Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-23

ride around the Army OF thc IntolhhN nu
the peninsula hcralded new king. These
two typical Sous " chivalry-chivalry thnt
was no myth-werc fatoh rivals at one
stage u the war. Both had taken active
part la that tragic preliminary OF the con
nict. the llarpcr'a Ferry episode n lsl9-
Stuart n an officer Of the United States
army and Ashby ~ captain Of a company
of volunteer cavalry.
At that time subsequent events In the
lives Of each were nodded. Another vol
untecr commander Of Virginia vigilantcs
at Harpor'a Ferry was Mai. Thomas n,
Jackson tStoncwaln, leading a corps Of
cadcts from the military institute AZ Lex.
ington During campaign Of several
weeks. guarding the Potomac river against
further abolition raids. jackson and Ashby
became warm friends. Jackson, ~ n
trained military man, aaw In Ashby, tho
saddle sportsman OF the Blue Ridge hills
u born soldier with hero blood In his veins
Gen. Ashby's grandfather, Capt Jack
Ashby, was Washington's lightning mes
sengcr TO announce Brnddock's defeat to
the government ut Williamsburg. and
Capt. jacks son. Col. Turner Ashby, father
OF the general. was u soldier Of the war Of
1872
Young Turner Aahby won local fame In
the sports and pastimes Of his day, lio
was n crack hunter, n social hero, and one
VI the most graceful and daring riders In
the tournament which during his young
manhood nourishcd on Nirgnlhn soil. In
the jousts he pcrannatcd the "knight Of
Iiinwatha," and In Indian paint, feathers,
beads aud huck8kin, suddenly swooped
down tho truck on fiery black stallion,
bareback and without birdie or rcin--a
startling. wild aud picturesque figure,
bringing wildly To the doors Of the peace.
full planters Of Virginia the scenes Of the
wild west.
After the "John Brown war" Of 1850
Ashby kept up his company " volunteer
cavalry, and as soon as Virginia sounded
the secession note In 1891 took TO the saddle
aud marched on Harper's Ferry to seize
the government arsenal. Jackson also
hurried 10 the spot with body OF state
troops and exercised command.
Such Ia the lay Of the land at Harper.
Ferry that the post can only b. defended
on the Maryland side by a force ON Mary
land Heights, and Jackson sent Ashby
with his company 10 picket those hills
While ON this duty Ashby lind u chance /,
serve his cause u turn that an army could
not have cNcolled. During the first Hui
hun campaign, shile the Union army wa
marching from Washington on Manassas
another unioa army under Gen, Patterson
moved down Cumberland valley to tn,
upper Potomac to threaten tho Shcnan
doah
While jackson and Ashby were at llar
por's Ferry. ~ above stated, Patterson wa
gathering his army around Chambcrsburg
Pa. In orlcr TO learn patterson's strength
and plans Ashby made spy trip to hi
camp. Disguised ~ an humble country
man lac passed himself oil asa hor,o docto
and completely deceived the Union picket
and scouts along tho route. His inforna
ton put the southerneri on their guard II
the Shenandoah, and Pattcrson's army wa
checLmated at every step, fact that con
tributed 10 the Bull Run disaster.
Meanwhile Jackson was superseded 10
time by Gen. Joe Johnston us Cunfcd
crate leader In the valley, aud Johnston
called Col. "Job" Stuart TO the front u
chief u cavalry In that section. Stunr
WIS younger than Ashby, but he had bcel
In the old army with Joe Johnston an,
Robert u. lce, and enjoyed their favor
Ashby was on the point NJ quitting IN
service when Jackson intcrforcd and go
him detached to another Held boyon,
Stuart's haillwiok. When Johnston mad
his celebrated march to Bun Run flol
Stuart followed hlm. and Ashby's sta
arose again. Hull Run made Jaclso
famous ~ "Stonowall," and with mni0
generals commission he returned to d
Shenandoah IN command Of tho dist ci
and Ashby resumed his old place as chic
Of cavalry. Ashby had not been idle In III
interim, but ~ Lieutenant colonel OF "a
Seventh Virginia cavalry had thrilled ia
hearts Of his ncighbors with numerous "a
PLOTS. The young men Of the region Pre-
claimed him rs the leader OF their chOic
by docking to his standard.