VALE UNIVERSITV LIBRARY

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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

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THE MEMOIES

GENERAL TURNER ASHBY

HIS COMPEERS.

BY
Eev. JAMES B. AVIEETT,
' (chaplain ashby cavalry,)

AND OTHER OFFICERS OF THB ARMY OF NORTHERN
VIRGINIA, C. S. A.

" The close relation which General Ashby bore to my command for most of the previoua
twelve months, will justify me in saying, that, as a partisan officer, I never knew his su
perior. His daring was proverbial, his potvers of endurance almost incredible, his tone
of character heroic, and his sagacity almost Intuitive in diviuiug tbe purposes and more-
ments of the enemy."— X*.- Gen. T. J. Jackson's Offlcial Report.

BALTIMORE:
SELBY & DULANY.
18 67.

Entered according to Act of CongreBB, in the year 1867, by
SELBY & DULANY,
in the Clerk's OfBce of the District Court of the United States for the
District of Maryland.

p^iritatixru.

TO
VIRGINIA, UNDIVIDED AND INDIVISIBLE,
AND TO
HER NOBLE WOMEN,
MOBE ESPECIALLY
THOSE IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY,
IN DEFENCE 01' WHOSE HOMES THIS
GAVE HIS LIFE,
THESE MEMOIRS ARE DEDICATED,
WITH THE SINCEREST HOPE THAT ASHEY's LOFTY HEROISM
MAY BE EMULATED BY THE KISINQ GENERATION
OF THE WHOLE SOUTH. (iii)

TO THE READER.

^OMEWHERE in his Wilhelm Meister, the great
^ German writer, Goethe, has said that " The ten
dency of human nature to debase itself is so strong,
that it is a duty we owe to ourselves to hear some
good music, to read a little beautiful poetry, or to
look upon a fine picture at least once a day, in order
to preserve a true love of refinement." Had the
Fatherland in the day of Goethe presented to the
admiring gaze of the world such a character as that of
Ashby, doubtless his magic pen would have embalmed
it for the posterity of the people whom he so fondly
loved, on the principle indicated in the extract just
given. In this material age the idea is rapidly gaining
ground that chivalry is effete, and has no actual
existence other than on the pages of the poet or
novelist. This is very far from being true. Pend
ing the four years of blood through which our people
have passed, upon nearly every battle-field there were
(V)

vi INTRODVOTORY.
exhibitions, and not a few, of eveiy principle which
enters into the formation of chivalrie character.
What says the scoffer at chivalry in the Nineteenth
Century to the grand bearing of Gen. Lee and his
army in the Invasive Campaign of 1862, when a
whole army, under the influence of their noble leader,
reflecting the true instincts of Southern character,
though fresh from the galling spectacle of burning
barns, plundered mansions, devastated estates, and
insulted women, along the line of march from Gor
donsville to the Potomac, failed to confound war
with rapine and arson, but rose to the full apprecia
tion of a soldier's duty — to war only on men under
arms ? How proud are our people of the conduct of
that army ! We are not more jealous and watchful
of that page of history upon which is written the
splendid exhibition of Southern prowess and military
skill connected with the battle of Sharpsburg, than
are we of the ability upon the part of Southern sol
diery, though in the rich and teeming valleys of
Pennsylvania, to bear themselves like men of arms
should do, abstaining from retaliation, and thus gain
ing a great moral victory in doing good for evil ; or
rather affording irrefragable proof that the principle
of chivalry is still alive. True it is that materialism
may smother it, avarice may stifle it, and the spirit
of false refinement and progress may deride it ; but

INTBODUCTORV. vii
ill despite of all these agencies, either demoniacal or
puritanical, there still exists in this broad land of
ours, not confined to either section, the spirit of
elevated courage, deference for woman, sensitiveness
to the suggestions of honor and duty, which cannot
well be distinguished from the most critical definition
of chivalry. We claim that there was on the part
of the Southern people, during the late struggle, an
exhibition not only of much undaunted prowess, but
also of the same prowess connected with honor which
constitutes chivalry. We claim that fche subject of
this Memoir was, of all the Southern braves who
yielded up their lives, a Nation's Sacrifice, the Ca
valier "without fear and without reproach." We
claim for General Ashby, in an influence upon the
youth of the South, the right, though dead, to speak
to those whose footfalls shall press the rocks of his
native mountains, and the hoofs of whose steeds
shall sink in the soil of Southern valleys, and tell
them how to be brave yet gentle, heroic yet gallant,
unswerving in the performance of duty, yet cour--
teous. Thus impressed with the character of Gen. Ashby,
at the instance of the survivors of the brigade which
still cherishes his memory, and more particularly at
the request of his family, the writer has compiled from
a variety of sources — official p5,pers, contemporary

viii INTRODVOTORY.
narratives, his own diary, filled up from memory, of
the events treated of — the following pages. The
central Figure in this group of Southern officers is
from my own pen; that of Lieut.-Colonel Thomas
Marshall was prepared by E. T. Barton, Esq., At
torney at Law, Winchester, Va.; — that of Col. A.
W. McDonald, by Capt. Wm. McDonald, Principal
of "Cool Spring" School, Clarke County, Va.; —
that of Major S. Myers, by an officer of Chew's Bat
tery of Horse Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
Dunbar Female Seminary,! .,.,,„„ „ . „^ 
WmoKe^ter, Va., J^^BS B. AVIRETT,
January 12th, 1867. ^^ Chaplam C. S. A.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAQB
Parentage and Education. Character . . . .15
CHAPTER II.
The John Brown Raid, and Ashby's Views of it . . 49
CHAPTER in.
Secession, and the part Ashby took in it . . . 65
CHAPTER IV.
Organization of the Ashby Command. Its First Move
ment. Death of Richard Ashby. Fight on Kelly's
Island. Col. Ashby's Grief . . . . .90
CHAPTER V.
Battle of Manassas. Battle of Bolivar Heights.
Scouting on the Border. Dam No. 5 . . . . 117
CHAPTER VI.
Bath Campaign. Bomney  136
CHAPTER VIL
Battle op Kernstown. First Retreat .... 151
CHAPTER VIII.
Swift Run Gap. " Stonewall" Jackson and Ashby . 166
CHAPTER IX.
Battle of Winchester. Banks's Races .... 183
(ix)

x CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. P*""
Second Retreat. Shields. Fremont . . • ¦ "^'
CHAPTER XI.
Ashby's Last Skirmish. Death. Burial . . . 217
CHAPTER XII.
Reinterment in "Stonewall Cemetery." General Re
marks. Conclusion  235

