Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-03-11
Major Z. IL NaeDonara.

Major T.. H. Mcdonald, formerly OF
this County, but now Of Jefferson, who
commanded company from this sec
ton during the VI ar between the
States. has written to the Baltimore
Sun Of the capture Of Sir Percy Wynd-
ham. an Englishman, who command
ed a regiment of Union troops. Some
controversy has taken place through
the newspapers as TO who effected the
cauture-Jacob Crismaa, of, kernstown
Virginia, claiming 10 have been the
captsrer Major Mcdonald requests
every Confederate soldier who was a
member Of Ashby's Cavalry and pres
ent at the fight mentioned IT, state
through the Review or to write to him
personally his receolections Of this cap
ture. The letter follows:
"Messrs' Editors:--In your issue Of
January Is there is special dispatch
purporting TO give an account of the
capture of Wyndham by Jacob Girls
man OF Kernstown This story is GER
rect only as to the place and date of
the engagement, and [ am not willing
TO let the statement rest uncorrscted.
81 was present at the engagement,
not more than % feet from Wyndham
when he surrendered; and the facts
herein stated are verified by reference
to record prepared by me over 30
years ago.
"Geu. Turner Ashby who command
ed in that engagement had but recent
Iy been made Eigadier-general and
put in command Of all the cavalry at
taehed to the army of Stonewall Jack
son operating in the Valley of Virginia
covering Jackson's retreat from Win
chester, the Federal soldiers under Gen
eral Fremont pressing his rear, and
those under General Shields moving
up the Luray Valley to prevent com
munication with General Lee at Rich
mond. On the night of June 5, the
last that Ashby ever saw Che WIS kill
ed the next day !, many of the men
and officers of his command were
gathered around his bivouac fire, as
was their custom, discussing the in
eidents and skirmishes of the day, the
unusual boldness of the enemy's caval-
ry being explained by information
from the Federal prisoners that their
advance had been led by. Colonel
Wyndman, of the First New Jersey
Cavalry, and that he had Boosted that
he would capture Ashsy and reut his
men within few days At this Ash
by smiled aud. warned his men to be
cautious until they had aegood chan &c
to cross swords with these invaders.
"Early the next morning our pl.k-
cts were drNen In, and the eneun
came dashins into Harrisnnbarg. We
met their charge and drove them hack
and after some heavy skIEInishinE. we
continued our retreat along the Port
Republic road, over which } Jackson
infantry had retired. When ssyen
miles rrom Rarrisonharg Wyndhsm
dashed into our rear, ,aad for o short
time our troeps were throw,. into con
fusion, hut they soon 1allied and 81 eek
ed the advance, oun regiment, then
commended by Col. o. K. FQnsten,
marching near and JSauth of the road.
Ashby coming up to Us, directed Funs-
ten tosmoVe his regiment to the rear,
and attack the enamy's flank which
required crossing several high rail
fences, somewhat mixing ug, the com
papies. When wa crossed the road we
saw the enemy cavalry Termed on p,
hill about 300 yards away. and as VS.
approached them in our charge they
began 10 break away ircm their line
and lun, leaving only Wyndham end
lew men 20 occupy the hill. Ms
mounting from his horse, he came to
meet us, ard we reached him said 81
will not eeka mand such eowardsp and
unclasping his sword held it for sur
mp der. asked Holmes Conrad, OF
Winchester, then private III my COM
mand, 10 take his sword and carry hlra
to the rear, which he did, aud he still
has the sword, the fines. of Damascus
| blades.
ave pursued the enemy, who again
attempted to rally, and captured Major
Rorsch, second III command, German
who had served with distinction in ia,
Climean War, also the celors Of tn,
First Rhode island Cavalry, made
from the wedding dress of Kate Chase
Sprague, W fe of the War Governor o
that state. Returning from that pur