Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-23

he never avoided danger himself, yet he dis
liked to expose needlessly his devoted men.
His quickness in pointing out advantageous
positions was most remarkable in an officer so
young. He obeyed orders from his superior
with the utmost exactness, no matter how
much he was exposed in their execution.
In February, 1864, Captain Chew was pro-
NOTED, and he succeeded to the command OF
the battery At the cavalry fight at Treyil-
ian's Station, while directing the firing of his
guns, General Butler, of Haupton'a COM
mand rode up and said
"Captain, 1 want gun put there" point
| ing to a certain position.
General" replied Jenny, ''a gun could
not stay there five minutes; every man and
horse would be killed before it could get into
position"
"Nevertheless, I want gun put there,
Captain !" said the General.
every we'll, sir; shall do it," replied
Thomson in firm tone.
He conducted the gun to the spot in person,
and sat on his horse by it while it opened fire.
1 less than five minutes, only one man OF the
nine working the gun remained unhurt, and
three of them, his most intimate friends, were
instantly killed His natural taste for the
horse aud sabre gave him preference for the
cavalry, but the independence of the Horse
n
ted in cavalry, induced him to remain in the
former service, to which he was attached
during the whole war, earning for himself
especial distinction. He always accompanied
the cavalry on their scouts and raids, and was
frequently put in command of squadrons, and
led them in charges. He was ever more mind
full of the safety of others than of himself
and whenever his friend would demonstrate
with him for exposing himself SO recklessly,
he exclaimed.
ooh, the bullet that is to kill me has not
been moulded yeti
His utter indifference to personal danger,
and his anxiety for others, was strikingly
shown in an engagement on the Back road,
near Fishers Hill, in October, 1864.
General Rosscr, with whom he was great
favorits, put Major Breathed and himself in
command of the Clarke cavalry and Orange
Rangers. to act as advance guard. Near
Thom's Brook, they overlook the rear guard
of the enemy, composed of picked battalion.
Drawing their sabres, the gallant Breathed
and himself called upon their men to 'follow"
The Clarke cavalry was composed of men
accustomed to do this, and their charge was
irresistible. The enemy were in road with
high fences on both Sides which they had no
time to pull down. Dashing into them with
sabres, they pushed back the guard on
the main body and as they could not ma
nocuvre their men, the whole brigade, and
finally the division, was driven in utter rOut
for three miles, until they came to an open
space, where a fresh brigade of the enemy
was drawn up to receive them. Brcathed
now ordered halt, to reorganzc his men,
who had become much scatteaed, and sent to
Rosser for reinforcements. Captain Brown,
of the Fifth, was sent with his squadron to
his support, and Rosser, turning to me. said :
"Ride forward. and give my compliments
to Major Breathed and Captain Thomson, and
tell them to push the enemy, but not sacrifice
their men,"
[ shall never forget the appearance of these
two officers as I delivered the order. Their
sabres were dripping with blood, l counted
more than forth Of the enemy strewn along
the road killed or wounded with the sabre
alone. They had dismounted some of their
men, who were skirmiShing with the enemy,
strongly posted behind fence. The firing
was terrific and the bullets from their sixteen
shooters raincd like hail around Thomson as
he rode backwards and forwards along the
line cheering the men, and occasionally stop
ping to fire his revolver. His magnificent
sorrel, "Ashby," covered with foam, prancing
and rearing, rendered him a conspicuous
mark, and the next moment the noble horse
FELL mortally wounded. A private quickly
offered him his, which he mounted. Being
unaccustomed to such incessant fire, the ami
nal plunged violently, and reared almost
perpendicular as Jenny discharged his re-
yolver. While thus poised in the air, bullet,
evidently aimed at Thomson's heart, struck
the horse full in the breast killing him
instantly.
At this moment Breathed ordered charge
The enemy were driven back, but not without
considerable loss on our side. Captain Nor
ton, Of the Rangers, was shot through the |
heart, and Captain Brown through the breast. |
Procuring another horse, Thomson again |
dashed into the enemy, followed by Color
Sergeant Ware, of his battery, and several of
his men. Whilst endeavoring to reload his
revolver his brother Pembroke, a Cadet, not
old enough to be in service, who was paying
him visit. rode up. Seeing him, Jenny
turned to Ware, and said:
81 don't like to see Penn here as for my
self, | don't care. would never forgive my
self if he were shot. He must be kept out
of this hot fire; 7 could never meet mother
if let him stay here and be killed"
Then calling Penn, he told him to hand him
his loaded pistol. and take his empty one and
90 behind the hill and reload it. and thus, in
all probability, saved his brothers life by ex-
posing his own.
In the winter of '64-5, for unusual gal
lantry displayed in the numberless engage
mcnts around Richmond and Petersburg,
Captain Thomson was promoted to major of
horse artillery, and was looked upon by Gen.
Pendleton and all the cavalry generals as one
of the best artiIerists in the army. At the
fall of Petersburg he fought his guns, dis
putting every inch Of ground until they were
all disabled or had to be abandoned before
overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Dur
ing Lees retreat. he was ever encouraging
the men, and never for an instant considered
our cause hopeless one. After losing his
guns, he was constantly with Rosscr and Fitz