SKETCH OF THE ASHBY (LAUREL) BRIGADE, A. N.V. 261
SKETCH OF CHEW'S BATTERY. Ashby (Laurel)
Brigade, A. N. V  267
MEMOIR OF LIEUT.-COLONEL THOMAS MARSHALL,
7th Virginia Cavalry, A. N. V  276
MEMOIR OF COLONEL A. W. MoDONALD . . .318
MEMOIR OF MAJOR SAMUEL B. MYERS, 7th Virginia
Cavaley, Ashby Brigade  860
MEMOIR OF CAPT. GEORGE F. SHEETZ, Ashby Bri
gade, A. N. V  372
MEMOIR OF BRIG.-GENERAL WILLIAM E. JONES,
Ashby (Laurel) Brigade  383
APPENDIX  395

MEMOIR OF
GENERAL TURNER ASHBY.
(xi)

LINES
IN MEMORY OF
GENEEAL TUENER ASHBY.
[by a keiohboe.*]
THE mane upon thy charger's crest.
The raven beard upon thy brea.st,
No more shall mingle look with lock,
Like streamers, in the battle-shock.
Thy valiant hand no more shall feel
Within its. grasp the gleaming steel;
And ne'er again shall battle-cry
Nerve thine arm or light thine eye;
Nor dashing charge, nor contest brave.
Arouse thee from thine honored grave.
But while thy native mountains loom.
In misty blue about thy home.
Shall Ashby's fame, in battle won.
Descend in pride from sire to son.
Valiant, kindly, knightly, pure.
Lustrous as the steel he wore.
Shall woman's lips delight to tell
The name of him who nobly fell.
And left on earth no other stains.
But those that dropped from bleeding veins.
In after-years, some shaft may rise.
To mark the spot where Ashby lies ;
But Ashby's name now wakes a thrill.
That bronze or marble never will.
* Dr. R. C. Ambler, of Fauquier CoiiDty, Va.
2 (13)

THE MEMOIRS

GENERAL TURNER ASHBY.

CHAPTER I.
PARENTA GE AND EARLY LIFE.
WHEN the great master of romance. Sir Walter
Scott, furnished to the world his incomparable
"Ivanhoe," and to the Tournament therein described
gave the name, as quoted by him from the old records,
of the "Gentle and Joyous Passage of Arms of
Ashby," he little thought that before the ivy ceased
to wind its tendrils around the marble column mark
ing the spot where the casket once containing his
joyous, loving spirit is now crumbling away into its
primal dust, the name of Ashby should live in the
hearts of a whole people as the synonym of all we
associate with chivalry. Marked as is the coinci
dence, it is none the less true that the same warm, out-
gushing feeling of enthusiasm and joyous interest with
which we read of Ivanhoe as the successful knight
at the Tournament of Ashby-de-la-Zouche, is rekin
dled and pleasantly indulged as we think of the subject
of this memoir. Sir Walter's was, to a great extent,
(15)

10 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
the child of his own genius, but our Ashby was a
living reality in all that constitutes the peerless cava
lier, and the impersonation of those knightly qualities
of mind and heart, which will go down to posterity,
as so aptly delineated on the pagas of "Waverley."
With the name of Ashby, to the readers of " Ivanhoe,"
there is associated all that was beautiful and com
mendable in knight-errantry ; to the Southern people
and their posterity we would have it that a lively
interest should be excited to know our Ashby; fresh
impulses afforded to study closely his character, and
on the battle-fields of the yet unsettled Future, to
show the world that God, in his dealings with man,
does not furnish suoh development of character to no
purpose, but in order that men should emulate him
in all that has won him his imperishable fame.
Col. Turner Ashby, the father of the subject of
this memoir, was the son of John and Mary Ashby,
of Fauquier County, Va. After the war of 1812, in
which he served with credit to himself. Col. Ashby
settled down in his native county and devoted hira
self to the duties of a merchant, in which business
he seems to have succeeded very well. His field of
operations proving too narrow for his enterprising
business qualities, he determined to remove to Alex
andria, which was in the enjoyment of a fine back-
country trade, and was then as now the emporium of
the Piedmont counties of Virginia. He became a
member of the firm of Ashby & Stribling; and suc
ceeding finely in business, sought and obtained the
hand and heart of Miss Dorothea F., daughter of

