The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-10-17
NUMBER 46.
From surry of the Eagles Nst.1
A Feat of Horsemanship by Gen. Ashby,
in Winchester

whether anything had been forgotten.
"Is everything removed, MajorW he
said to his chief quartermaster, Major
Hartman.
Everything, General"
"No commissary stores whatever are
left? 2- 800.
"And those broken cars at the depot ?"
t. 3They cannot be moved"
g Burn them, Major" t
| II will, at once, sir"
"And the telegraph wire? ?"
lis cut, sir"
7 " But is it removed :"
"No, General"
"Remoye it, Major"
Jackson then added: Take your time.
[ am in no hurry to leave Winchester"
| Soon the broken cars were burning, the
wire was rolled up and placed in wagons,
and the work was complete.
every good" said Jackson, when the
report was brought to him; and he sat
down under tree, and folding his hands
across his breast, fell quietly asleep.
He had been up all night, and never
was able to go without sleep. s
| The steady approach Of the firing now
indicated that the enemy was pressing
| Ashby closely near the northern suburbs
| Of the town. I rode in that direction,
and, reaching the rising ground ut the
head Of Loudoun street, where tho re-
mains of the old fort built by Major
George Washington, about 1856, may still
he seen, encountered the cavalry, falling
back in good order before the Federal
Advance The rear guard, under personal
command Of Ashby, who was mounted, on
snow white horse, was disputing obsti-
natcly every foot Of the ground; the main
column meanwhile defling through the
streets to form in line south of the town.
/ had just reached this point, when =
sudden rush Of the Federal cavalry broke
through the rear guard, and before I
knew it, almost, I was BY Ashby's side, in
the midst of a squadron Of blue-coats,
banging away with their pistols, and slash
ing with their sabres. The sweep Of Ash
by's weapon was magnificent, and he
seemed to launch himself from the saddle
at every blow. He and his splendid ami
NAL seemed one, and it is impossible to
describe his face. It was on fre-ths
eyes -blazed- HE looked happy.
had no time to bestow upon him more
than glance, however. A sabre cut
nearly unseated me, and the blue Gordon
was all around us when . determined
charge. from one Of Ashby's squadrons
drove back the enemy, and he chased them
two hundred yards north of the place.
81 don't ike to be crowded."
Before that furious onslaught, 80 sud
den and desperate, the enemy's cavalry
gave way, Ashby was in front Of his line,
cutting right and left with the sabre; and
when, a few minutes atterward, he came
back, his white horse dancing on all four
feet, astae nervous hand refined him in amid
shower Of balls, his face was calmer fog
the moment he seemed satisfied.
He continueato retire slowly, and reach
ed the suburbs Of the town. The enemy
did not at once move forward. The Con-
federate cavalry passed through, and twas
not until I reached the southern suburbs
that missed Ashby.
Turning, I saw him seated on his white
horse in the middle of Loudoun street, look
ing quietly at the Federal cavrlry and in
fantry pouring into the place. It is in
possible 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 contact with him, with lanquid Curl
osity.
All at once, some shots were fred at
him, but he took no notice of them. This
seemed to enrage the enemy, and detach-
ment charged him at full gallop, firing as
they came. 50
Askby waved his hat around his head,
uttered a cheer, and then, drawing his
revolver, galloped of, firing as he went.
He had nearly reached the suburbs,
when suddenly I saw two Federal cavalry
men issue from side street, and post
themselves in the middle of the street to
intercept him. I rode rapidly forward to
warn him Of his danger; but it was not
necessary. He turned, saw them, and
charged the two men, with glow Of un-
mistakable pleasure upon his features
One fell, shot through the heart; then, his
barrels being emptied, he seized the second
by the throat.
then witnessed one Of those spectaeles
which are supposed to be confined to ro-
nance Borne on alta furious speed upon
his powerful white horse, Ashby dragged
his adversary clear out Of the saddle,
never relaxed his clutch, and in mo-
ment was beyond pursuit, still dragging
his prisoner by the side of his horse.
A cheer rose from his men as Ashby
released the prisoner, and coolly looked
to the disposition Of his command. His
face was again calm; the sad expression
had come back; and when he said, swell,
Major, they are laughing at US yondef, l
suppose, by this tins" his voice was as
sweet and gentle as when speaking Of hB
dead brother. - - -
Subsequently,, after Gen. Ashby was
Killed, Gen. Jackson approached his dead
body, and while gazing upon it, wept pro
fusely, stern, warrior as he was Tsg.1
An old colored preacher named Edmund,
lis years old, has just married an inter-
esting young lady Of his own color and
persuasion, whose age is only 80 years.
A despatch from the capital Of Oregon
says that the Oregon Legislature virtually
expunged the former passage Of the Con-
stitutional Amendment by vote Of "a to