The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-09-13

NATCHT0CHES, LA, SEPTEMBER 49, 1879 mo 50

>NSy -
The flag I am go,ugto tight unde:.
This speech indicates bis roote
sentiment-love for and a fixed r.
solve to defeud bis native soil Il
was placed ut the head Of the Vale
cavalry and thenceforth was tn
eye and ear" OF the Valley army j
all the battles Of Jackson. With hi
norsemen be led the advance o
brought up the rear, from day to da
md from month 10 that incessaD
fighting along be base Of the Bin
Ridge. which has made the region y,
famous. To one not familiar wit!
those campaigns It would BE- dtftcul
to convey any ate. Quate idea OF tn,
almost ceasel-ss collisions whic,
took place between the blue'
and the grays. Ashby's carbine
were the tattoo aud reveille OF To,
army In the dark dawn, and Otter
far Into the night, his artillery VA.
heard laundering, and the Infantry
sent to sleep to tcat lullaby. Ever,
foot OF the valley turnpike Vas con
'ested In those stern times. Th.
days and nights we're strewed all
yer With battles. DEFICIENT in dis.
cipline--a very BAD officer, indeed
10 that particular-i0 times OF Quie,
which did come now and then Ashb.
Sas. q thorough soldier and cOm
,nHnder OF cavalry on the field. Hi
vigilance was unceas,Ug. and, posted
% the wings, a. at K,rnstown snd
elsewhere. he was tn. duplicate FOL
nerve and acumen OF jackson, Whoe+
keen eye he doubted. T0ey had Y
nor quarrel once about the want oi
discipline referred tn: but jackson
fully appreciated Asby, knowing
that his value vas immense. "As u
partisan officer I never knew biz
superior, Jackson wrote. His dar.
,0g was prOver0tal, bis powers OF
endurance almost iRcredible, bic
tone OF character herDic, and hi.
+agactty almost intrusive 10 diving
he purposes and movements Of thu
enemy" Strong words these pro.
verbal. almost incredible. heroic, In.
uttive-frOm the cool and enexcit.
able Stonewall Jackson! But they
were true. applied TO Ashby, and IL
good to have them and produce
hem 10 response to the charge some.
lines made by ignorant persons that
Ashby was merely romantic person.
age. He was q soldier Of hard niue.
Gle, and had q keen and vigorous
military brain. - we'll az personal
coursge ana heroism. Otthis strong
war machine, It 10 pleasant TO read
ny way Of contrast that when some
Northern ladies who we're leaving
Winchester came to him and said !:
''You may search our baggage amt
our persons. Gen. Ashhy, aud zee II
We carry away 40 ything c0ntraband. I"
Ashby replied with his sweet smile
and y bow, II have no right to l."'k
into ladies' trunks, madam. VIZ.
ginia gentlemen do MT search the
persons Of ladies'" OF the Milroys
and Sheridans Who afterwards com
manded at Wincheater. It might be
said, QsaStsm sstali ab lilo!
Ashby fought through tho hot
spriug to the summer Of 1862, every.
where mskiog hims~lf, on us white
horse. tho target fUr bullets. and
having the eyes Of the whole army
to him-ofte1 BY bic acts OF persOn.
81 dash. ss ct Winchester where be
dragged from the saddle one OF the
troop pur-uiug him, and carried his
person III to bic own line. At the
Shenandoah bridge his white horse
sas shot, and Ashby only escaped
BY cutting bis way out with The sabra.
At last his end csme-in June, 1862.
when Jackson Was retiring like
sulky lion to the great grapple OF
Port Republic, which was TO decide
the fate Of tue valley.
Ashby was. 10 usual, bringing up
the rear With bic cavalry. Il was
early 10 June, which b the most
beautiful OF seasons IN virginia.
Fremont was pushing from the dt.
rrcttOn OF Harrisonburg, Shields ur
the Lnray Valley to cut jackson Of
from Bovine gap. which It. seemed
be could do. Jsckeon faced this
peril with bic hsbltusl phlegm,
readily retiring 70 Get away from
Shields, and when Fremont pressed
hts rear, striking vtciously 1t him. |
And IN one OF these heavy blows ut |
lne enemy In rear Ashby met biz |
Heath.
That morning be had charged and |
1ispersed near Hsrrls00burg . force
u about 20OO Federal cavalry, cup. |
turing their commander, ii. Percy
Wyndham, an Esg.ish military nj.
venturer who had made pubitc bite |
lu ention to ''bsg Asbby." To the
% the enemy we're press.
ng on. Ashby formed the design OF
lacking them on their left, and rode
" Gen. Ewell, commanding Jack.
'0n's rear guard, 20 propose Il. He
Nod EWell consulted on tho plan, and
L WSs determined upon. A brave
,oldier, Gen. Bradley 7. johnson, Of
Mar lxDd-One Ut tho truest sons OF |
he south, - veil " the most de.
ightiul OF com, AniOus- afterwsrde
spoke Ut AshbS = appearance on this |
occasion. HIS black taco Was IN . |
Dlase Of enthusisem. Every feature !
banned with tue ] y Of the soldier. |
he vas grsticulslt0g, and pointing |
.ut the c.,uutry aud positions to 0-n. |
ESell. ! could imagine what b. vas |
Ny lug by the motion Of bio right |
srm. ! polluted him out to my Ad. |
utHnt.
Look At Ash!!b!y; Geo how be l. en-.
10y tug himself"
These words al nd an accurate |
dex 0f the personal appearance Of
he man, and are tue cachst vi tbs ~.
iiviiuAlttS NJ y soldier ", the nrld. !
Ewxll gave him the Forty. eigh, b !
V.rKiutA, very small regiment, snd
A.nby hurried 70 the right. to make |
he circuit through the woodland,
sud attack the Federal dAnk. I: |
sss = beautiful evening Ut Juu~.
the fields wore green With wheat,
End the birds were singing 10 the
'0irk foliage OF tho Woode. The lsSy
,louds nOsted white against the blue !