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 17
James and Elizabeth P. Green, of Eappahannock
County, Va. They were married about the year
1820, and resided for some time in the city of Alex
andria. About the year 182-3, the Colonel's health
being delicate, he determined to try the eifect of a
voyage across the Atlantic; accordingly, he and Mrs.
Ashby went to Madeira, and thence to Gibraltar,
where they passed some six months. Returning to
Alexandria, the Colonel determined to change his
business relations, and winding up his alfairs in
that city, removed to his native county, Fauquier,
and among the hills and valleys of his boyhood's
home settled himself for life — residing for a while at
" Springfield." On the death of Mr. Faver, an uncle
by marriage of Mrs. Ashby, he came in possession of
"Rose Bank," an estate adjoining that of "Spring
field." General Turner Ashby was born at "Rose
Bank," on the 23d of October, 1828, being the third
of six children, viz.: Elizabeth, born 4th of July,
1825; James Green, born 13th of July, 1827; Tur
ner, born 23d of October, 1828; Mary, born 26th
of June, 1830; Richard, born 2d of October, 1831;
Dorothea F., born 15th of November, 1835.
Beranger, the great lyric poet of the French, re
flecting the sentiment of Sir Philip Sidney, has said
that he cared not who made the laws for a people, so
he was allowed to write their national songs, which
mould the French children in the nursery. Truly it
was shown what a mighty hold this great ballad-
writer had upon the affections of the French people,
when, amid their revolutions, his songs were not

18 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
allowed to be sung in the streets of Paris, because
they moved the popular heart too deeply in the chan
nel of patriotic devotion to country. May it not be
said, with equal force, that the physical surroundings
of infancy and youth have much to do in determining
character, all other things being equal? It would
seem so in the case of Gen. Ashby. "Rose Bank,''
the homestead of the Ashbys, (now a heap of black
ened ruins,) was situated on a beautiful eminence,
near the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, in what is
most appropriately called the Piedmont country, and
was surrounded by wild and picturesque scenery. At
the foot of the eminence on which it stood, and in
full view, ran Goose Creek, a dashing, sparkling
mountain stream, just breaking away from the moun
tains above, among which it rises. These mountains
were filled with deer and wild turkeys, ever tempting
the boys to indulge in the invigorating sports of the
field. The father of Gen. Ashby was the man of all
others who would exercise a powerful infiuence over
his children ; but when Turner was just beginning to
take on character, in his sixth year, the father was
called upon to pay Nature's greatest and last debt, and
his remains were followed to the grave by his sorrow
ing household. Col. Ashby had been an ofiicer in
the war of 1812, and during his military life had
kept a diary, which was the constant companion
of his son Turner as soon as he was able to read.
From it, more than from any other source, save his
mother, he leai'ned his father's chai-acter, and many

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 19
of the paternal views and traits were refiected in his
subsequent life. The study of this diary tauglit him,
when he became an officer, to regard and treat his pri
vates as fellow-beings entitled to love, respect, and
sympathy. Upon the Colonel's death, the whole charge of the
household devolved upon the mother, who, by nature
and education, was fully equal to this responsible trust.
Mrs. Ashby, in whom a taste for literature and
flowers predominated, soon collected a fine library,
and by persevering industry and care covered "Rose
Bank" with a profusion of flowers and rare shrub
bery. But whilst she was careful to make their home
as beautiful and attractive as possible, she by no
means neglected the cultivation of the minds and
hearts of her children. She took care to employ
good teachers in her family, and whilst their minds
were cultivated under all the happy safeguards of
home, was not less careful of their physical education ;
her boys were taught, like the young Medes in the
days of Cyrus, to ride, to shoot, and to speak the
truth. As a child, Gen. Ashby was not promising in
appearance, being small of stature, and inheriting the
dark complexion of the Greens through his mother.
In his habits he was retiring and reserved, grave and
thoughtful, but with a manly and unselfish spirit,
ever ready to stand up in defence of the weak, or to
resent an injustice done either to himself or to his sis
ters or brothers; his devotion to his mother was un
bounded, and he always considered the honor and in
terest of each member of his family as his own. He

20 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIF E,
was fond of books, and generally preferred history.
It was the custom of Mrs. Ashby to gather her
household around her, and pass the evening in read
ing some well selected volume, the group passing the
book from one to the other, thus heightening the in
terest and increasing the general benefit. It has been
mentioned that Mrs. Ashby afforded her children
every advantage of education within her power. It
has been a custom in many families in the South to
employ teachers from the North, and among those
thus employed at "Rose Bank," was a brother of
Judge John C. Underwood, of evil fame and name.
As the children grew older, they were sent away to
school, but so admirably had the mother succeeded in
making home and its pleasures attractive, especially
to Turner, that she found great difficulty in inducing
him to remain abroad. His local attachments were
very strong, and no Swiss peasant ever loved his
mountain cot more ardently than did this young Vir
ginian his own "Rose Bank." At length, Mrs. Ash
by placed him at school at Major Ambler's, in the
neighborhood, where he became very fond of his
teacher and schoolmates. His generous, unselfish
disposition soon won him the admiration and affec
tion of the band of noble youths here at school,
among whom may be mentioned the Amblers, Strib-
lings, and Marshalls, and there grew up a friendship
which was as unfading as the laurel on the neighbor
ing mountains. One of these very schoolmates, in
a letter to the writer, says : " Gen. Ashby, as a boy,
was remarkable for his contempt of danger, and his

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 21
freedom from the vices common among boys ; he was
never known to swear, or to use profane language.
His contempt of danger was exhibited nearly every
day ; whenever the creek was swollen by heavy rains,
he might be seen in it, breasting the torrent above
the waterfalls, where a failure would- dash him to
pieces on the rocks below ; whenever a colt was found
too wild and vicious to be ridden by any one else in
the neighborhood, it was his pleasure to mount and
tame him. In combats with his schoolfellows, whilst
he was always brave and stubborn in the fight, after
it was over he was always ready to forgive and
forget." Richard, his younger brother, was his constant
companion, and the boys were taught at home
to love each other very tenderly. Turner, as the
elder, would watch over his brother with almost
maternal care, would side with him in all his diffi
culties, and, if it came to blows, would insist upon
fighting for him, though Richard would object to this,
as he thought himself fully able to fight his own
battles. In the formation of his character, happily
blending gentleness with manliness, ( but another name
for chivalry,) his sister informs the writer that when
he would return from school, he would take great
pleasure in joining the girls in their in-door sports,
kindly arranging their playthings and doll-houses
with his own hands, and "was always doing some kind
act to make us love him." At an early age, a sin
gularly pleasing trait of character was developed —
perfect unselfishness. A little incident in the life at

