The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-06-14
A CAPTAINS BRAVERY.
His Courage Was Rewarded by
Applause from the Enemy.

In the latter part of the winter of
1864 Lees army of northern Virginia
was in cantonment along the Rapidan
river, while the union forces, under
Gen. Meade, occupied the country
about CuIpeper Court House, facing the
confederates.
The winter had been so severe that
military operations of any magnitude
in Virginia were not deemed practi-
cable, though throughout the winter
the cavalry were kept employed, on the
union side at least, in watching an eX-
tended line and from time to time max
ing reconnaissance to develop the
enemy, with a view to ascertaining if
any considerable part of his force had
been detached to other fields of opera
ton farther south.
On one of these "Reminiscences the
event occurred which am about to re-
late
1t must be promised, to an under
standing of what follows, that when
the object of one army is to find out or
develop facts as to The other, then this
last thwarts attempts of the kind as
far as possible in order to keep the ad-
veI'sary in ignorance. Thus if Gen.
Meade desired to ascertain if the con-
federate army in his front had been re-
duced by sending regiments elsewhere
Gen. Lee equally desired that this in
formation should not be obtained by
Meade.
On stormy morning in February,
1851, my division of cavalry marched
from its camps in front of Culpeper
Court House, Va, with instructions to
reconnoitre the left Of the enemy's line
ON The Rapidan river, and develop the
TO &C in that direction without bring
ing on general engagement.
20 reach the desired position it was
necessary to march u considerable dis
lance to the south and cross the Rob
-irsc1 river, tributary of the Rapidan.
T..a division consisted of three brig
AIDES Of cavalry, each of the brigades be-
inc .~,Ympcnied by a battery of light,
or horse, artillery. A force of confed-
.cr&. caralrv which was on picket duty
or atkinson river was easily driven in,
-arl OH the evening of the day we
-se;ss.-t II we found ourselves face to face
with the enemy, with the Rapidan river
between us.
The work of discovering the enemy's
strength was, owing to the lateness OF
the hopr, put off till the following
,raor-.ing. After placing our pic!lets tc
Insure against surprise, we made our
selves rs comfortable for the night as
t.a weather OF an unusually raw Vir
rinia cbruary would permit.
Early the following morning the cav
airy and artillery moved toward th'
river in our front, and a lively skirmisl
with email arms, accompanied by artil
lery, commenced and was well sus
tainel on both sides.
The result was far from satisfactory
DO what we would, the enemy persist
emily declined to show force beyonc
what was necessary to engage GU
skirmish lines; and he uncovered but
gnn or two at intervals along his line
10 reply to orr artillery.
We could plainly make out long ant
formidable preastworks on the farthe
hank of the river; but whether thes
were occupied by many or few soldiers
our best efforts and most ingeniou
plans failed to discover. The entir
morning was spent in these vain al
tempts.
1T will be understood that loss of lif
ron the picket line and to a less degre
on reconnaissance is not directly dc
cisiye If a war; hence we speak of live
s'thrown away" in these duties. How
ever, in order to gather information,
may be necessary to expose soldiers t
danger, wounds and even death; an
we were now facing that necessity.
1t was finally decided that the onl
way to make the enemy show his fore
was to cross, or try TO cross, the ford
our front. If this succeeded, the enem
was to be driven out of his works
possible: if not, he would drive us bac
across the stream with possibly sever
loss to our troops,
Reluctantly, under these circun
stances, the division was organized fc
the work.
Lending the advance guard, consis
ing of a squadron Of cavalry, was Cap
Ash-dcstined to be the hero of the o
casion. Following this advance at
proper distance were the cavalry an
ARTILLERY of the division, properly forme
for effecting lodgment on the farth'
ride of the river. This stream was n,
more than thirty yards across in i
broadcast part, and at this season w;
easily fordable.
The instructions to Capt. Ash co
templated the possible crossing of n
more than his advance guard, al
not ell of thar if what we desired TO di
cover could be effected before ali h;
crossed. In this event the commai
was to be held so as to cover his retire
and protect him from pursuit by &
enemy.
Ash advanced with his squadron am
the stiffness of death. The skirmi
firing and booming of large guns whit
had attended our attempts OF the NOR
ing were hushed, and the silence whi
prevailed showed that the enemy w