Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-09-28
From Surry of Eagles Nest.
A Feat of HorsemaHship i'm Winchester, III
ssse Gen. kShhy

In falling back, Jackson left absolutely
nothing behind for his adversary. Every
thing was removed. and the laughing infan
try greeted with jests and cheers an enor-
nous railway engine, which, drawn by long
string of horses, moved on with the rest.
Jackson remained last and his critical
eyes pcered in every direction, to discover
whether anything had been forgotten.
els everything removed, Major p he said
to his chief quartermaster, Major Hartman.
" Everything, General"
8 No commissary stores whatever are Left. "
g None, General"
g And those broken cars at the depot? p
''They cannot be moved"
Burn them, Major
g will, at once, sir.
"And the telegraph wire y
els cut, sir"
But is it removed? %
- No, General"
''Remove it, Major :"
Jackson then added: Take your time
I am in 20 hurry to leave Winchester
Soon the broken cars were burning, the
wire was rolled up and placed in wagons,
and the work was complete.
g Very good, )" said jackson, when the re-
port Tas brought to him and he sat down
upder 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.
The steady approach Of the firing now in
Dictated that the enemy was pressing Ashby
closely near the northern suburbs Of the
town rode in that direction, and, reach
ing the rising ground at the head Of Lou
doun street, where the remains of the old
fort built by Major George Washington, about
1856, may still be seen, encountered the
cavalry, falling back in good order before the
Federal advance. The rear guard, under per-
sonal command Of Ashby who was mounted
on snow white horse, was disputing obsti-
nately every foot of ground the main col
umn meanwhile defling through the streets
to form in line south of the town.
had just reached this point when sud
den rush Of the Federal cavalry broke through
the rear-g guard, and before [ knew it, almost
[ was by Ashby's side. in the midst of q
squadron Of blue-eoats, banging away with
their pistols, and slashing with sabres. The
sweep Of Ashby's weapon was magnificent
and he seemed to launch himself from the
saddle at every blow. He and his splendid
animal seemed one, and it is Impossible te
describe his face. It was on fre-the eyes
blazed-he looked happy.
had no time to bestow upon him more
than a glance, however A sabre cut near
ly unseated me, and the blue Gordon was al
around us, when determined charge from
one Of Ashby's squadrons drove back the en-
emy, and he chased them two hundred yards
north of the place
q Idon't like to be crowded
And placing himself at the head Of his mer
he waved his sword, and cried in clear cain
voice strikingly in contrast with his irate ap
pearance:
Follow me"
Those clear accents seemed to thrill thu
men. They responded with a wild cheer
and, driving his white horse to furious speed
AM}9 burst the Federal line like tornado
Before the furious onslaught, so suddel
and desperate, the enemy's cavalry gave way
Ashby was in front Of his line, cutting RICH
and left with the sabre; and when a few
minutes afterward, he came back, his whit
horse dancing on ali four feet as the nervou
hand reined him in amid shower Of balls
his face was calmer; for the moment he seemed
satisfied.
He continued to retire slowly, and reache'
the suburbs of the town. The enemy di,
not at once move forward. The Confederat
cavalry passed through, and it was not unit
[ reached the southern suburbs that [ mxse
Ashby
I Turning, [ saw him seated on his whit
horse in the middle Of Loudoun street, look
ng quietly at the Federal cavalry and infan