22 PARE NTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
Rose Bank will illustrate this. Turner, indulging
his boyish taste for pets, had managed to secure a
wolf, which soon became very fond of him. Soon,
perceiving that " Lupus " was the terror of the chil
dren in the neighborhood, he gave up his pet, deter
mining that his little friends should not be alienated
from him by any selfish indulgence.
Among the earliest tastes which he developed, was
that of a passionate fondness for horses, and he liked
to have the entire control of his own. As he scarcely
remembered the time when he could not ride, so
upon growing older he became marked as the best
and boldest rider among a circle of youths all of
whom were good horsemen, whether trial of horse
manship were made at the tournament, hurdle-race,
or fox-chase.
It will be borne in mind that the Cavaliers who
settled Virginia faithfully transmitted to their pos
terity, among much that was noble, some objectionable
tastes and customs. Among them, few were more
unobjectionable than fox-hunting; aside from the
waste of time and neglect of business consequent
upon its indulgence, it was healthful, invigorating,
and free from many ofthe worst featm-es of other
kinds of sport common in the South twenty-five or
thirty years ago. Young Ashby was very fond ofthe
chase, which frequently led him many miles from home.
As a gentle, unobtrusive lad, he is still remembered
by the older persons residing in Fauquier, but better
by the younger as the singularly daring and fearless
rider who led the hunt, ever as glad to welcome the

PARENTA GE AND EARL Y LIFE.

23

ringing notes of the hunting-horn, awakening the
echoes of the hills at early dawn, and summoning its
lovers to a day of sport, as he was to catch the first
notes of reveille, in later days, summoning him to
combat and to glory.
From this life of ease and enjoyment he was called
to go forth and look at men and things from a stand
point hitherto unknown to him. The shattered con
dition of Mrs. Ashby's fortune necessitated the sale
of her estate, and the delightful circle was broken up
and the fires upon the hospitable hearth-stone of
"Rose Bank" went out forever. Sad as was the
trial to all, duty had but to point the way to this
household, and they unhesitatingly stepped into the
rugged path. To give up one's home at any time
involves much privation and self-denial, but to this
family it was a sorrow deep and lasting ; for the love
which the surviving members of the family yet bear
old " Rose Bank," as they still call it, is very touch
ing and beautiful, although nearly a score of years has
passed since they moved away and made their home
in Stafford, a neighboring county. Mrs. Ashby, about
the year 1863, sold "Rose Bank" to Mr. Ed. C. Mar
shall, a son of the late Chief Justice of the United
States, who changed its name to " Markham," whence
the name of Markham Station, on the Manassas Gap
Railroad. A few years before, her daughter Dora
had married Mr. Powhatan Moncure, and Mary, Mr.
George Moncure, brothers, living in Stafford. With
the latter, Mrs. Ashby made her home during the
remainder of her life. Richard bought a farm near

24 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
his mother, upon which he lived for some years.
But Turner seemed disinclined to leave his old neigh
borhood. That old family mansion, where mirth
and gladness reigned, which for weeks at a time
had been filled with gay company, was the dearest
spot on earth to him. "The young men following
the hounds during the day, and spending the evenings
in whist-playing, dancing, and acting charades and
tableaux with the ladies," is the description of the
mode of life in this neighborhood at this time, as it
came from the pen of an actual participant. Not un
like the eagle swooping for days around the spot
where its nest had been destroyed, did the young
Ashby continue to hover around the home of his
youth, until, an opportunity presenting itself, he pur
chased a farm within rifle's range and full view of
the old residence. He named his new home "Wolf's
Crag," and here he lived until called to take his place
in the lists of Death.
At Wolf's Crag his attention was divided between
his farm and merchandising. Though never an ex
travagant man, his liberality was so great that he
added but little to his slender fortune, seemingly act
ing on the wise maxim, "Give me neither poverty
nor riches." Called upon at this time to select the
political party with which he would act and vote, to
his mind it was plain that the weight of conservatism
lay with the Whigs of that day, and with that party
he co-operated as long as it was in existence. To the
development and growth of such opinions, whatever
may have been the preference of his sober judgment

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 25
for them, the character of his daily associations was
veiy favorable. The political atmosphere which he
breathed, in no degree to be confounded with old-
fashioned Federalism, was rather that of perfect defer
ence for the Constitution as expounded by Mr. Clay
and others in the more liberal and palmy days of the
Whig party. There was one thing for which he
seemed to feel a perfect detestation, and that was an
unbridled Democracy. Political tenets, just such as
we who have survived him have seen incorporated
into political platforms, the writer, during the winter
evenings around the camp-fires, has often heard him
declare, must necessarily destroy any country so unfor
tunate as to experiment with them. With a bearing
of uniform courtesy and politeness to all men, he did
not think that all men were to be intrusted with the
right to vote, but that universal suffrage was the cer
tain precursor of universal misrule or anarchy. In
view of the evils which are likely to flood this coun
try through the sluice-gates of unlimited elective
franchise, may we not say that he "was taken from
the evil to come? " It may be well to state, in this
connection, that his views upon the institution of
slavery were fully in accord with those held by the
great mass of the Southern people. Himself a slave
holder, he lived in a section of country where the
negro was really one of the happiest, best fed, best
dad, and most moral classes of laborers in the world.
His own were faithful, contented, and happy ; he had
inherited his views upon this subject from his fathers,
who may have purchased the ancestors of his own

