The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-05
GEN. AsHBY's-aIIssION.
co.rade Murphy Met tAeARebe, chief
tain Face to Face ard Was Much Inn
pressed by His SOldlSI1y Aprearance.

COAfade Murphy Met the Rebel Chief
tain Face to Face arid Was Much I'm
pressed by His soldasrsy Appearance.
Comrade D. P. MurphN Co. c. asth
ILL.,. writes from Pontiac. Ill.,: Il saw
in The National Tribune Abme time ago
commanded the rebel cavalry in the
Shenandoah Valley. ,Eol. Ashby, or
Gen. Ashby. as this correspondent
wrote, was the first rebel officer knew
by sight. My regiment, ,the 39th ILL.,,
was guarding the B. q Oh Railroad in
the Winter OF 1851 ands1Se2. My COM
pany (C) and Cos. Asand, F were sta
toned at Alpine Station, Va, Just
across the river from Hancock. The
remaining companies oof the regiment
were stationed at other points along
the railroad, some at Bath and some
at Sir Johns Run. Gen. Jackson, on
Jan. 2. 1862. marched from Winchester
and attacked our boys at Bath, driving
them across the Potomac River at Sir
Johns Run. The evening OF Jan. he
attacked our force at Alpine Station.
Jackson's force was estimated at from
$1,000 to 10000 strong. The Union
force at Alpine Station consisted OF
three companies Of the 39th Ill, two
Pennsylvania regiments and a battery
Of U. S. artillery. When Ashby's cav
airy charged into our camp he was
met with a warm reception and driven
back with a loss Of several men. OF
course, the Union forces retreated from
Alpine Station across the river to Han
cock. The rebels shelled the town and
river that night, doing but little dam
age.
1.-The next morning the seth boys
were drawn up in line along the bank
OF the river. trying their new Spring
field rifles on the Johnnies. This was
k1A 4rr hat Ia ~r-> ~
In. While thus engaged q white flag
appeared on the Virginia side OF the
river. Our officers commanded us to
cease firing. as 1t was flag OF truce.
An officer was commanded to met the
flag OF truce, and see what the rebs
wanted.
Nov, there is q dispute as to who
that officer was. Our Historian Of the
regiment says 1t was Lieut.-Col. Mann,
Pontiac, claims he was the officer who
went over and met Col. Ashby and con-
Quoted him to Gen. Lander's headQuar-
ters, where Gen. Jackson demanded
the unconditional surrender of all Of
the Union forces at Hancock. 1t is my
recollection It was Lieut.. Lord, as ]
was very near the landing when the
boat containing Col. Ashby came over,
and I had g. good view OF the rebel
officer before he was blindfolded. 1
remember distinctly what q grand
looking, soldierly officer he appeared.
Lieut.. Lord tells me that he told Col.
Ashby that he did not know much
about war. but he thought the proper
thing was for him to blindfold him be-
fore he took him to the Generals head
quarters, asking him whether he should
use his own handkerchief, OF had he
(Ashby) one he would rather have
used. They finally tied the two CASH
by's and Lord's) together and blind
folded Ashby with them. asked
Lieut.. Lord what became Of his hand
and he says be, has 1t yet.
my regiment had more or less skir-
with Jackson'S men and Ash
bys Cavalry until we were ssent to help
We remember; with sorrow
for ourselves Of Ashbyia active service.
There Is no doubt but Cob Ashby was
an honest and true sol1iersc but on the
wrong side" nj. 70.