The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-12-10

then formed next to the Fltty-elghth Virginia
Soon after the skirmishers moved out there was
sharp firing along the line, but we met nothing to
obstruct our march until we reached the crest OF
a small hill, and we then saw battery OF brass
guns, and it was soon evident that there was 10
be sharp work. | laid the men under the cover OF
the hill, but they had not lain there long before
some of the men on the right shouted, they are
firing on our f1ank!' They are firing ON our
fank!'
".Just then charge was ordered and as the
First Maryland sprang to the crest of the hill
they were met and staggered by volley from the
First PENNSYLVANIA Bucktails, which were posted
in worm fence not very far in front OF US. 1t
was one of the most effective and well-directed
fires I ever witnessed during the war. Four of
nv color-bearers were shot down in succession
and twenty-seven men were killed at the first
fire. AS I said, the volley staggered the regi-
ment and in the midst of the confusion man
rode up to me very eXcitedly and said:
"Ashby is dead! Ashby is dead!'
"Sure enough Ashby was dead. The yolley
which for a moment had stunned the First Mary
land killed Ashby's horse He was at home in
the saddle, however, and the fall did not injure
swinging his revolver over his head, shouted:
Forward, Virginans! Forward'
A shot cut short a gallant life, and Ashby fell
dead, even before the regiment he ordered to
charge had time to obey. His death naturally
added to the confusion, but it was only momen-
tary, and as soon as | could get the men under
control of my voice they rallied, and then made
as desperate charge as was seen during the war.
The Bucktails, however, stubbornly stood their
ground, and it took a severe fight to dislodge
them. We finally succeeded but not without
great loss.
Naturally" said General Johnson, Il thought
estimation in which my superiors held it then,
might, by this time, think l had been preiudiced
on account of my pride in the troops commanded,
but this fight between the Bucktails and my
regiment was the subject Of much comment
among both officers and men ON both sides, and
here is a copy of the general order issued by my
commanding officer commencing the services of
the regiment:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION
June 49, 1862
General Order No. so:
LII Ol Tue SdllduU COuuuCG VI
the First Maryland Regiment:
"On the 9Th of June inst, when led by Colonel
Bradley T. Johnson, they drove back with loss
the Pennsylvania Bucktail Rifles, in the engage
ment near Harrisonburg, Rockingham County,
Va. Authority is therefore given to have one of
the captured bucktails the insignia of the Federal
regiment, appended to the color staff of the First
Maryland Regiment
by order of Major-General Ewell.
JAMES BARBOUR, A A. G."
This original order and a photograph of his
regimental fag with bucktail at its head, is
well preserved by General johnson as memento
of that memorable engagement with the Penn
sylvania troops.
1t would take book to recount all Of the
interesting stories of that fight" said General
Johnson, while giving some of the leading
incidents.
Colonel Kane who commanded the Bucktails,
behaved with great gallantry, and was very
severely wounded. l believe he and an officer of
nay regiment are the only soldiers who, during
the late war, actually fought a duel in the midst
of battle.
In the final charge, which dislodged the
Bucktails, Captain Murray, who commanded
Company HI of my regiment, in some way or
other came almost face to face with Colonel Kane
Each drew his pistol and began shooting, and
there they stood firing at each other at less than
ten PAGES until both of them had fired every load
out of their revolvers. do not think that either
one was wounded in that novel duel. Kane was,
however, severely wounded later in the fight
and taken prisoner. l remember him distinctly
as he looked when brought back with a shot in
his leg. l ordered him taken to the rear and
cared for. My men who captured him found
him sitting near stump, believe, and said they
thought he took his defeat very hard. He never
had any cause for chagrin, because he made a
most gallant and stubborn fight.
Murray, poor fellow, who fought the duel
with Kane, was afterward killed at Gettysburg
He was as brave man ever drew sword.
Kane, l believe, is still living in Pennsylvania
and is, 1 think, the only man who has a right to
say, that during the war he stood face to face
with an opponent and took and sent six shots in
the midst of battle.
II should like very much to know Colonel
Kane's recollections of this fight because it was
so distinctively battle between the Bucktails
and the First Maryland regiment"
The history of the war is full of Just such
thrilling stories as the one above given, but they
are only to be reached when you meet some of
the actual heroes of them. The story of great
battles, as told in the books, necessarily leaves
ont the most interesting pOints and tho history