Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11
md the Horse Artillery.

lWytheyille Enttrpflse)
After Ashby had fallen BACK 10 VIM
chester. Thompson. accompanied py ms
cons,n and a few friends, set out TO scout
49, smithfeld: and. about a mile from
tho village. while william Thompson ana
himself were riding some distance IN au-
vance of the rest, they came suddenly
unon two Yankees, whom they ordered
TO surrender.
Without replying, the Yankees ired.
wounding William Thompsons morse anu
causing him TO stop, but jimmy dasheu
ND TO them and again demanded their
surrender. One Immediately gave up ms
arms. but the other refused. At this IN
slant ne saw that they were the advance
guard Of a company that was only
short distance behind, and knowing that
his life depended upon haste. he secoho
time ordered the Yankee TO surrender ana
uDon his refusing. and seeing him cooking
his gun. Jimmy put his revolver TO his
head and blew out his brains, and then,
making the other mount up behind MIN,
ealloped off amid a hail or bullets from
the company Finding that the enemy
was fast gaining on them, his frlendS
called to him TO put his prisoner down,
but on he flew, till at last, reaching a
niece of woods. he told the rest to take
one direction while he took another, ana
thus he would get off with his man. This
they did. anQ he had the satisfaction Oh
seeing the Yankees take the road in pur7
suit of his companions, while he was left
10 continue his way at his leisure. Strik-
ing through the country, he reached
Ashby's headquarters several hours in
advance of the rest, and being flushed
with his srst success in spilling Yankee
blood. he conducted his prisoner TO Ash
by's tent, saying as he entered:
Colonel L have brought you
prisoner There were two OF them, but
l only brought one along"
"Wen, sir" said Ashby, where is the
other?"
"He wouldn't come sir, and I shot
him." was his laconic reply.
In November, Cadet Thompson assisted
the celebrated Captain Chew in raising
his battery Of horse artillery. and was
elected second lieutenant, and at kerns-
town and the many engagements in
which Ashby's command took con-
spicuous part the thunder of his guns
sent a thrill of terror to the heart of
many a Yankee. Soon he became Ash
by's 'right-hand man." and wherever
the black plume of the Valley Chieftain
could be seen waving there could
Thompson be found ever ready TO go
into the charge or hurl his grape and
canister into the tanks OF the enemy.
Ashby loved him as brother, and
when that noble hero fell none mourned
him more deeply than Jimmy.
He was soon promoted 10 first lieu
tenant, and marched, in 1862. to join Stuart
near Culpeper Courthouse. He was a
magnificent horseman, and splendid
shot with the revolver. and woe to the
Yankee that he drew bead on. A
striking proof Of this came under my
own personal observation, near Brandy
Station. on the iith Of September. 1863.
when Stuart fell back before the enemy
TO the Rapidan.
A section of his battery, commanded
by himself, was sent TO support our
regiment 0he Sixth Virginia Cavalry,
which was holly engaged. Thompson
ran his guns within a few hundred yards
OF the enemy's line of skirmish-
ers, and opened on them with canister.