The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-01
NOT RECENT CASES.
Moved by Admiration, Enemy Refuse
20 Fire on Lone Rider.
CYouth's Companion)


In the winter of 1864 Lees army was
in camp along the Rapidan river. The
Union forces under Meade occupied the
rift was then a cavalry commander, and
the cavalry were always busy making
reconnaissance, although the severity
of the weather had suspended other
operations. General Merritt tells this
story:
One morning in February my division
of cavalry started with instructions to
discover the extent OF the enemy's force
on the Rapidan without bringing on "a
general enga gement.e In due time we
found ourselves face to face with the
enemy, and the river between. A lively
skirinish with small arms began, but
the result was insignificant. The enemy
declined TO show force beyond what
was necessary to engage with our
skirmish line. The breastwOrks were
long and formidable. but whether they
were occupied by few or many soldiers
our most ingenious plans failed to dis
cover.
1t was finally decided that the only
way TO make the enemy show his force
was 70 try to cross the ford in our
front. If. this Esucceeded, the enemy
was TO be driven out of his works if
possible: If not. ne would drive US back
across the ford, probably with severe
loss TO our troops Reluctantly, under
these conditions, the division was
organized for the work.
Leading the advance guard, which
consisted of squadron of cavalry, was
Captain Ash. His instructions CON
templated that only his advance guard
should cross 1t was hoped that this
maneuVer would draw the enemy from
behind the breastworks and cause him
/ to display his force. Ash advanced
with his squadron amid the stiffness
of death. The .skirmish firing was
hushed. and the silence which pre-
vailed showed that the enemy was in
tent on keeping us in ignorance of their
numbers, and determined to make US
pay heavily for Information.
The anxiety was intense. We knew
that when the enemy opened fire at
short range our loss would be great
and that the advance guard must be
the first and greatest sufferers. Ash,
with his small command. moved on.
The works in front gloomy silent de-
nuded, seemed deserted. The men
started to cross the ford, and Ash
pushed on ahead. He gained a point
of vantage where. because of a turn in
the river he could see the interior of
the breastworks.
Just then the confederates opened
fire with whitening volley. Suddenly
Ash commanded his squadron to re-
tire, while he, bending forward on his
horses neck. rode at a rapid gallon
along the river bank parallel to the
posite each new part of the works, by
vOlley after volley.
There seemed no hope for him, and
we waited in intense anxiety. On he
kept, in spite of the storm of lead
Then, as he reached a point where his
view of the confederate lines was still
more extended. he IA Used his hat and
waved 1t over his head. 1t was q
signal of triumph.
To our amazement, the confederates
moved by admiration. ceased firing In
stead, they mounted on their breast
works as thick as they could stand
and, throwing their hats into the air.
cheered him again and again. =
Ash refined up his horse, and, turning
toward the confedePates. raised his hat
in a graceful salute. Then he rode
| leisurely into our own lines. amid the
cheers of both sides. He had accom-
| plished the work without the loss of a
| man, and had for himself seen, and
/ displayed to every one else. a full force
| of infantry occupying the confederate
works.
Captain Ash said afterward that he
| had not thought of the scheme of draw
/ ing out the enemyS force until he haC
reached the brink of the river and saw
the great number who occupied the
i works. To go on meant certain death
| the direct line of fire was equally dis
| astrous, and the inspiration to do wha
/ he did suddenly seized him.
| need not say that as we cheered the
] bold rider our hearts went out to the
| generous foe who appreciated AMI
| chivafrously acknowledged d gallant
| act