Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-07-27
HOW ASHBY DIED.
A Writer i'm the "Confederate
Veteran" Tells How Cupid
Brought the News.

over the land. The little towI
of Harrisonburg, in the hear
of the Shenandoah Valley, la,
bathed in sunshine. Great branche.
of the beautiful trees shaded the side
walks and in part the horsemen il
the streets. Citizens seemed to be
urged by some unseen danger. Sew
eral groups of soldiers rode rapid,
forward and diSmounted at lareS
white house that stood ut the end OF
a long street, where much merry
noise and chatter were soon heard
mingled with the clatter of dishes as
the soldiers were quickly served with
all the rations Southern housekeep-
er could command at such short no.
tice and the havoc that contending
armies had left.
The Federal army was advancing,
while Jackson had been ordered to
join Lee over the mountain and that
stern soldier had already advanced
several miles, with Ashby's cavalry
protecting his rear and making FIRE.
mont cautious in his advance.
Tom, Temple, Campbell, Col. Ball
and Capt. Grimsley had stopped to
say goodbye at the "white house. -
The venerable "Uncle Douglas" and
his wife were well-known Unionists,
but also well-known as friends of
soldiers of both armies, and espec-
tally to Maryland and Virginia boys.
The soldiers did not take time to
unbuckle sabers or pistols, but talk
ed to the pretty cousins and sweet
hearts with watchful eyes upon their
horses, which were impatiently paw
ing, as if they knew it was time to
join the company rapidly passing.
AS Uncle Douglas stood IN the
porch noble-looking officer upon a
large white horse stopped moment
and said: slow do you do to-day,
Col. Grey? viii you tell the young
men that the enemy is advancing,
and to rejoin their command at
once?" His voice was as gentle as a
woman's, but as clear as silver bell.
Col. Gray answered, "Certainly,
Gen. Ashby," and, turning, repeated
the order to young girl on the
porch who was saying a few last
words to three or four young caval-
rymen gathered around her, and the
order was instantly obeyed. The
handsome young captain bent to
whisper one parting word, the gay
high private held one instant the lit
tie hand that trembled in his, there
was a spirited summons from the
luncheon table, packages were hastily
thrust into haversacks, sabers clank-
ed and the group mounted quickly.
Ashby paused to accept the glass
of rich milk Nellie brought to him.
As he returned the glass to her, she
standing near to say a farewell word
to the chieftain they all loyed-their
Chevalier, without fear and without
reproach"-he bent till the long os-
trich plume touched his saddle bow
and said, so softly, that only she and
the young captain who stood near
her could hear: 81 suspect that fell
low of trying to get through the lines
to obtain information little more
frequently than is necessary; and if
the Yankees catch my best scout,
shall know who is to blame" Nellie
blushed deeply, and Capt. Hilary
laughed gayly as, once more pressing
the girls little hand, he mounted
his gallant steed and sat ready to
ride with his chieftain.
Ashby was an idol with his men, g,
and he looked every inch the gentle
man and soldier that he was. He
sat his horse if he were part of it.
His broad hat shaded noble white
forehead, his dark eyes glowed with
untamable spirit and the long black
beard that fel; down to his breast
gave added dignity to his appear
ance.' Brave as lion and gentle as
a woman, he was reckless in battle,
but as courteous and magnanimous
to prisoners as was the Black Prince
of an Older time. His men would
have gone through fire guided by the
flash of his saber.
When about starting he turned in
his saddle and looked along the long,
broad street and said quietly: "Look!
there is the head of the enemy's COL
umn. Ride at a quick trot, four
abreast. We are leading to an am
bush, they suspect, and will not fol-
low too closely. AS soon as over the
hill, gallop to the command.
On the green hill above the town
a picket sat his horse, the whole fig
ure like a statue of perfect mold out
lined against the blue sky. Slowly
it now moved, gradually fading be-
hind the hill, and with great clatter
the Bucktails, a fine PENNSYLVANIA
regiment that had chosen as their
emblem the buck tail, and with it
decorated their hats-thundered
down the street.