The Tupelo journal., 1913-05-16

Richard fingers a few days and is bur-
led near the town of Romney. At the
grave of his brother, Ashby. almost ov-
ercome by grief breaks his brothers
sword and drops it on the coffin. He
lifts his eyes to Heaven, then casting
one parting look on his beloved brother
quickly mounts his horse and rides
away.
This death changes our brave hero
considerably. Drawer he could not be-,
but from now on his gaiety is gone,
and a habitual sad expression is on his
face. Henceforth he considers his
life not his own but his country's, and
becomes more reckless than ever. He
often contemplates the sacrifice of his
life in this cause. Many Federals en-
terrain a superstitious dread of him
for they consider him bullet proof.
In October he receives a joyful COM
mand. T. ]. Jackson has been assigned
to the Valley, and Ashby is to take
command of the Cavalry. jackson
already at Winchester is planning his
campaigns. Ashby becomes very much
attached to the General and IS soon
made Colonel. His faith in
that mar is so great that he is often
heard to remark, II would follow him,
or 90 wherever he commanded, without
knowing anything except that it was
Stonewall Jackson's ORDER
On the 1st of January, 1862, he sets
out with jackson to Bath, the County
seat of Morgan. His men suffer from
the cold, but, after a short skirmish by
the advance, the Federals retreat to
Hancock. Our daring Colonel is sent
thither to command the surrender of
General Lander. AS he is led blind
| fold through the streets, he hears the
Federals who have collected about him
| exclaiming THAT is the famous Colonel
Ashby!" Lander refuses to surrender,
so the C~onfederates cannonade the
town. They soon drive every Federal
from the place.
Jackson pushes on to Romney.
Ashby, ever the first to reach a place,
finds the town deserted. The Federals
having hastily reiterated leaving valua-
BILE stores and needful supplies behind.
Jackson establishes his headquarters at
Winchester on January Oath, while
Ashby is holding the line of the Poto-
mac from Harper's Ferry Westward.
In March Jackson's famous Valley
Campaign begins. Banks, with an
enormous army is near Winchester.
Twice Jackson attempts to engage
him in battle, but Ashby and his cay
airy display such boldness and activity
as to deceive the Federals into think
ing Jackson's force larger thanit is. So
fearing his position, Jackson e~vacuates
Winchester. Banks enters the town.
Our ever fighting Cavalier keeps that
Federal General so busy protecting his
rear that he is unable to follow up the
retreat of Jackson. From Strasburg
to Jackson he is as usual the Sentinel
of the Confederate army. He reports
that there are only four Federal regi-
ments at Winchester, Jackson follow
ing Asby who is already at Kernstown,
three miles from Winchester. Sunday
March 23d, Jackson discovers that for
once his sentinel is mistaken. Shields
whole division, nine thousand strong is
at Winchester! In the battle that fol-
lows Ashby, spurred on by the thought
of his mistake, renders effective SER
vice on the right, but the Federals
push u forces from the field. Ashby
watches Banks like a hawk, and causes
the Confederate retreat to be a contin-
uous artillery brawling and picket
stalking GA the rear But more i'm
portant than anything he guards the
turnpike better than any man was ever
known to, and keeps the enemy from
breaking through his lines to Jackson's
main line.
Jackson is at Rude's Hill, e MI.
Jackson, during the first part of April.
Ashby's Cavalry is eve increasing and
soon numbers two thousand. 1t is very
disorderly and Of little use. Jackson,
knowing his ignorance of discipline,
attemps to force it to the rear, but Mr..
BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, dazzled
by our hero's daring exploits, gives
him authority to raise and command an
independent cavalry. This is a mis-
take, and sad to relate, Ashby's caval-
ry is unorganized and roams about the
country for good times.
Jackson pushes on to the valley of
Mcdowell. Here he encounters the
Federals. During the battle u watch
full Colonel with Captain Hotchkiss, is
blocking the passes through which