Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-05-25
4 DARING RIDE.
Feat of Union Officer That Won Con-
federate Cheers.

federste Cheers.
One morning in February, said Gen
eral Wesley Merritt, my division OF
cavalry started with instructions to
discover the extent of Lees forces on
the Rspidan without bringing on a
general engagement. In due time we
found ourselves face 70 face with the
enemy and the river between. A live
ly sklrmish with small. arms began.
but the result was Insignificant. The
enemy declined TO show force beyond
what was necessary to engage our
Skirmish line The breastworks were
long and formidable, but whether they
were occupied by few or many soldiers
our ingenious plans failed to discover
1t was finally decided that the only
way to make the enemy show force
was to try to cross the ford in our
front. If this succeeded, the enemy
was to be driven out Of his works II
possible; II not, he 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 eustd
should cross. II was hope,Hhat i.s
maneuver would draw the enemy fi-,ii.
behind the breastworks AMI cHus,c a..
to display his force. Ash advance.
with his squadron amid the stil.Ecs,
Of death. The skirmish firing WAS
huShed, anC the silence which prevail
ed showed that the enemy was intent
on keeping us in ignorance Of its
numbers and determined to make US
pay heavily for Information.
The anxiety was intense. We knew
that when the enemy opened lire al
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 mel
started to cross the ford. and Ash
pushed on ahead. He gained n pOin
Of vantage where. because of turn
in the river, he could see the interio
, Of the breastworks.
Just then the Confederates opened
fire with whitening volley. Sudden
T ly Ash commanded his squadron TO re
treat. while he, bending forward Of
; his horses neck rode at a rapid gallo
| along the river bank parallel to tn
breastworks, followed. as he came OF
, poSite each new part OF the works
r with vOlley after volley.
, There seemed no hope for him, an
t We waited in intense anxiety. On h
t kept in spite OF the storm OF lea,
b. Then, as he reached a point where h
8 view Of the Confederate lines was sti
. more extended. he raised his hat an
waved it over his head. 1t was
signal Of triumph.
To our amaZement the Confederate
moved by admiration. ceased firm
Instead, they mounted on their breas
works as thick as they could star
and. throwing their hats into the a
cheered him again and again.
Ash refined up his horse and. tur
, ing toward the Confederates. rails
his hat in a graceful salute. Then
rode leisurely into our own lin,
amid the cheers Of both sides. /
D had accomplished the work witho
the loss Of man and had for hi
self seen and displayed to every o
q else full force OF infantry occupyi
the Confederate works.
Captain Ash said afterward that
had, not thought OF the scheme
/ drawing out the enemy's force until
hn itaE ~ q,
and seen the great number who oc,
pied the works. To 20 on meant Q
tain death to many Of his commal
to retreat in the direct line OF
was equally disastrous. and the
SEPARATION to act suddenly seized hin