The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1888-05-02
A TOUCHING SCENE.
sTONEwALL JACKSON AT
THE BIER OF ASHBY.
A Reminiscence of the War roid
by "Recorder" uorrespon-
dent.

dent.
The tedium OF to days illuess !
have tried to while away, listlessly
going loosely through volume after
volume. and carelessly glanciug at,
faces that were once familiar in the
Army of Northern Virginia, and
have since gene down. in the halls
storm Of battle. Then on this Apiil
day, the mocking bird is singing in
the trees in the yard. and II reminds
me Of the Memorial Day that comes
with blushing, enchanting May,
when strange, sweet, weird mnsic
will host out over the long rows of
the sleeping battalions Of the dead.
Feverishly tossing from side 10
side Of my bid, and throwing aside
book after hook, l felt / could not
read-just then ''Ayerett's Memoirs
Of Turner Ashby and his compeers'
popped IN nv head can read that.
On opening il. there met NE the
steel portrait of that matchless.
cavalier. | lad frequently seen i,
before around the campfires. Rev.
james b. Avegett, an eloquent and
clever young Episccpalian was the
chaplain Of The Ashby Laurel Bri-
gade. he was fro n Newbern this
State, and frequently visited my reg
iment and always called ON me. BE
always had in his breast pocket Que
of those old>fashioned square folding
daguerreotype cases. MANY q time,
has be shown II tn me. IL was the
picture Of Ashby taken sfter be was
dead Ills devoted chaplain. Rev
Nr. Ayerttt. could not bear the idea
Of Ashby going 10 the grave wi h no
picture left behind. 30 at the little
village of Port RepubliH, the lead
Generals pictnfewas taken by da J
guerreotyper we bad 10 phote graph.
ers then. IN Mr Ayere;t's petite,
the eyes were closed ir dealt hEI
book, we have reproduced tue id
eamenis Of the living General,
matchless as cavalier and stainless
as Bayard.
he was finally buried in the Stone,
wall cemetery at Winchestsr--itself
a battlefield, and around which he
bad led so often and so gallantly his
hashing squadrons. The silver plate
bears an inscription General Tur-
i lner Ashhy. born October 26th, 1923,
killed 10 heavy skirmish near Har,
risonburg, June 6 b, 1852"
From Mr. Ayerett's charming
book. ] MAKE the following extract:
1T Was he trly sunset when Ashby
fell. His 10Y was ken up ten
derly and placed on the horse
before one Of his faithful trooper,
and borne b ok 10 the little village
OF Port Republic whsrs il Jay nll
night with guard Of honor. An
night long tits . was 4 sllw cnfIt pt
OF sorrowfuI hearts to this spot, sud
the heavy tramp Of tie meb who bad
so often followed him TO battle, as
they came 10 take their las Iiagcri &
look on thu LelDyed face nov calm 10
death. The sorrow Of Bis militia
family was deep. Each felt that he
had lost one Who had honored bin.
with his flirndship, and affect OF
paid its tri ute 10 scalding tears. His
troopers would come 10 and tai >
their last look at their idoiized
leader, and then hurry away, while
through tht II ssbB, might be heard,
aNobie Ashbyl Gone! Gone!'
Among tl.m, private 'sck, per-
haps the b ndest aud beet scout in
the Army, came in. lie stOJd ior
sometime indulging his silent griel
At last, vi Il brUken voice. be I'd
dressed the lead. ave shall MS.
you Nigh -General-we sal
miss you 10 lhe camp! we shall uiss
YOU as W o out on the &c Iuil bot
We shall miss yOu most, Gle a'al,
when We 10 out to-" The sentaar
was left unfinished. Poor ~ ck
I1oke down aod hurried away firm
ie presence q the dead-sobbing
bnyulsiyely,
During tie night Jackson cam
with sormsing heart lie was at
his quarters converting with { piis.
oneF. Col. Wyndham, let New Jersey
cavalry, when be was called out and
the painfal report Of Gsn. A.h "
death made known 10 him. In. antly
calling Biz kinsman and staff DfIi er,
Col. ". l.. Jackson, be requested
him 10 dismiss the prisoner, saying
IL cannot zee him further tonight y
lie went Immediately 10 his private
spartmens, and bis staff did not see
him sgaiu that night. Late IN Tue
night. the illustri0us mOurnsr came,
he was admitted alone. ale re.
mained for some time in silent com.