26 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
faithftil man-servant, George, in the streets of Boston,
at the time that the influence of Northern climate on
the slaves of Massachusetts had proved the fixed fact
of a fortunate failure.
Young Ashby, though wedded to his mountain
home, was not without the expanding influences of
travel and study. He had familiarized himself with
the system of free labor which obtained throughout
the sister states of the North ; was not ignorant of
the abjectly menial factory system of New England ;
had compared the wan, pale, haggard faces of the fac
tory operatives of the North with the gay, careless,
and happy servants on the Piedmont estates : he
had noted, as given by the press, the largely increas
ing calendar of crimes connected with the system of
free labor in the Northern manufacturing towns, and
compared it with the rare appearance of a slave's
name on either the civil or criminal dockets of South
ern Courts of Justice; and what wonder is there that
he saw no objection, moral, social, or political, to the
institution of slavery ? No man bore more indelibly
impressed upon his character the peculiar influences
imparted to Southern society by slavery than did
young Ashby. The open-hearted hospitality of old
Virginia, and of the South generally ; the proud yet
courteous bearing of both sexes ; the elevated stand
ard of both morals and religion ; the happy freedom
from the multitudinous phases of infidelity and Ger
man Neology which have followed the tide of foreign
population as faithfully as the shadow follows the
substance ; the thousand and one ills escaped which

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 27
result from the experiment of engrafting a large for
eign element upon the body politic, before it has been
taught the alphabet of American institutions; the
old-fashioned, time-honored patriarchal relation of
master and servant; — what are all these but blessings
which have brightened as they took their flight, yet
blessings still upon the present generation, eloquently
defending an institution which the world (not New
England) misunderstood, slandered, and at last de
stroyed. Thus much for young Ashby's opinions
and views upon politics and slavery. We will now
advert to a custom then prevailing in the Valley and
eastern sections of Virginia, but existing, as the
writer believes, nowhere else in the United States.
Of this we are sure : that in no part of the South save
Virginia was there anything to remind us of a
Tournament when the Confederate struggle for in
dependence began. In some of the Valley counties,
particularly those around and below Winchester, and
in the counties fringing the eastern slope of the Blue
Ridge, the young men seemed determined that this
relic of their knightly ancestry should not be lost,
but were accustomed yearly to assemble, sometimes
by neighborhoods, at others by counties, to make fair
trial of horsemanship in the presence of large assem
blages of old and young, rich and poor, grandchil
dren and grand-sires. The interest of the occasion
was heightened to the stranger by the joyous faces of
the laughter-loving servants who had accompanied
their mistresses or ma.sters, and felt a pride no hire
ling could know in the fine appearance and success of

28 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
their own "Mass' Dick" or "Mass' Tom" who rode
with graceful ease among his brother knights of the
Tourney. These meetings were not without their in
fluence upon the Virginia youth, and their effect has
been so beautifully set forth by one who in spirit and
temper is himself a very knight, that the writer here
with gives it, even tliough he incur the risk of bad
taste in blending poetry with the memoir of General
Turner Ashby. But the discerning and appreciative
reader will perceive that, as there was much in the
eventful life of the young Virginian to arouse a live
lier enthusiasm than that which attaches one to Ro
mance, — for Truth in his case is even more beautiful
than Fiction, — so has it been found that since his
death there was much in his life
" To wake to ecstasy the living lyre."
The reader shall therefore have the beautiful lines
of Dr. Frank Ticknor of Columbus, Ga., written at
that period of the war when the fame of Ashby had
run as upon magnetic wires from the Potomac to the
Rio Grande. " The knightliest of the knightly race.
Who since the days of old.
Have kept the lamp of chivalry
Alight in hearts of gold ;
The kindliest of the kindly band,
Who, rarely hating ease.
Yet rode with Spotswood round the land,
And Raleigh round the seas.
Who climbed the blue Virginian hills.
Against embattled foes,

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 29
And planted there, in valleys fair.
The lily and the rose ;
Whose fragrance lives in many lands,
Whose beauty stars the earth.
And lights the hearts of many homes
With loveliness and worth.
We thought they slept ! — the sons who kept
The names of noble sires.
And slumbered while the darkness crept
Around the vigil fires.
Burt still the Golden Horse-shoe knights
Their old Dominion keep.
Whose foes have found enchanted ground,
But not a knight asleep."
We have seen that young Ashby was passionately
fond of his horses and excelled as a rider. This su
periority in a manly accomplishment, too lightly es
teemed in this material, money-loving age, was the
result of natural taste developed and strengthened by
the customs of that society of which he was as much
the creature as he proved to be the ornament. To
the training which he received in this school of fine
riders we may trace his ability to baffle and elude his
pursuers, when, often in his wonderful career, being
hotly pressed by the enemy, he rapidly urged his
fieet horse, now down a rough, rugged ravine, now
up a steep ascent; and again, when the pursuit had
slackened, with a few trusty followers, themselves
well drilled in the Piedmont school, he would by a
well executed flank movement, in which the rough
ness of the country necessitated many a fearful leap
over ravines and the unfriendly stone fences of the
3*

30 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
German farmers, throw himself upon those who but
a few minutes before were his pursuers, and drive
them headlong, in wild dismay, back into their own
lines, there to tell some cavalry-boy fresh from the
banks of the Shannon, of Ashby and his wonderful
exploits. As fine riders, there were entire brigades
of cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia, which
would have compared favorably with the Mamelukes
themselves. The writer well remembers many in
stances of superb riding among officers and privates.
By the survivors of that grand little army with
which, in the summer of 1861, Gen. Joseph E.
Johnston bantered and baffled, and, at Hainesville,
beat the doughty Patterson, the splendid figure of
their gallant General, as he appeared riding along
the lines in reviewing the troops at Winchester, a
few days before Death's roll-call at the l.st ilanassas,
will never be forgotten. Nor can the brave men who
followed the matchless Stuart for more than three
years, ever forget him as he rode, the perfect master
of his steed, on many a hard-fought field; and more
especially is his form, as they saw it for the last time,
erect, firm, and steady in his saddle, on the dark,
dark day at the Yellow Tavern, inefifeceablv daguer-
reotyped on their memories and heai-ts. General Lee
is a fine rider, and looks on horseback, as in truth he
is, the very king of battle. Morgan M'as an excel
lent rider, and so is Forrest; A. P. Hill sat firmly in
his saddle; and Wade Hampton, at Trevillian looked
like a man of iron grooved to his saddle. We ofthe
old Ashby Brigade will never forget the superb horse-

