Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-08-08

monument at Lexington last month
should be ernbalned in the archives Of
our local history. it is our intention to
reproduce It IN these columns. We feel
sure that our readers will enjoy the
splendid tribute to his Chief Of one who
made hew's Battery Immortal
THE EDITOR.
Continued from last week.
A Warm Retort.
That evening, jackson halted and
dismounted at the campfire of the
Horse Artillery, and stood gazing into
the fire. 1t was a cold night, and a
fire felt comfortable. A member Of
the Company who had some reputation
for curiosity. after watching the Gem
|eral for some time. said to him. Gem
eral, we had very hot time to-day. !"
General jackson, fixing upon him his
piercing eyes, said deliberately, Yes,
sir, but you can expect much warmer
time tomorrow 1900 men were
killed and wounded in this battle, about
equally divided. The enemy captured
two guns, and several hundred prison
ers.
jackson was dissatisfied with the
conduct OF General Garnett. He had
ordered his troops to retire without
notifying his Commander. He was
preparing to envelope the right flank
Of the enemy and always insisted had
Garrett held his position a little longer,
and, if necessary, given the enemy the
bayonet, he would have won the battle.
John Esten Cooke is authority for the
statement that Ashby told Colonel Pat
ton an order had been sent from Win
chester for the Federal army to retire.
and that that order was received few
minutes after our lines broke. He
placed General Garnett under arrest.
The sympathy of the officers and men
generally seemed to be with Garnett.
He was a gallant officer and beloved by
his men. Later he was tried and unan-
imously acquitted. He fell gallantly
leading charge at Gettysburg. This
action of General Jackson rendered him
unpopular for some time with his army.
His conduct was considered harsh, but
after Jackson wonderful fight at
Second Manassas and later at Antie-
tam, where he held his own against over
whelming numbers. it would seem the
time would hardly ever arrive when
an officer should retire without orders
from his superior. Although our troops
were repulsed at Kearnstown, the bat
tie had an excellent effect. 1t was not
believed with 5000 men, jackson would
be bold enough to assail Shields, and
| Williams Division was Immediately
ordered back to Winchester.
Washington Scared,
Mr.. Lincoln, who was always in
trepidation about the capture of the
capitol, strengthened the forces around
Washington. Mcdowell, with 10000
men was posted at Fredericksburg
and General Banks was sent to the
Valley to confront jackson, who r.
tired slowly, pursued by the enemy.
Ashby fought them with his guns at
every turn. and harassed and annoyed
their advance in every conceivable way
General H. G Gordon, of Massachu-
sets, comrade of Jackson at West
Point. pursued with great Evigor. The
Brigade commanded by this officer,
and that commanded by General Tyler,
gave us a great deal of trouble on
many occasions. They were able sol
diers, and both Brigades were made uE
of gallant men. General Banks who
was constantly fearful of attack hac
visions of large re endorsements from
Johnston,s army. He renewed his pur
suit about the first of April and drove
Ashby's cavalry back to the vicinity o
Edinburg. Banks army and Ashby'l
cavalry remained confronting each 9th
! er at Edinburg for over three weeks
Ashby was skirmlshing frequently dur
J ing each day, harassing the enemy wit
his artillery. Jackson's camp wa
about six miles in the rear. Will
) there, he often rode 70 the front, an
upon one occasion met Colonel Ashby
and dismounting held q consultatio
with him and proceeded to write dll
Z patch.
!, Unconscious of Danger.
: A shell burst Immediately in front {
them, and when the smoke cleare,
those present expected to see the
j, dead or wounded, but both escaped III
j, hurt. A few minutes afterwards. Gel
II eral jackson rode up hill where Il
It guns were in action, and approachir
close to where / was sitting, ] co
graduated him on his escape. He +
piled quickly. "What is that. sir
What is that, sir" ? / then explain
" to him that / had heard shell explod
Ia front of where he stood with Colon
= Ashby, and that they were in immine
4 danger. He replied; 1T is the first
a. have heard of It. sir. Ii Is tho first