Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-28

intent upon his prey; soon his advance fore
was in sight of Strausburg, and came on rapid
in line Of battle. ..s .. ....
"Ewell, attack! !' was Jackson's order, as Q
the secend Manassas his brief words were
"Ewell, advanced" ,-.. .7........
Ewell attacked, as that hardy soldier alway
did, with vigor. The head of Fremonts s colum
was driven back upon the main body. Eve
pressed forward the long rattle ofh musketr
echoed from the mountain side, and that ech
reached the ears and stirred the pulses Of litl
column of footsore and weary men, who wer
fastening on to join their commander.
4 1t was the Stonewall Brigade, now only al
hour or two's march away. AT the sound 0
Ewel's guns the worn-out men pressed on NOR
rapidly. All knew their fate depended upon tn
speed of that march. An hour lost meant captur
or destruction.
AT Aidd!etown, Windcr, then commanding
the Brigade, saw motioniess on the turnpike th'
long lines of Ashby's cavalry. That stout crva
lier never yet deserted comrade; at the sight o
Winder the brown eyes flashed. q.
II never felt so much relieved in my life I" ex
claimed Ashby, grasping his friends hand. 90
was certain you would be cut off, and had madt
up my mind tojoin you, and advise you to forct
your way through Ashby's Gap to Gordons
ville!" II have this incident from my friend
Capt. Herry Howard, formerly of Windcr's
staff.) ..s ~, ..-
Ewell was still fighting obstinately when bNyo-
nets were seen to glitter in the direction of Win
steadily the weary column came-the old Brigade
was safe at home with its commander.
AS it entered the town, Jackson ordered Ewcll
to fall back. Then the army moved; Ashby's
cavalry RETIRED the last from Srausburg as
they disappeared, the enemy rushed in to seize
their prey. .,... s... . .
That prey had escaped. The lion was cut OF
the mcshes.' .'~ . ..
The army moved on stealily, Ashby holding
the rear, and drawing blood with his teeth when
they pressed on him too closely. Thus pushing
before it the long train of captured stores, and
the winding blue line Of prisoners, the column
assembled the Valley New Market was reached
and passed. the Shenandoah crossed, Harrison
burg attained. If Jackson could now strike
across TO Port Republics little village in the
forks of the Shenandoah--he could send of his
captures through Browns Gap to Richmopd d,
place his back against the mountain, and strike
mortal blow either at Fremont in his front, or
at Shields, advancing up the Lurly Valley, on
his flank 'r r.'
Without delay, the formidable "game' con,
unued to press forward to the harbor of refuge
On the morning of the 9th of June, Jackson's
column was moving steadily across to Port Re
public-Fremoat pressing closely on the rear,
and Shields, as the signal flags on the mountain
announced, hastening W to cut OF tie army at
Browns Gap. .
Jackson did not hurry. Those who saw him
will tell you that he never was more calm.
Ashby brought up the rear, fighting over every
foot of the ground, with splendid ga'lantry.
On this day he ambushed and captured Colo
uel Percy Wyndham three bours afterwards the
chevalier, ''without reproach .or fcar," was
dead. %, .F. . "'.'- -
Just at sunset, as the woodlands slept in The
dremy light ofone oftke most beautiful afternoons
of June, he had rushed forward at the head of
small force TO assail the Pennsylvania 'Buck-
tails, ~ under Col. Kane; the ranks had closed
in, in bitter struggle; Ashby's horse was shot;
he sprung to his feet | but as he was waving his
sword-as ''Virginians, charge !" came from his
lips-a bullet pierced his breast He expired almost
Immediately but not before the enemy was driy-
en-, and his body was brought out before cav
lie m = M
Iro Vn CnI uyb, hoI
was, told of Ito, .,4.. .t...,........ -. "'.
o. 81 am Sorry" he said; che was noble fel-
low |" r.l
1t was an enemy who said that ; but Ashby
not did need the praise of friend or foe His brief
career was like dream of chivalry; but to-day
his name and fame are cut upon tablet warmer
and more durable than monumental alabaster."
That tablet is the great heart of Virginia
'n [To BE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT .,.,