Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-02-21
Called Forth Enemy's Cheers.
IYouth.s Colnpnmion.l

river. The union forces under Meade
occupied the country across the river.
General Merritt was then II cavalry
commander, and the cavalry was al
ways busy making circumstances, al
though the severity Of the weather had
suspended other operations General
Merritt tells this story:
One morning in February my divis-
ion of cavalry started with instructions
to discover the extent of the enemy S
force ON the Radipan, without bringing
on a general engagement In due Tune
we found ourselves face to face with
the enemy, and the river between. a
lively sl>irrnish with small arms began,
but the result WAS insignificant. The
enemy declined to show force beyond
what was necessary to engage with our
sl<ir,nisls line. The breastworks were
long aud 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 to try to cross the ford In our
front If this succeeded, the enemy
was to be driven out of his works 1f
possible: if not he would drive us back
across the ford, probably with severe
loss to our troops. Reluctantly, under
these conditions, the division was or
ganized for the work.
Leading the advance guard, which
consisted of a squadron of cavalry,
Was Captain Ash. His instructions
contaminated that only his advance
guard should cross. 1t was hoped that
ii u1u
from behind the bresltworks and cause
him to display his force. Ash advanced
with his squadron amid the stiffness of
death. The skirmish firing was hush-
ed and the silence which prevailed
showed that the enemy was intent on
Keeping us in ignorance of their num-
beers and determined to make us pay
heavily for the information
The anxiety was intense. we knew
that when the enemy opened IRE at
short range our loss would be great
and that the advance guard must be
the first and greatest sufferers. Asp
with his ssmall command moved on.
The works in front gloomy, silent, de-
nuded, seemed deserted. The men
started to cross the ford, and Ash push
ed on ahead. He gained point Oh
vantage where, because of turn III the
river. he could see the interior OF the
breatworks.
Just then the colfederates opened
fire with a whitening volley. Sudden
Nv Ash commanded his squadron to re-
tire. while he, bending forward on MS
horses back rode ut a rapid galloP
along the river bank parallel to the
breastworks, followed as he came op-
posite each new part OF the WORKS.
by volley after volley.
There seemed no hope for him, ana
we waited in intense anxiety. On he
kept in spite of the storm of lead. Iheh
as he reached u point where his view
of the conferedate lines was still more
extended he raised his hat, and waved
it over his head. 1t was a signal Of
triumph.
To our amazemen., the confederates,
moved by admiration, ceased firing. III
stead they mounted their breastworks
as thick as they could stand, ana
throwing their hats into the air, cheer
ed him again and again.
Ash refined up his horse, and, turn
ing toward the cOnfederates, raised
his hat in a graceful salute. Then he
rode leisurely into our own lines, anna
the cheers of both sides. He had ac-
complished the work without the loss
of a man, and had for himself seen,
and displayed to everyone else, full
force of infantry occupying the confed-
crate works.
Captain Ash said afterward that he
had not thought of the scheme of draw
ing out the enemy's force until he had
reached the brink OF the river and saw
the great number who occupied the
works. To go on meant certain death
to many of his command; to retreat IN
the line of fire was equally disastrous
and the Inspiration to do what he did
suddenly seized him
1 need not say that as we cheered
the bold rider our hearts went out to
the generous foe WAC appreciated ana
chivalrously acknowledged gallant
act