Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-27

'Trrot, marcni~ was the command, No
Ash hurried his squadron forward to
share the shock with his leading men.
Many strong man In our command
prayed at that moment for Ash and his
men. lie had now gained vantage
position where, because of turn In
the river above, he commanded view
of the interior of the confederate
breastworks, What he saw no one
could tell
But just then the enemy opened with
n few scattering shots, and a whitening
volley followed. by motion rather
than command, Ash intimated TO his
squadron to seek cover, while he, bend.
ing forward on his horses neck, turned
TO the right and rode at u rapid gallop
along the river bank parallel TO the
enemy's works, followed as he came
opposite each new part OF the breast
works with volley after volley.
There seemed no hope for him, and
we watched with intense anxiety, ex-
pecting every moment 10 see horse and
rider go down. Yet both kept on amid
the storm Of lead apparently unhurt.
That something must be done 10 help
him now was doubt not, the thought
In every ones mind.
Suddenly, as Ash reached another
part of his route, where his view Of the
confederate lines was still more extend
ed he raised his hat and waved II over
his head. II was signal OF triumph.
Then occurred scene which has not
been witnessed since the times Of the
Joyous passages OF arms" in the age Of
chivalry. To our amazement, the con-
federates, moved by admiration for his
gallantry, ceased to Are ON the intrepid
horseman. Instead, they mounted on
their breastworks as thick as they could
stand, and, throwing their hats In the
air, chccred him again and again, maxi
ing tho valley echo with their shouts.
At this, Ash, taking In the situation
at once, refined up his horse, and, turn
ing toward the confederates, raised his
hat and acknowledged their cheers with
graceful salute repeated several times,
Then he turned and rode leisurely into
our own lines, amid the cheers and APP
plause OF his comrades-reechoed by
the confedsrates.
He had accomplished the work with
out the loss of a man, and had seen
himself and displayed TO every one
else, a full force Of infantry manning
the confederate works.
The whole affair took less time than
II takes 10 read this hasty and i'm perfect
sketch; but thought, and still think,
that II was the bravest deed on the part
OF an individual that | cvor witnessed.
Capt. Ash, In reporting 10 me after
ward, stated that his scheme of d0vel-
oping the enemy's force had not oc-
CURED TO him until he had reached the
brink Of the river, and found that the
enemy held their works In force.
To 20 on meant certain death 10
many Of his command. To retreat In
the line Of direct fire would be equally
disastrous; and the inspiration To dc
what he did, ride rapidly across Their
line Of aim, and gradually oblique out
of range, suddenly seized him.
His risk was great and he knew Il
but II was better thnn any other course
that presented itself 70 his mind. Men
accomplish in seconds under such cir
cumstances the thought Of hours, witt
conclusions not less correct than thos,
attending more deliberation.
True, no one could have foreseen thai
the excitement and rapid tire Of the en-
envy would so far disturb their aim as u
insure that the union officer should es'
cape unhurt; and still less could the ef
feet Of his intrepid conduct on the enemy
have been foretold.
Now, after the lapse OF years, the
story Of this heroic deed appears almost
fabulous. Then IL seemed very real
and all natural enough.
| need scarcely add that rs we united
with the confederatcs in cheering tn,
, bold rider, our hearts went out 10 tn,
generous foe who so well appreciated 4
! gallant act, and so chivalrously ac
knowledged H. We were then i'm
pressed-and who has not been2-witl
the fact that, whether wearing tn,
gray or the blue, the true American sol
dier is a worthy descendant OF the mer
who made glorious the history Of chiv
alry.-Gen. Wesley Merritt, In YOUTH
. Companion.