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 31
manship of "Jimmy" Thompson. They were all
fine riders ; but upon the Confederate battle-fields ap
peared the form of only one Centaur, and that was
Turner Ashby. This excellence in riding, if he ever
alluded to it, for he was as modest in estimating his
own rare accomplishments as he was full of admira
tion for less marked ones in others, the General at
tributed to the habits of his early life. The hurdle-
races, fox-chases, gander-puUings, and Tournaments
of old Virginia afforded a better school for riders than
those of West Point or the military schools of the
old world. In the writer's observations of the cav
alry in the A. N. Va., he was led to believe that the
finest regiments as a general thing were formed in
those counties in which Tournaments and similar
sports were held up to the breaking out of the war.
When we say Tournament, we mean not such as
they have appeared since the gloomy days at Appo
mattox Court-House, but an old-fashioned, sure-
enough Tournament, in which the riding was at
tended with danger. An intimate friend and com
panion of General Ashby, describing a hurdle-race
which came off a few years before the war, at the
Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, in a written ac
count of it, remarks thus upon its difficulties and
dangers : "Once during each season a hurdle-race was
announced at the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs.
The track was a mile long, and was crossed by two
ditches, one twenty-one feet wide and the other eigh
teen feet, and by two fences, each five feet high. The
knight Avho cleared the ditches and fences, and first

32 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
passed the judges' stand, crowned the Queen of Love
and Beauty, and led off in the dance that night at the
Coronation Ball. Few knights were found bold
enough to enter the lists, though there were many
there who longed to show their prowess, and com
pliment some fair lady. The names of Turner and
Richard Ashby were ever among the foremost on the
lists, and Turner generally, amid the cheers and con
gratulations of the crowd, bore off the palm and
placed the crown upon the brow of the blushing
Queen." As it is important that the rising generation may
not lose sight of what old Virginia was, — a result it
is feared too certainly to be deprecated and anticipated
under the mild (?) regime of the "Higher-Law"
powers of the land, — -it hasbeen thought to be the
duty of all Southern people to familiarize our youth
with the customs of the past, and the glories of our
struggle for independence, and thus in the formation
of their characters to bring to bear all the hallowed
and hallowing associations of that past, to keep in
full view and active play all the refining and elevat
ing influences of that social system which has made
the people of the South, indeed, "A peculiar people."
Let us not, then, hesitate to acquaint our youth more
fully with the customs and peculiarities of the past,
through fear that among much, and very much of
good, they may stumble upon and appropriate that
which is evil. What is to be apprehended for the
children of the South, is, that they will materially
deteriorate, socially and morally, and no longer be

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 33
able to challenge the world to afford as high a type
of christianized men and women as those to be found
in the Southern land during the first six decades of
the nineteenth century. No people who teach their
youth to be proud of their Past need ever despair of
their Future. Thus impressed with the propriety of
preserving every thing which exerted a formative in
fluence upon the youth of the South, the writer has
incorporated into the body of this Memoir a graphic
description of a Virginia Tournament, and does it
the more readily because this, and many others in
which young Ashby figured, were not without influ
ence upon that character with which the writer wishes
to familiarize the great body of Southern youth. The
article referred to is taken from the columns of the
Norfolk Herald, and bears date September 5th, 1857,
nearly four years before the Peace whicli then reigned
smilingly over every Virginia heart, had given way
to grim-visaged War.
The occasion of the sports was the marriage of
Miss  of Morven, and will long be remem
bered by the participants as one of the gayest, mer
riest, and most delightful of all wedding parties.
" Markham" there alluded to is now in ruins. It was
the elegant country seat of Mr. Edward C. Marshall,
an uncle of Lt.-Col. Thomas Marshall, 7th Va. Cav.,
A. N. V. SPORTS AT MARKHAM, VA.
It is a mistake to say that the age of chivalry has
passed. It is true that in our lowland country.

34 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
where we have, or think we have, a greater Variety
of amusements of a refined character, we never
attempt even the semblance of a tournament, as it is
practised in the mountains of our State. But a re
cent visit to the upper counties has convinced us that
this once martial exercise, which had its origin in Ro
man or perhaps in Trojan times, and was so common
in the feudal ages, still exists, and although armes a
outrance are superseded by the rockets, yet the chival
rie spirit of the descendants of the knights of the
olden time is the same which stimulated the latter to
deeds of greater danger.
It is fashionable to sneer at these imitations of the
amusements of the middle ages; but when it is re
membered that they are done in the daytime, and
bring together from distant places the young and old
of both sexes, and excite to courtly emulation, whilst
they perfect our young men in the elegant accomplish
ment of horsemanship, they are far more worthy of
commendation than the midnight revels of the ball
room, and other such like recreations (?) of our silken
knights and faded damsels of the cities.
It was our good fortune to be present at a recent
display of the kind, near Markham, in the County
of Fauquier, which was held in honor of the nuptials
of Miss  , of Morven. All the beauty and bra
very of that region seemed to have assembled on the
occasion, if one might judge from the number of
ladies who were ranged along the side of the moun
tain to witness the feats of the Knights, who were
present, not to do battle as in the more barbarous

