Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1868-03-12


numbered with :, 500 prisoners.
We continued the march without any
adventure Of importance until we reached
Iiarrisonburg. Passed through Harm
souburg ON the evening of the 9th June,
and camped about two mules from the
town on the road leading to Cross-keys.
The enemy were following US closely and
fight might be expected any hour.
; Tie next morning, 9TH June, We re-
siu.td the march, the enemy Following
very closely. The Baltimore artillery was
drawn up on hall on the right Of the
-sad, being about five miles from Harrl'
sonburg and the lst Maryland regiment
stationed - protect it. Soon after We heard
i rapid firing Of earbincs about half mile
to the front and in about half NJ hour 5S
prisoners passed, including Gel Wind
ham Ashby had attacked and driven
back the enemy's cavalry. lie had also
discovered that regiment # Penttsvlysn a
Bucktails was stationed in wood about
miles southeast of Harrisonburg, and
rode back to Genl Ewell, (wh0 was in
command of the rear division of the army
to solicit detachment of infantry to dis
lodge them Genl. Eweil promptly detach
ell the lst Maryland and 5Sth Virginia
Regiments for that purpose, and Genl.
Ewen: nci.t Geo II. Stewart, now our
brigade commander, rode back with Genl.
Ashov at the head of the infantry to the
designated point As we marched along
Genl Stewart jocosoly informed US that
now we were going to have some fun.
Ia consequence ofthe lst Maryland reg
iment having been stationed to protect
the Baltimore artillery; the 5sth Virginia
90. in the advance Co|fng up with the
enemy, the 5Sth Virginia moved to the
attack, while the MaryIanders were held
in reserve and disposed at about right an
giles with the right-fank of the Virgin
ans. The firing soon became pretty brisk
but no result followed In ten or fifteen
minutes, tie Marylanders were moved
down on the left, marching down slight
descent, and reaching the edge of the
woods. Here they became exposed to a
rapid fire from the enemy who were pos
ted on an emincnce about forty or fifty
yards Oft and, in consequence of their
/ being concealed from view by the trees
and undergrowth, some Of our men at first
supposed they were being fired on by the
/ Nirginians and Col. Bradley 1. johnson
rode forward and ordered them to cease
firing. But the firing increased in rapid
ity. Most If the men lald down to pro-
tcct themselves, but many were wounded.
After they had been in this position for
perhaps ten or fifteen minutes the YER
g;nans not having dislodged the enemy
--tl,yy --~-a .~l-.,-> ~, n the oha-e.N !,
! Col. johnson who exclaimed "Here S
your 1st Maryland regiment. Here's a
regiment that never breaks Forward, /,
tdouble-quick :" And they forward in Sc
ried rank and granite column The Buck
tails stood their ground bravely. receiving
them when within ten or fifteen yards
Hith murderouS FIRE, which killed and
w6{tnded about thirty of the lst Mary
land, two color bearers being shot down
in succession, but the colors each time
were caught up before reaching the ground
and were laya borne by Corporal Shanks.
But nothing could check H." onward move
of that sIEa phaanx They dashed on
and the BtFRtails broke and fled, pursued
by the victorious Narylanlers, who pour
ed into them repeated volleys, which Kill
led and wounded great number Of them.
L:uct. Col Kane commanding the Buck
tails was taken prisoner. Our men now
resumed the march in the direction OF
Cross Keys.
This was dear bought victory for the
Coufederates for besides many of lesser
note. they lost that prince Of chivalry and
able partizan, Turner Ashby, Tho fell
Just as the Marylanders were making the
charge. He fell with the battle cry on
his lips and the fire # victory in his eye.
Never was commander more beloved
by his men than Turner Ashby. They
would follow him through mountains d
danger 1t was only necessary for them
to know that Ashby leads thc'a on.
The writer Of this saw some Of the men
of -Ashby's command the day after he W.
! killed and .hfs r-cTt bitterly when speak
; ing of him saying thcy never could get
such another commander.
Ashby was adored by the people in the
Valley They loved hun for his soldier
IL qualities, but not for these only, for
he was not less distinguished for his man
lv qualities Of head aud heart than for hi'
bravery in the field He united all thl
traits of the true Virginia gentleman witt
the highest qualities Of the kniGhuy eava
, licr
But to return to the 1st Mary hand -
Some OF the most desperately wounded oI
this occasion had TO be iett IL the neigh
I borhood, and received the kinde>t car,
and attention from. TIE Citizens. One dan
i, ccrou>iy wounded WAS left Al the house Q
e lady. ana when on the next day tn
E Fedcrals in passing talked OF removing
him. the Young lady OF the house di>suad
i ed them from their purpose, the coHsum
: nation OF which would a!u.cSt uertani,
: have resulted in his leathl and Il is I
, her intercess,en on his occasion an,
. Kind care and attention afterwards, to
cether with that Of the rest of family
sided frequently BY nc neiyhbors, tha
hc owes the preservation OF his life
though 10 the family wish whom he Wa
{ left the srincipal share a, crat!tude IS due
!. Il must however here be said to tn
: >-ed, y the FederalS. that dur3nE til
: rarses. % their troops On this occasio
: thes placed a guard Al one or more {
F.. the houses where {he Confederate ~nund
; ed had been left, which act vaS rendsre
i necessary BY the desperate character /
{ sN,ne q their troops
4 The people i this section { Virgin.
we'll sustained the reputation # ,he Star
/ i. -eau.4e hospitality. .AD1 nltaIa