, aanked by glasses.
LolIing in a split bottumed rockingham was a
tall, fne.looking parsonage, clad in superb uni
form, and wearing saber with magnifcently
chased hilt, which ratified against fine French
cavalry boots, decorated with enormous spurs.
The countenance of this officer was rudy hand
some, and full of pride. His hair was light, long
and worn in curls. 1t was military Adonis I saw
before me in the person Of Sir Percy.
When / entered, he was talking with sleek
parsonage, clad in citizens dress, who had on his
knees portfolio, in which lay some loose sheets
OF paper covered with writing. Upon my ap-
pearance, this gentleman seized pen, dipped itin
the ink, and held it poised above his paper with
the air OF man who is going to report public
speech.
4" A prisoner, colonel said my escort.
The colonel wheeled round in his chair and
looked keenly at me.
When were you oaptured"
Half an hour ago.
mandr
have already replied to that question"
" To whom ~
The officer who captured me.p
Well, sir, you can, no doubt, favor me with
repetition of that reply
replied that / belonged to the Confederate
States army.
Close, colonel! !" here interposed the sleek
gentleman in black, who had hastily scratched
away at his paper as this dialogue took place.
g A perfect trap ~ exclaimed the colonel lol-
ling carelessy in his chair; g but | have never
known single rebel officer who had not this ex-
aggerated idea of secrecy in everything. Now, l
make e no mystery Of my movements-none.
9 You are going to bag Ashby,' colonel, and
that's fact" came, with laugh, from the sleepy
parsonage
% swear will. At least you can tell me sir,
ne added, turning to me, whether you know
General Asby.n
Intimately sir"
Ahr' and the colonel rose in his chair.
nave been with him throughout the retreat
though am not attached to his command"
These words seemed to attract the colonel's at
tention and excite his interest
9 Take seat, major" he said. Z" l did not hear
your name"
"SuTry.n
genuine English stock-and ought to fight well.n
We try to do the best we can, colonel"
" And y va do it deyilish well, major. Ashby has
given me world of trouble.n
" He will be delighted to hear it, when get
back"
Ha but am not going tc part with you so
soon, my dear sir. Let US talk little first"
" Willingly, colonel"
" l have sworn to capture Ashby.n
3" Don't you think it is a difficult undertaking ?"
" Well, 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?n
e Yes-dld you see the chase after him?"
Is | was with him.
All then you were the other officer we ran ~
,..,, Yes, colonel; but your pursuing party went
little too far.n
" HOw?D
other was shot,
The colonel fraWned.
" And that's fact, Sir Percy" saii the sleek
gentleman, scribbling away. =" stw the bodies
as we passed"
Curse what you saw, sir" was the growing
reply. .
III wouldn't take anything for that incident. col.
onel, " exclaimed the newspaper correspondent
for such he evidently vas rapid retreat of
rebels, pursued by victorious Unionists-bridge
burning in the rear-Ashby on white charger re-
firing at full galIop-u unfortunate 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 fsom be-
hind. 1t will be splendid, colonel"
A careless laugh from the colonel greeted this
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 front"
Entirely?n
Nothing seen, sir, but detachment of cavalry,
by Gen. Ashby.'
" How do you know that?n
~ 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 staff off
GER on the porch of the farm house.
Then, turning to the newspaper correspondent,
he said:
"Do you wish to secure material for a fine par
agraph?n
II would go through fire and blood to do 50 4"
exclaimed the correspondent in martial tone, and
brandishng his pen.
" You like amusement?''
d" am devoted to it, colonel.'
WELL come with me and you will see some
funp
" What is your design, colonel?"
"To bag Ashby."*
And the colonel twirled his mustache with joyful
ardor. quick thrill ran through me, and assum-
ing, careless tone, turned to Sir Percy, and
affair, colonel"
You ~