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


have the mechanic arrested who drew the
knife. He was followed by Major Preston,
Professors White and Nelson, of Washington
College, and finally by few remarks from
Major (StonewalD Jackson, pledIng that full
Justice should be done them and at last they
were persuaded to return to barracks. The
most remarkable part Of this affair is yet to
be told:
That night news arrived in Lexington OF
Lincoln's proclamation for seventyfve thou
sand troops, and of the passage of the ordi-
nance of secession by the Virginia Conven-
ton 7lgo days afterwards, vote was taken
in this same rifle company, and more than a
hundred men offered their services to Cow
ernor Letcher to defend their native State /;
and in less than a week, the company, under
the command of Capt. Sam Letcher, together
with eighty Cadets, and among them Jenny
Thomson and the mechanic, marched from
Lexington cheering each other as they moved
ofF-the Rifles to Harper's Ferry, and the
Cadets to Richmond. What proof of the
devotion of Virginia's sons to their noble
mother. When she called, private hatred,
that few days before was sufficient to end
in bloodshed, was instantly buried, and hand
in hand, shoulder to shoulder, they went to
do their bidding. Between fifteen and twenty
of the Rockbridge Rifles were among the
first to stain with their life blood the bare
clay hills of Manassas on the 21st of July,
1851, where, in the Fifth Virginia infantry,
they helped to make Jackson's Storewall
Brigade immortal.
From Richmond, Thomson was ordered to
Harper's Ferry, with several Cadets, to act
as drlI-masters for the troops under Johnston,
and when that officer marched from the Val
ley to reinforce Beauregard at Manassas, he
was acting as aid d-de-camp to Genl Jackson,
and, for gallant conduct in that engagement.
he was highly recommended by the General
and others for a Lieutcnancy, showing their
just appreciation of his merits.
In the fall of 1861, he obtained leave of
absence and visited his home in Jefferson
county, and there found Ashby operating
near Charestown. On account of unusual
gallantry exhibited in a skirmish near Har-
per's Ferry, Ashby had him transferred to
his headquarters, and soon he was known
throughout the whole Lower Valley as the
"man who was always in front" And once
his father, meeting soldier in the road be-
low Charlestown, asked him if he knew where
he could find his son. lie replied:
" IF you mean that fighting Cadet, Thom>
son, you will find him down on the banks of
see him back here, he loves skirmish too
much for that"
After Ashby had fallen back to Winches-
ter, Thomson, accompanied by his cousin and
few friends, set out to scout near Smith
field; and, about mile from the village,
while William Thomson and himself were
riding some distance in advance of the rest,
they came suddenly upon two Yankees, whom
they ordered to surrender. Without replying,
the Yankees fred wounding Wm. Thomson's
horse and causing him to stop, but Jenny
dashed up to them and again demanded their
surrender; one Immediately gave up his
arms, but the other refused. At this instant
he saw that they were the advance guard of
a company that was only short distance be-
hind, and knowing that his life depended
upon haste, he a second time ordered the
Yankee to surrender, and upon his refusing,
and seeing him cooking his gun, Jenny put
his revolver to his head and blew out his
brains; and then making the other mount up
behind him. galoped off amid hail of bull
lets from the company. Finding that the
enemy we're fast gaining on them, his friends
called to him to put his prisoner down but
on he flew, till at last reaching piece of
wood he told the rest to k one direction.
while he took another. and thus he would get
off with his man. This they did, and he had
the satisfaction of seeing the Yankees take
the road in pursuit of his companions, while
he was left to continue his way at his leisure.
Striking through the country, he reached
Ashby's headquarters, several hours in
advance of the rest, and being flushed with
his first success in spiliing Yankee blood, he
conducted his prisoner to Ashbys tent, saying
as he entered:
"Colonel, have brought you a prisoner.
There were two Of them, but l only brought
one along"
"WelI, sir" said Ashby, "where is the
othcr?"
"He wouldn't come, sir, and I shot him."
was his laconc reply.
In November Cadet Thomson assisted the
celebrated Captain Chew in raising his bat
terry of horse artillery, and was elected Scc-
oHd Lieutenant, and at Kcrnstown and the
many engagements in which Ashby's com
mand took 4 conspicuous part, the thunder
of his guns sent a thrill of terror to the heart
of many a Yankee. Soon he became Ash
by's fright hand man." and wherever the
black plume of the ''Valley Chieftain" could
be seen waving, there could Thomson be
found. ever ready to 90 into the charge, or
hurl his grape and canister into the ranks of
the enemy. Ashby loved HIM as brother,
and when that noble hero fell, none mourned
him more deeply than Jenny.
He was soon promoted to first lieutenant,
and marched, in 'G2, to join Stuart, near
Culpepcr court house. He was a magnif-
cent horseman. and splendid shot with the
revolver, and woe to the Yankee that he drew
a bead on A striking proof of this came
under my own personal observation, near
Brandy station, on the 18th of September.
'63, when Stuart fell back before the enemy
to the Rapidan.
A section of his battery, commanded by
himself, was sent to support our regiment
(thc Sixth Virginia cavalry), which was hot
ly engaged Thomson ran his guns within a
few hundred yards of the enemy's line of
skrmishers. and opened on them with can
lister, tearing wide gaps in their ranks, until