Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-07-05
MIscEL1AMEous.
: DEATH OF ASRBY,
tFrOm the Baltimoreaa.)

tFrom the Baltimoreaa.)
The army marched from Harrisonburp in
the direction of Port Republic, on the morn. !.
ing OF the 6sh of June, 1862. They had not
seen the enemy for nearly two days aud in>
dulssd tue hope that they were now beyond
pursuit In this, however, they were mis-
taken. The destruction of tho bridge over
the Shenandoah had delayed the Federal
advance for short time only, and they were
now pressing forward again on Jackson's
trail. =
Their cavalry advance the lst New .Jer.
sey-Was commanded by Sir Percy WIND.
ham, an, Englishmsn, who had served as a
captain in tho Austrian army; in the Italian
Revolution under Garibaldi as colonel. and
had como 10 the United States at the break.
ing out of the war, and had received from
President Lincoln the appointment of colo
mel OF cavalry. Placed in cutnmand of n
regiment to operate in the Valley, Colonel
Wyndham had suffered much from tho en-.
terPrso and activity al Ashby. and had
publicly announced his intention speedily to
bag that officer. We loarn this from
correspondent Of n Northern journal who ac>
companIed Col. Wyudbam, and who nara,
ted what occurred on this occasion Ad.
v1ncing now from Harrison burg, Col. Wynd>
ham came, about in tho afternoon. Enon
Ashbys cavalry, drawn up to dispute his
iurther progress, and notified his friend, tho
correspondent that if he "wishci to see a
litsIo fun, he ought to rcmain and witness
the encounter. The correspondent did do
so,and what he witnessed was the scene hero
recorded. Ashby had seen Col. Wyudhsm
some time before ho wns himself discovered
and determined to "bag" Sir Percy. he
accordingly sent portion of his command
to make circuit, unperccived, and take po>
sItIon on the side of the rond at point
whcre the crest of a small hill concealed
them from view. When the party was in
position, he naGe a demonstration on tho
road in front of Col. Nyndham, with the
apparent purpose Of opposing his advance.
The force which Ashby showed in front
was deslgnedly small, to draw his adversary
on, and the plan succeeded Wyndhnm.
flushed with antici patcd success, aud now
certain that he would capture or crush the
renowned cavalier of tho Valley. CHARGED
down the road; when Ashby advanced to
meet him, tho party in ambush closed in on
his rear, and he was captured, together with
sixty three of his men. AS he was marched
to the rear, under guard he is described as
appearing 'muoh chopfalleu, and looking
unuttcrablo things in tho way of impotont
rage, disappointed hopes, and wounded
pride" AS lie passed along, the troops
greeted his appearance with laughter but
what is snid to bave excited his rage to the
highest pitch, was the exclamation of the
Southern soldiers as he passed "Look at
the Yankee Coione!" Sir Percy, it seems.
had great horror of beiOg regarded az n
Yankee, /" and could not bear this title with
equanimity.
The affair which thus resulted in tho can.
ture of Colonel Wyndham by the comnan-
der of the Confederate cavalry, was succeed,
ed on the same afternoon By more serious
engagement, in which Ashby was to fall
depTiving the army of the services of psr,
tisan of matchless enterprise, indefatigabIo
energy, and romautio dariug. His fame had
mounted to the zenith in the brief and lirey
campaign now nearly over, and he seemed
to have before him long years of renown and
usefulness, when he was suddenly cut down.
we approach the narrative of his death With
reluctance, but cannot omit au event which
covered the whole srmy with gloom, and
struck down in bis pride snd strength the
renowned Partisan of the Valley.
The cnemy's cavalry was speedily followed
by the main body of their troops, and be-
lievipg that he could strike them to advaut.
age, Ashby sent back for portion of tho
infantry which was placed at his orders, for
the defence of the rear. The FIGty-ei
Virginia and First Maryland were sent to
him; and leaving Colonel Munford in com
nand OF tho cavalry, with orders to keen un
lire of artillery upon the Federal cavalry.
drawn upon hill in his front, Ashb7 tool.
the two regiments of infantry and moved to
the right of the road through the fields. with
the design of making circuit, unperceived,
and falling on the left flank of the epemv
They seem to havc conceived similar DE-
sign to assail his right flank; and thus the
two columns met, encounterinS each other
IN held waving With ripe wheat. near a
piece of woodland. General EEell. who had
arrived, threw forward his skirmizhers to
drive the Federal forces from their cover be-
hind fence Immediately in his front. It
was about sunset when this movement was
made, and the golden flush of the beautiful
June evening fingered on the trees and
frightened their SUBMITS, as it slowly died
away heyond the western hills. The troops
advanced cautiously through the tangled uu,
| derwood, when all at once the dropping fro
| of musketry was heard in front, and the
| Fifty. y.eighth Virginia. very small regiment,
was ordered to attack the onemy. Ashby
led it, and heavy vo1ley was poured into
! the Federal forces, which they replied to
| another came from the ffty-eightb, aud the
| firing on the right became hot and oontiuu-
Gus. Gen EWell saw that the position of
| the enemy vas such as to give them great
advantage against an attack in front, aad
| that the small numbers of the fifty. eighth
were making no impression. he acsordioely
! ordered Col johnson, commanding the Grst