Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-05-18
Wyndham and Ashby.

After the battle of Winchester, In the
Valley Of Virginia, Gen. -Jaekson-Stone.
wall-was forced to fall back, being pressed
by Gen. Fremont. Gen. Jackson, in his
retrest up the Valley, was seriously eneun-
bered with the prisoners and stores he had
captured, aud it required great skill and
prudence to make safe his escape from the
armies that were following him 1t 10 we'll
known to those familiar with the history Of
the unhappy war between the two sections
that up to the time of his death Gen. Ashby
was the commander of the cavalry attached
to Gen Jaekson's army in the Valley. In
the retreat of Gen. jackson, Gen Ashby
covered the rear of the army, aud had good
many sharp conflicts with the Union forcea
all along the march from Winchester to Har>
risonbnrg-a distance of seventy miles.
During tie retreat the Union cavalry was
under tho command of General Wyndham or
at least the detachment which figured in the
incident We are relating. This running
fight or skirmishiug continued until the con-
testants reached point three miles south OF
Harrisonburg, and within four miles Of
Cross Keys battle ground. At the place
named General Ashby had placed the main
body of his command beyond hill and en-
tirely concealed from his pursuers. With
detachment of twenty or thirty men he then
advanced toward the Union forces. who were
pressing forward. In a moment his gallant
foe was after him, and he retreated toward
the HILL The Union forces were led by
General Wyndham in person. When Ashby
reached the brow of the hill his reserves
came dashipg forward and the Union cavalry
were in turn forced to retreat. The conflict
took place in public road. on eithor side Of
which was very high rail fence. Il was
owing to this fact, no doubt, that the affair
Terminated ns it did. About one, fourth Of
mile from where the Union cavalry COM
menccd their retreat the road assumes the
shape Of a funnel. narrowing down until 10
was scarcely twenty feet wide. While the
Union cavalry were pursuing the Confeder.
ates General Wypdhsm was in advance of
his men, so that when they turned to retreat
he was in their rear. The gallant Ashby led
his command, he in front. 90 the retreat
Ashby soon got in striking distance Of Wypd-
ham, aud as he dashed up to him With his
sabre drawn one would have expected him to
strike his foe to the earth. But he did not;
and thus they rode, almost side by side. for
several hundred yards, Ashby holding his
sabre high above his head, as If intending
every moment to cut down his enemy.
When the retreating Union cavalry
reached the narrow point in the road they
became jammed together SO that the retress
was partially checked, and then they were
huddled together in a confused mass. Az
this moment General Wyndham and his pur-
sucr, Ashby, came up to them. The former
could go no longer, aud the latter had .
splendid opportunity to cut his enemy down.
He did not strike, however, but shcathed his
sabre, and putting his hand on the shoulder
of Wyndiham turned and led him away q
prisoner. Half an hour after that General
Ashby was killed while leading his troops in
a fight with brigade of infantry. Tho spot
where he fell is not more than half mile
distant from that where he performed the
last of his many gallant and generous deeds.
philadelphia Times.