The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-21
TEIE NEW ERA, F'EBRU AIRY a. 1867.
which could detach him from the great

mass Of inediocrities but under that
laughing face, that simple, unassuming
manner, was a soul of fire-the unbend-
ing spirit of the hero, and no less the
genius Of the born master of the art of
war. When the revolution broke out
Ashby got in the saddle, and spent most
of his time therein until he fell. It was
at this time-on the threshold of the
war-that saw him first. | have de
scribed his personals bearing was full
Of charming courtesy. The low, sweet
voice made you his friend before you
knew it, and so modest and unassuming
was his demeanor that a child would
have instinctively sought his side, and
cunfded in him. The wonder of wonders
to me, a few months afterwards was,
that this unknown youth, with the
simple smile, and the retiring, almost
shy sdemeanor, had become the right
hand of Jackson, the terror of the enemy,
and had fallen near the bloody ground
OF Port REPUBLIC, mourned by nation
the whole nation of Virginia.
Virginia was his first and last love-
When he went to Harper's Ferry in
April, 1861, with his brother Richards
cavalry company, some one said: "Well,
Ashby, what are we going to fight
under:--the Palmetto, OR whato"-
Ashby took off his hat, and exhibited a
small square OF silk upon which was
painted the Virginia Shield-the Virgin
trampling on the tyrant. "That is the
flag that intend to fight UNDER" was
his reply; and he accorded it his para
mount fealty to the last. Soon after this
incident active service commenced on
the upper Potomac; and an event occur
hi ~, Ac,t,h y,h nj
acter. His brother Richard, While on a
scout near Romney, with small de-
tachment, was attacked by strong
party OF the enemy, his command dis
persed, and as he attempted to leap a
g cattle-stop" in the railroad, his horse
fell with him. The enemy rushed upon
him, struck him cruelty with their
sabers, and killed him before he could
rise. Asby came up at the moment, and
with eight men charged them, killing
many of them with his own hands. But
his brother was dead-the man he had
loved more than his own life; and there
after he seemed like another man,
Richard Ashby was buried on the banks
of the Potomac-his brother nearly
| tainted at the grave; then he went back
to his work. "Ashby is now devoted
man." said one who knew him; and
his career seemed to justify the words.
He took command OF his company, vas
soon promoted to the rank Of IA field of
lieer, and from that moment he was OF
the track Of the enemy day and night.
Did private vengeance actuate the man,
once so kind and sweet tempered? [
know not; but something from this
time forward seemed to spur him ON to
unflagging eXertion and ceaseless &C
tivity. Day and night he was in the
saddle. Mounted on his fleet white
horse he would often ride in twenty
four hours along seventy miles of front,
inspecting his pickets, instructing his
detachments, and watching the enemy's
movements at every point. Here to-
day, tomorrow he would be seen nearly
hundred miles distant. Tho live figure
ION the white horse "came and went
like dream," said one who knew him
at that time. And when he appeared
it was almost always the signal for an
attack, raid, or "scout," in which
blood would flow.
In the spring of 1862, when Jackson
fell back from Winchester, Ashby, then
promoted to the rank of Colonel, COM
manded all his cavalry. He was already
famous for his wonderful activity, his
heroic courage, and that utter contempt
for danger which was born in his blood.
On the Potomac, near Shepherdstown,
he had ridden to the top of a crest, swept
by the hot fire Of the enemy's sharp
shooters near at hand; and pacing
slowly up and down on his milk-white
horse, looked calmly over his shoulder
at his foes, who directed at him storm
of bullets. He was now to give proof
more striking still of his fearless nerve.
Jackson slowly retired from Winchester,
the cavalry under Ashby bringing up
the rear, with the enemy closely press
ing them. The long column deiled
through the town, and Ashby remained
the last, sitting On his horse in the
middle of the main street as the Federal
forces poured in. The solitary horse
man, gazing at them with SO much nom
chalance was plainly seen by the fede-
raj officer, and two mounted men We're
detached to make circuit OF the back
streets, and cut off his retreat. Ashby
either did not see this manGuvre, or
paid no attention to it. He waited until
the federal column was nearly upon
him and had opened hot fire. he
turned his horse, waved his hat, and
uttering cheer of defiance, galloped
off. All at once as he gallopeq down
the street he saw before him the two
cavalrymen sent to cut off and capture
him. To man like Ashby. inWardly