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 35
times, but to prove their ability to bear the sword
and lance in their behalf, if such necessity should
ever arise.
Nothing can be more simple than the preparation,
as it appeared to us. In a dry meadow, or plain, at
the foot of the mountain, two high posts were planted,
about ten feet apart, from which was suspended a
cord fastened to the top of each, and from the middle
of this cord was hung a ring about six inches in diam
eter, slightly held by a hook. To dash at full speed
from a point of some two hundred yards, and passing
between the posts, to bear off the ring upon the point
of a lance of six feet length, was one of the mysteries
of the joust, and it would seem to be of easy accom
plishment; but to do it all, and to do it gracefully,
is a feat of horsemanship requiring fearlessness and
hard practice.
In the present instance, we were struck with the
whole of the arrangements. It was announced in the
beginning that six young married ladies were to be
the judges of the tournament, and, beginning with
the bride, they were successively called to their seats,
whioh overlooked the field. A band of music, high
up above the lady judges, sounded the approach of
the Knights, who were then for the first time seen
filing through the rocks and trees, and in good order
soon displayed in line a few yards below where the
ladies were seated. The Knights were nobly mounted,
and dressed in the gay fashion and coloring which
the fancy of each had selected. Richard Ashby, the
Herald, one of the most manly-looking persons we

36 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
ever beheld, then introduced the Knights, calling the
roll as it were, thus : " The Knight of Avon "— " of
Avenel" — "of the Lancet" — "of Aldenburg" —
"of Frederick"— "Ali Pacha" — "Rob Roy" —
"Roderick Dhu" — "Mclvor" — "Knight of Mark
ham" — and so on to the end of the list. A short
address followed, stating the rules of the tilt, the du
ties of the contestants, and expressing confidence in
their endeavors to win by their bravery the rewards
which beauty was ready to bestow. The music
sounded again, and the troop turned and passed along
aijd away, until they were entirely concealed from
view among the trees. And now the Herald, Mr. A.
 , of Markham, called to the Knight of Avon to
come forth, and in an instant he weis seen emerging
from the forest and bounding upon his horse as fleetly
as the spirited animal could bear him toward the
ring, and, as gracefully as only he could do the deed,
bore away the ring in triumph, amidst the shouts of
the spectators and the strains of music. After, came
one and another of the Knights, as well trained, and
managing their horses as if they were centaurs, but
with various success, — each successful one receiving
the applause of the spectators in his turn.
There was one, however, who was a stranger, calling
himself the Knight of Aldenburg, of moderate stature,
simply attired, and indifferently mounted, who in
spite of all his efforts, and he. freely used his spurs,
could not force his steed to the lists, so that he was
ruled out after three baffied attempts. The lady
judges, however, overruled the rules, and admitted

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 37
him to another trial, which he modestly accepted; and
mounted upon another charger he came thundering
along the plain, and bore away the prize from all
competitors, having taken the ring seven times in
succession. The Knight of Avon, Rob Roy, and Roderick
Dhu were decided to be next in skill to him of Al
denburg, and entitled, after the victor had selected
the Queen, to name the Maids of Honor — or, we be
lieve, of love and beauty. This decree being an
nounced, the Knights, with their Herald, rode up and
again deployed before the judges, when the Knight
of Aldenburg dismounted, and handing his bridle to
his Esquire, knelt before Miss M. of Markham, and
crowned her Queen. In quick succession the Knights
of Avon, Rob Roy, and Roderick Dhu bowed lowly
before Miss C. M. of Fauquier, Miss C. of Win
chester, and Miss S. of Fredericksburg, as the
selected Maids of Honor. Each lady replied with
ease and fitly to the complimentary speeches of their
respective knights. While this was being done, the
echoes of the hills around were waked up by the
trumpets of the musicians, and a most charming ex
citement prevailed among all — unless we except,
perhaps, the Knights who had failed in the contest,
and the ladies to whom these Knights had vowed to
do homage in case of success — for each Knight had
knelt at his especial shrine that day, not excepting
the turbaned representative of Ali Pacha.
The sun was setting behind the hill which made
the western boundary of the lists, just as the act of

38 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
coronation was finished — and so we might let the
curtain drop upon them; but there was one incident
that might have found fitting place even at the "pas
sage of arms at Ashby."* During the contest, a
horseman rode up in the full costume of an Indian
chief, painted and feathered, and calling himself Hia
watha. He rode an unbroken colt, without saddle or
bridle ; and without noticing the music or the crowd,
he uttered the war-cry of his race, and passing like
a fiash along the line, he lifted the ring from its rest
as if it were child's play, and continuing at full speed
to the outer extremity of the plain, bounded over a
high stone wall, and disappeared. This man of the
forest, by the rules of the tournament, was not per
mitted to select and crown the Queen of Love and
Beauty, nor was it his wish to do so, as it seemed;
but in the judgment of the bride, tribunal, or ladies '-
court, and of all who looked upon that scene, no
Christian Knight was ever more fully entitled than
he to the highest honors of Chivalry.
We have omitted much of this amusing spectacle,
and incidents perhaps worthy of a place in the fore
ground of the picture ; nor have we expatiated on
the superb scenery of valley and mountain, embel
lished by the fine mansion of Mr. INIarshall, (one of
the sons of the late Chief Justice,) which looked
over upon the field of the tournament ; nor of the sur
passing beauty of the ladies, without whose smiles
the gallant Knights would not have toiled for their
spurs; — but we have said enough to show that "peace
*Gen. Ashby.

