Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-29
From Surry of Eagles Nest.l
A Feat of Horsemanship in Winchester
by GEN. Ashbv.


nothing behind for his adversary. Eve
rything was removed ana the laughing
infantry greeted with jests and cheers an
enormous railway engine, which, drawn
by long string Of horses, moved on
with the rest.
Jackson remained last, and his criti-
cal eyes peered in every direction, to
discover whether anything had been for.
gotten. ..,5
Is everything removed, Major" he
said to his chief quartermaster, Major
Hartman.
Everything, General
No commissary stores whatever are
left"
"None, General"
And those broken cars at the depot2'
They cannot be removed"
Burn them, Major"
Il will, at once, sir.
And the telegraph wire2"
Is cut sir.
But is it removed ?"
No, Genera"
Remove 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.
Very 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.
The steady approach of the firing now
indicated 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 Loudon street, where the re-
mains 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
personal command of Ashby who was
mounted on a snow white horse, was
disputing obstinately every foot of
gronnd; the column meanwhile defiling
through the streets to form in line south
of the town.
had Just reached this point when a
sudden rush of the Federal cavalry broke
through the rear-guard, and before |
knew it, was almost by Ashby's side,
in the midst Of squadron of blue coats,
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 sad
die at every blow He and his splendid
animal seemed one, and it is impossible
to describe his face. 1t was on fire
the eyes blazed-he looked happy.
had no time to bestow upon him more
than a glance, however A sabre cut
nearly unseated me, and the blue Gordon
was all around us, when a determined
charge from one of Ashby's squadrons
drove back the enemy, and he chased
them two hundred yards north of the
place.
Il don't like to be crowded. "
And placing himself at the head of his
men he waved his sword, and cried in
clear, calm voice, strikingly in contrast
with his irate appearance;
Follow mt"
Those clear accents seemed to thrill
the men. They responded with a wild
cheer, and driving his white horse to fu-
rious speed, Ashby burst the Federal line
like tornado.
Before the furious onslaught, so sudden
and desperate, the enemy's cavalry gave
way. Ashby was in front of his line,
cutting right and left with the sabre
and when in few minutes afterward he
came back, his white horse dancing on
all four feet, as the nervous hand reined
him in amid a shower of balls, his face
was calmer; for the moment he seemed
satisfied.
He 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 Loudon 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 contact with him, with
languid curiosity.
All at once some shots were fired at
him, but he took no notice Of them. This
seemed 10 enrage the enemy, and de-
tachmeut charged him at full gallop, fir
ing as they came
Ashby waved his hat around his head,
cheer, and then, drawing his
revolver galloping Oh, firing as be went
He had nearly reached the suburbs,