The National tribune., 1906-01-04


shape his story to suit the facts instead
of shaping the facts to suit the story.
Substantially my war tales are
facts-"driftwood from the stream of
Time, and pebbles from it's shore"
Primarily they are written to recall TO
the old soldier, Federal or Confederate,
memories of bivouac, march and bat
tle-innumerable scenes and incidents
peculiar to the days when he marched
to the music of bugle and drum.
The Passing of Ashby.
$50 ladies in romance assist their
knight,
Present the spear, and arm him for the
fight Pope.
In the Autumn of 1864, after the
death of Morgan, / was with the cav
airy in the Valley of Virginia, where
the Shenandoah, flowing on forever.
murmurs Stonewall Jackson's name. OF
Harrisonburg, gem set in one of the
loyeliest sections of the beautiful val
ley, my memory retains a fond recol-
lection. Neither Sheridan, nor Custer,
nor Torbert, nor Merritt was there, or
thereabout to give us unpleasant recep-
ton. Sheridan's cavalry, however, had
been there, but at the time of which /
write they were far down the Valley
more than twenty miles away"
Some ladies, residents of the then
quiet town, were vOlubly eloquent in
praise of Stonewall Jackson and his
beau sabreur, Gen. Turner Ashby, of
both of whom l had heard much In
song and story. Those fair Valley wo-
men were especially fluent when the
knightly valor of Ashby was the theme
of conversation. To him they gave
'high place in royal court, high place
in battled line" AS described by them
he was handsome man, of command
ing presence, but in voice and manner
gentle as a woman. A long black
plume, gracefully flowing from the
crown of his hat, was his only con-
spicuous military adornment. A SUI
perb horseman, characteristic of the
Virginia gentry, he rode a magnificent
charger.
June 6. 1862, stonewall Jackson
marching from the Valley to reinforce
Lee, passed through Harrisonburg 60
ing toward Cross Keys and Port Re-
public, Ashby's cavalry being i'm the
rear. Fremont was pressing forward
to- overtake Jackson and engage him
IN battle before he should cross the
Shenandoah at Port Republic, toward
which point Shields was marching by
the way of Luray Valley to get in front
of Jackson and dispute his progress
eastward. Seemingly, the redoubtable
Confederate chieftain was in close
place.
At noon on that fateful 9th day Of
youths. was I'm Harrisonburg and be-
yond, awaiting the coming OF the
Pathfinder" Some OF them were in
the houses eating square meals and
whose soft eyes look'd love to eyes
which spake again." Others were rest
iEg I'm the shade OF the trees that lined
the sidewalks of the principal street
Gen Ashby appeared and rode the
length of the long thorOughfare, going
Qr-1 he rys6 afg
glass Of milk from the hand of lady
admirer. Just then shot was heard.
In gentle but clear voice Ashby or
dered the bugie call To arms, The maid
ems and soldier boys. "auld acquaint-
ance neer forgot" were then at the
Parting of the ways. The girls, hand
Ing the boys their temporarily discard
ed guns and sabers, neryously hadc
them 5egone. More shots. fine Buck
Tails" a gallant Penn sylvania regiment
Jtadlng Frentonts advance, were COM
ing. Again there was sound Of Con-
federate bug!e. More shots Forming
Ia column of fOurs. Ashbys troopers
rnarched slowly from the town. falling
lack up0T tiie main body advanta-
eeously posted on the road to Cross
Keys. not far away. AS yet there was
very little confusion, Asnby's cavalry
fden being used to wars alarms The
superb "Bucktails' calamity charged
through the town. and then advanced
more cautiously. fearing an ambush.
Meanwhile the women, within cl ,scd
doors, peeped from, curtained windows
viewing the Spectacular scene, adnliring
the martial appearance of the hand
some 'Buckti.ils. trembling mean
wnile for the fate of their fayorite Vir-
Einians. Very soon they heard the mus
kerry, the noise of the Captains and
the shouting" Just over the hill be-
yond the town tneir gallant frien is
were engaged in desperate combat with
the yalorous Pennsylvanians. Who
would be the victors? The suspense
was trying. the sound OF battle thrilling
and terrifying. Riderless horses came
dashing into town. These were fol-
lowed by wounded men, and here and
there straggler who in his own way
told Of the battle. Then came flying
ramors of the killing of Ashby and the
capture of the intrepid Col. Percy
Wyndham. The reports, discredited at
FIRST, were subsequently confirmed.
That night there was weeping i'm every
house In Harrisonburg-mou for
Ashby. To Stonewall Jackson. on the