Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-14
A Night on the Battlefield.
By John Esten Cookel

10Y JOuu Listen COOhe.)
Fortunate is the incident In this
bustling, hurryng world of ours where
there is so much to look at, 50 much to
think OF, so much to excite tears or in
dignation or laughter-fortunate, we say,
is the incident which possesses the su-
preme advantage of being picturesque.
Other incidents may equal or surpass
It in moral beauty, but they Will not be
able to equal II in attraction. Hearts
may throb as nobly therein. but the world
WEI not catch the tumultuous heaving Of
the bosom. Tears as noble may be
shed. but they will flow in silence and
unobserved. Deeds as worthy may be
performed. but If they do not possess pic
turssqueness, are they ever heard Of?
DO the writer's Of tho North, who ought
to know the truth, declare that the Fede-
raj general CWrighO rallied and reformed
their line after Early's terrible bow at
them at Cedar Creek, in October, 1854?
And yet IL was that picturesque gene
raj. Sheridan, who rushed at fun speed
upon the field, "shod with fire." says his
poet and carried off all the glory. I'm
happy General Wright if Mr. Swinton is
good authority; why did you not arrive
at the nick of time. rally the rallied. and
reap the honors Of the hard-fought field
Your good, hard work and steady
turesque' or striking" General; and
hence nobody but the whole world fifty
years from this time Will ever know that
II was you, not Sheridan. who saved the
Federal army from destruction on that
day.
But every subject has two phases,
every thought cuts double-edge; the
shield is silver or gold, as it is looked
at from one side or the other. Actions
may be grand and picturesque, both as
noble and beautiful as they are striking
and impressive. The incident which we
are now about to relate will be found
TO illustrate this statement. The pic
ture which we shall attempt 10 draw
IS one of those which catches the eye,
moves the heart, touches the hidden
fountains Of feeling, and draws forth
those mobile tears" which flow forever
In the long current Of our human history
at the mention OF all beautiful and he
roic deeds
The incident took place in July. 1864.
Just after Early's return from Washing
ton, and when his advance force under
Ramseur was near Winchester. On the
afternoon OF the Goth OF that month,
General Ramseur, the gallant. the noble,
the heroic Ramseur, who died, as he
had lived. a fearless soldier and a STAIN
less gentleman, received information
from General Vaughan that General
Averkl was az Stevenson's Depot, a few
miles northeast OF the town, with a
force so small as TO render an attack
upon him almost certain TO result in his
capture. Acting upon this information.
Ramseur put his troops In motion, ad-
vanced 10 attack Averill, and soon the
forces on both sides were engaged in an
obstinate conflict. Ramseur having moved
with too little caution, In consequence OF
the reported inferiority Of his opponent
the result was serious repulse by
Averilrs force, the loss Of four pieces Of
artillery, the death Of Colonel Board, Of
the Fifty-eighth Virginia. and the wound
ing of Generals Lewis and Lily. Many
of the command, officers. and privates
besides these gentlemen, were killed and
wounded. When Ramseur fen back, as
he was compelled to do, so as to prevent
himself from being fianked by large
force approaching from Berryvllle, he left
the ground covered with his dead and
wounded. He retired through Winches-
ter, Joined Early at Newtown, and Win.
chester was again ia the hands Of the
Federalists.
winchester" throughout the wal
meant, most OF all, 1.-THE women Of Win
chester" II was this noble body of high
eouled and heroic women who now looked
with eyes full OF regret and longing upon
Ramseurs disappearing columns. and
with sadness unutterabie toward the bat
tle-neid near by. wherein SO many OF
their dear southern defenders were lying
In their blood.
With the women OF Winchester TO see
suffering Vas 10 attempt courageously