The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-10-24
A NORTH CAROLINA AUTHOR.
Rey. James Battle Ayirett's T1emOir
of Gen. Turner Ashby.
lI.ouishurr IimeSl

written Db l1hitiC ilStt- VI
this State, who was the chaplain OF the
Ashby Brigade, and who officiated at the
burial OF its brilliant and beloved chief on
the 9TH day OF June, 1862.
Before he makes the first stroke for the
plrndid pOrtrature that is presented IN
this memoir, the author repeats alter
the great Goethe that "the tendency OF
human nature to debase itself Is so
strong, that it is a duty we owe ourselves
to hear some good music, to read little
beautiful poetry, or to look upon fine
picture at least once day III order to
preserve a truelove OF refinement Who
ever shares this sentiment of the German
pOct-p philosopher will rejoice that this
book was written, for there rises from is
luminous pages the picture OF u soldier
and patriot, which Is at once an ideal
and an inspiration, and in looking upon
which one cannot fail to revive whatever
OF high aspiration, noble enthusiasm, or
chivalrOus sentiment may be SlumberlnS
at his heart.
Ashby was. perhaps, the most roman
tic figure which appeared on either side
during the great struggle. lie was
cavalry commander, and the exploits
Of cavalry are ever more striking and
dazzling feature OF war than the more
ordinary achievements OF infantry. lie
was a cavalier in blood. as we'll as in
spirit, and herOism in the high born IS
always fascinating. The scene OF his
gallant deeds and daring forays was the
beautiful and renowned "Nalley OF Viz
ginia" where Nature herself wears lofty
and heroic expression. Again, he rode
with great dash andsuperb MANAGE, and
presented so attractive aid inspiring an
appearance on horseback that Mr.. Avl-
rett, with pardonable enthusiasm, sug-
gests that "Ashby, represented at the
head Of the column in a charge, raising
himself in his stirrups, waving his sabre,
leading his men on to victory, ringing
out his well-known battle-cry Follow
me, Follow mer would make a coat OF
arms more acceptable to the people OF
Virginia than any other save that which
he loved far above all other heraldry-
Sic S emper Ty. annis.
But while the Sc personal advantages
enhanced his reputation and helped IN
some measure to make him tie popular
idol of the army, and the people of the
Confederacy, they were, in truth, but the
pleasing garniture OF u noble, fearless
soul. Ashby had the courage OF lion,
and his spring was as swift and his clutch
as deadly. His devotion to the Lost
Cause" had the intensity of a passion
the sef-sacrifice of a religion. To him, it
was the cause of home, honor, truth,
right, God. He was thunderbolt in
battle. He struck with the force of a
conviction He was born fighter
wary, bold, rapid, persistent, indom-
liable, inirangible,- intuitive to know
instant to do. His death was an irrepar-
able loss to the army; it was great per
sonal sorrow to Gen. .JacksOn and it is
easy to see that to his biOgrapher, 1T was
the going ont Of Il sun, the falling OF a
familiar light.
Although the character and career of
Turner Ashby, however brought to ones
knowledge, charm aud impress by the
greatness of the one and the glory OF the
other, no one should be satisfied until he
has learned truly of them both from the
pages of this memoir.
The author was intimately associated
with Gen. Ashby during the whole OF his
military career and knew him well. He
was an eyewitness OF most of the daring
deeds he relates, and was in the very
thick of all the wild excitement, tumult,
storm and peril which marked the Valley
campaign of S62, and in which Ashby
as the brilliant central tigure-the very
genius of the fray. He was part OF the
scenes he describes, and the more dlgnl-
fled exposition of the historian is relieved
by the occasional favour OF the RECON
TEUR. The memoir was written In 1866,
in the city of Winchester, close by the
"Stonewall Cemetery' in which Ashby
was sleeping while the echo the tramp OF
the Laurel brigade, and the shrill boom
G ,-nf live
among the desolated hills, and the
bringing a tribute to the story of sorrow
the Potomac was telling to the sea. 1t
is radiant with an unquenched enthusiasm
over the gallantry and proves of the
defenders of the conquered banner and
is full of the romance of war. 1t follows
Ashby from his boyhood, with his for d.
ness for venturesome sports and reckless
riding. all the way along his wonderful
and splendid career to his fall at Harris
onburg,-and so ch srming is the style, so
captivating the narrative, and so fresh
and vivid, and altogether inspiring, the
tone of the book, that the reader is a
Captive bound" until he ends it. 1t is
not only history-it is literature.
But, withal, it is true careful as to
facts,-faithful in details, and honest in
comparison. 1t tells wonderfully fas-
cinating story, but it is scrupulous to
tell q true one.
Mr. !. -irett is a scholar, and he writes
in clear, strong style which adapts it's
self easily to the subject matter It's
predominant characteristic is, perhaps,
its vividness. His widelearning has not,
as is sometimes the case with men of tai
emf, eliminated from bis style the livelier
elements, or impaired its freshness and
energy. Even when most Ornamented,
it is instinct with force and vigor. Asan
illustration of his gift of facile and beau
tiiul expression, we copy from the begin
ming OF the chapter which tells ofAshby $
death.
Thus have we followed the great cav
alier from his cradle at Rose Bank to his
last bivouac near Harrisonburg. A meadow
a little to the north of the town, where an
old saw-mill stood. was the last camping
neat day that great storm of battle was to
begin which shook the mountains around
Port Republic and reverberated among
the hills at Cross Keys. There was some
thing peculiarly appropriate in that Prov
idence which brought him to his last camp
near the capital of Rockingham County,
about the centre of the great Valley of Vir-
Ferry at its entrance, and quiet Salem at
its close. The enemy were pressing upon
the rear of Jackson, and had well-nigh
reached the heart of that Valley, the loss
of which, that great soldier said, would be
the loss of Virginia. Ashby was to fall
with his hand upon the heart of the Val
ley. Let us see how he fell. The morn
ing of the 9th of June, 1862. was ushered
in by 4 bright sunshine. All along the
line of retreat, heavy rains had fallen
But now it was eminently in keeping with
the yet undeveloped events of the day.
that sunlight should mingle with the light
of glory with which this day was to be
illuminated in the Confederate Calendar. y
And again, from the same chapter:
"Ashby fell not only as he ought to have
fallen, but yielded up his noble life just
as he would have choSen-a cavalier lead
ing cavaliers to victory. He offered up
his life on liberty's altar erected in the
| heart of the great valley of his mother
Virginia. His mission on earth had been
nnhly nerformed With IaclSnn o. IL.