The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18

how the Confederate artillery, with
inferior guns, horses and equipment,
could contend SO successfully against
the superb guns and equipment on
the other side. The answer to this
question can be abundantly found IN
the great number of educated patrlots
who filled the ranks, especially of the
artillery. Such men as were private
soldiers in the Rockbridge Artillery,
the Richmond Howitzers and other
artillery companies could, and did,
overcome the great odds against
them. and snatch splendid victories
from threatened disaster.
Mr.. Moore gives a carefully pre-
! pared roster of the men who served
| in the Rockbridge Artillery, and 1T is
easy to recognize among them many
| who afterwards became efficient ofti-
| GERS, and not a few who have since
| the war been able mn in different
| professions. and most prominent and
useful citizens-lawyers doctors. pro-
| fessors. preachers and business men.
| In a word Mr.. Moore has given us a
book of deep interest and real historic
value, which should find place in our
| Libraries and homes.
| LIFE OF GENERAL TURNER ASHBY.
| BY Clarence Thomas. Introduction
by j. VIM. Jones.
| Turner Ashby. "the Knight of the
Valley was unquestionab'y one of
the most romantic characters of the
war.
Like Nathan Bedford Forrest, John
b. Gordon, Stirling Price, Wade Hamp-
ton. John III. Morgan and others. who
never having received a military edu-
cation. yet. rose to high rank and wide
reputation, Turner Ashby left the
quiet pursuits of civil life and be-
came one of the most distinguished
soldiers who made our great struggle
for constitutional freedom.
He had been widely known in North
ern Virginia as heightened gentle
, man, a superb rider, and a successful
contestant at the tournaments of his
day, and had raised a volunteer cav
: airy company of which he had beer
made captain. which did important
service in the John Brown raid.
He was, as were large majority
of our Virginia people. and ardent
Union man. warmly In favor of doing
, everything possible to, preserve the
Union. and the Constitution which our
fathers made.
But when Mr.. Lincoln in violation
, of the Constitutio and his oath to
support it. called for seventy five
!, thousand men to coerce sovereign
States who had simply exercised theii
Cod given right Of f-government,'
and called on Virginia to furnish hel
quota, brave old John Letcher, the
Governor of the State. replied: "Sot
. can get no troops from Virginia fol
any such wicked purpose. You have
, chosen to inaugurate civil war" The
Virginia convention then in session
passed on the 18th of April. 1861. al
ordinance of secession withdrawing
the Old Dominion from the Union. ant
/ resuming the powers she had express
! ly preserved" when she originally rati
fed the Constitution. and joined tn
republic of republics"
II 1t was, of course, we'll known tina
, in this unholy war which Abraham
: | u.incoln and his coadjutors had In
augurated, Virginia had barred hel
breast to the coming storm--that sh
/ was to be '.the Flanders of the war
that her soil was to be the first over
j, run, and that her sons and daughter
: were to be the greatest sufferers. An
s yet her people did not hesitate. Co
a John b. Baldwin, the able leader o
o the Uiion party in the Virginia con
vcnton, expressed the general sen
n timent OF our people when, In repl
h to a letter from Il friend at the Mort
g asking what are the Union men c
n Virginia going to do now?" he wrote
S I'VE have no Union men in Virgini
: now. but those who We're Union mel
:, will stand to their guns, and max
I. a fight which will shine out on til
+, page of history as an> example of whs
II brave people can do after eXhaustin
II every means of pacification." And
d Robert Edward Lee, and Joseph ]
Y Johnston, and Stonewal Jackso
is and j. L. B. Stuart. an
If a. p. Hill, and Jubal A. EARLY. ar
ID II, s.. Ewell. and Fitz Lee, and w. !