Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-11-20
ASHBY'S DASH.
A story of the Confederate War Told.

A story of the Confe derate War Told.
THRILLING RECITAL OF MARCH AND COUN-
TER MARCH, OF ADVANCE AND RETREAT,
SHOWING THE HEROIsM DEVELOPED UPON
THE FIELD BY THE LEADERS OF THE CON-
FEDERATE HOSTS.
While Stohewall jackson was retiring
upon Harrisonburg, pushed by Fremont
and watching out for Shields, the rear of his
army was defended by General Ashby, of
covalry fame. His immediate command
numbered less than 1000 horsemen, and
until the last few miles of the march he
checked all assaults with cavalry and ar
tillery.
1t was highway admirably laid out for
successful defense by rear guard. AL
ways narrow-full of sharp descents and
sudden ncurves-natural umbuscades at ev-
cry mile-it needed only dozen men at
certain spots to hold regiment at bay for
a quarter of an hour. jackson pushed
ahead at a famous rate, and the roar of the
guns of the rear-guard was ever in his ears.
At one point nine dismounted cavalrymen
held the narrow road until the federals had
advanced two full regiments, and one hum
dred men had worked their way up the sides
of the mountain to flank the little band.
These nine men killed and wounded twenty
three men before they were pushed back,
and though dozen shells were fired at
them as they retreated along stretch of
road not man was injured.
THE CAPTURE OF wINDHAM.
During the afternoon of the last day of
the retreat the federal general, Windham,
who had command of full brigade of cav
airy, was pushed to the front to drive
through the confederate rear-guard. The
spot chosen was where the highway stretch
ed across a level, thus giving the cavalry
room to deplOy and vancouver. Not quite
half a mile beyond the confederate rear
guard was holding the hill over which the
road wound Two pieces of artillery were
posted in the road, and dismounted cavalry
supported them. When it was seen that
Wyndham's brigade was massing for a
charge, Ashby hastily collected about ZOO
of his men and massed them in the high
way. The guns were then drawn aside and
the cavalrya carbines slung and depending
upon the sabre alone, rushed down the high
way in mighty mass. Wyndham was
struck in the center and the confederates
passed clear through his lines, wheeling at
the call of the bugle, and, dividing to the
right and left, they fell upon the two wings
with such fury as to rout both. 1t was sa-
bre work almost entirely, and in a fifteen
minutes fight $50 men were killed or wound
ed, Wyndham and six officers captured,
and two flags, 80 horses and 40 prisoners
taken. Ashby led the charge and men who
followed close after him aver that he struck
as many as sis different men with his sa-
bre. In that fight confederate, now liv-
ing on a farm near Glendale, Va, had his
right ear sliced off close to his head, and
the sabre sunk into his shoulder in a way to
forever disable his arm. The wound in bis
shoulder was felt at once but the loss of his
ear was not noticed until the fight was over.
Wyndham sought to excuse his disaster by
talking of the cowardice of his troopers,
but his own sabre was without stain, and
men who heard no orders of command can
not be blamed for falling into panic. The
confederates rode right at solid lines and
the shock of meeting knocked down numer-
GUS horses and disabled a number of men.
CHARGING INFANTRY.
Half an hour later Fremont's advance of
infantry was pressing so closely that infant
ry had to be sent back to oppose them.
Ewell ambushed three or four regiments in
the woods and fields at a turn of the road,
but the advance scented the trap and de-
ployed right and left, and advanced to the
attack in two lines of battle, most she
force being composed of Pennsylvania BUCK
tails. To reach the confederates the blue
lines had to cross wide, open fields, and as
they left their shelter they received such a
fire that all further advance was checked.
The men were seeking the cover of rocks
and bitches, and holding their ground well,
when Ashby thundered down npon them
.r,E i, H. -
form squares, and the charge resulted in
defeat. The infantry were driven back
upon the reserve, horses and men, federal
and confederate intermingled and again the
sabre and bayonet inflicted terrible work.
Almost every cavalry horse was wounded
some three or four times, and many of their
riders were thrust with the bayonet and
pulled out of their saddles.
AsHBY's DEATH
How strange that so few of the cavalry
leaders on either side died as they might
have wished to die-leading their commands
in some glorious charged Ashby had court
ed death a hundred times as he rode at the
head of his men. Here on this lonesome
road, as night came down, he formed anoth-
er ambush with infantry. The trap was
well set, but as its Jaws were about to
spring, shot fired at random by fed
eral struck one who had risked his life a
dozen times that day, and laid him low
Jackson was Lees right arm. Ashby was
Jackson's right arm. The tribute paid him
by the eccentric warrior was not lengthy,
but it outweighed the boom of cannon, the
long professions the burdens and the eff
forts of orators.-When courier rode up
to Jackson and announced the news, he
dropped the reins, his head hung low, and
he whispered:
"Poor Ashby am grievedn'
STUART AFTER POPE.
The cavalier of the South was Stuart
He was born to the saddle. He looked
upon infantry as sort of necessary evil,
and whenever he attempted to handle them
in conjunction with cavalry he was worst
ed. Had there been no army regulations
Stuart's men would have been dressed more
like knights than dragons. Rough old
fighters smiled at his plumed hat and his
dandy ways, but Stuart was fighter. Had
he worn ruffied shirt and a velvet cloak he
would still have been the dashing cavalry
leader that he was, counting odds as moth
ing and ever fighting to win.
When General Pope had his headquarters
at Catlett's station, Stuart one day paid
him visit of inspection. Pope didn't care
particularly to see Stuart but Stuart had a
longing to see the man whose headquarters
were in she saddle and who wanted his men
to forget the word retreat. With about 300
men Stuart one day made a hard ride and a
sudden dash. But for federal forager,
mounted on a thoroughbred running horse,
Pope would have been taken in his tent.
AS it was, he had about ten minutes warn
ing and got away, leaving behind all his
papers, clothing and baggage. Stuart cap
tured the station and all left behind, and
one of the prizes was new suit of clothes
for Pope which he had not yet stepped into.
His supply of liquors included whiskey,
brandy, cognac, champagne, port and sew
eral other brands, and were used to wash
the dust out of the throats of the confeder-
ates. Pope's razor, looking glass, bedding,
fine shirts, and other articles of toilet were
divided as souvenirs, and gilt-edged Tes-
lament, with his name in, was pocketed by