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 39
hath its triumphs as well as war," and to inspire our
^lowland youth with an honest desire to emulate their
highland brethren in feats of manhood.
But we have neither time nor space to dwell longer
among these pleasant associations and recollections of
Virginia's Past, but must address our attention more
immediately to other aspects of the General's charac
ter. As a son, we shall speak of him only as con
nected with his mother, having lost his father when
only six years old. To his mother he was at all
times as tender and gentle as a girl. Inheriting her
love of books, he owed much of his taste and mental
culture to her influence. A near relative and con
temporary of Mrs. Ashby informs the writer that
" Mrs. Ashby was a woman of decided character ;
careless and indifferent to the ordinary matters of
life, and rather negligent about business matters.
She was fond of indulging her fine taste in dress, and
indulged no less in a profuse and elegant hospitality.
Very fond of flowers, in her day 'Rose Bank' was
literally a bank of roses. Her conversational powers
were remarkable ; possessed of strong nerves and of
great self-control, she excelled in good sense and
sound judgment."
This was the mother of the man who in the provi
dence of God was to throw such a lustre and halo of
glory around the stars and bars of the Confederate
banner. Tenderly did she watch over him, and suc
cessfully did .she instil into his mind the love of truth.
The peculiar tenderness and gentleness of his charac-

40 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
ter the writer has ascribed to the beautiful relations
which he sustained to his mother and sisters. To
wards his brother Richard there was a devotion rarely
found among brothers, as we will see in the progress
of this Memoir. James, his elder brother, had settled
near Fredericksburg. Poor fellow ! just before the
war began he fell a victim to disease, in February,
1861, not, however, before he had raised a company
for the war, then imminent, of which he was chosen
the Captain. Before his death he named Captain
Wells as his successor.
In the latter part of her life, Mrs. Ashby became
a confirmed invalid, and it was very beautiful to see
her son's little attentions to her in the sick-chamber,
where, his sister, Mrs. Moncure, writes, "he was as
gentle and kind as a lady." His mother had often told
him when a boy, that he might live to be a man, but
never a gentleman, without he cultivated every noble
instinct within him. That mother lived long enough
to see him a man in the fullest sense of the term, and
yet a very gentle one. During her sickness it was
thought that a jaunt to the White Sulphur Springs
might benefit her. Turner was her escort, and never
did a son evince a more tender consideration for a
mother than he. His social character at this time
was fully formed, and such was his courtesy and
consideration for all, that few men ever lived in any
community with more friends than he had in his own
neighborhood. Tenaciously do the people of that
section cling to his memory, and many a child in the
Piedmont counties and Shenandoah Valley bears the

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 41
name of Turner Ashby. The people name their
children after him. And if among the people gen
erally he was a favorite, what shall be said of the
relation which he sustained towards those possessing
his fullest confidence and esteem — his intimate friends.
The elderly gentlemen of his neighborhood, who used
to call him " old man " when he was a boy, because
he was so quiet in his manners, greatly admired and
esteemed him, whilst by those more nearly his own
age he was much beloved. They regarded him as the
soul of honor. Kind, frank, generous, and brave as
a lion when roused, he was ordinarily as gentle as a
lamb. Time and the. mutations of human circumstances
may and will make many changes around the Gen
eral's home. The friends he loved will one by one
pass silently away, yet in the memory of their chil
dren's children the recollections of the private worth
of General Ashby will be kept fresh and green. We
have said that he was gentle ; but his was not the
gentleness which could be mistaken for effeminacy.
An incident will illustrate what is meant. In Feb
ruary, 1861, he paid his sister and mother his last
visit. As if " coming events cast their shadows be
fore," he was uncommonly sad, — " so very sad," says
his sister in a letter, " that one of my little boys,
looking at him just after he had entered the room,
cried out, ' Night, Mamma, Night ! ' I suppose his long
black beard and sad countenance frightened the child.
Turner smiled and held out his hand, saying, ' Come
here, Richie, come here ! ' The little fellow ran up to
4*

42 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
him, and clasping him around the knees, exclaimed,
'No night now, Mamma ! '" The great partisan chief
had smiled upon the child, and the night of alarm
gave way to the sunlight of love and confidence.
We have endeavored to show what the General's
political opinions and views were; have glanced at
those on the vexed question of slavery; have de
scribed his social and domestic life, and it only re
mains to speak of his moral and religious sentiments,
and then we must hurry on ; for we are lingering
too long amid the scenes of the soldier's private life,
as the life of .one whose future, however luminous
with military glory, was never so bright as to mar
the pleasure of the appreciative reader in dwelling
upon the story of the earlier years of the matchless
Cavalier. To show how careful and prompt he was in pecu
niary matters, Mr. W. B. B., a member of a leading
mercantile firm in Winchester, Va., remarked to the
writer, that, during the war, the General's servant,
George, would frequently come to them for articles
needed in camp, saying, Mass' Turner would be in
town on such a day, and settle the bill. Mr. B. does
not remeinber that in a single instance he was ever
an hour behind his word ; but when the day came,
the bill was paid, and this too by the officer in com
mand of the outposts of the armv under the watchful
eye of the energetic Stonewnll Jackson. This is a
trifling incident in the life of a great man, but
Turner Ashby was Turner Ashby in all things —
sinall as well as great. On the skirmish line faitli-

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 43
ful, and amid the shock of battle as true to duty as
he had ever shown himself in boyhood and earlier
manhood. As to other features of his moral char
acter, the writer, though daily and intimately asso
ciated with him, never heard him use a blasphemous
expression ; he never indulged in the lesser vices of
smoking or chewing tobacco ; and whether at the
mess-table, around the camp-fires, or at the head of
the column on the march, the writer fails to remem
ber a single instance in which a joke was told or an
incident related which would have been looked upon
as indelicate or improper in the presence of ladies.
He was innately modest and refined in language and
conversation. Previously to the war there was an
opinion entertained by some that he was not at all
times strictly temperate. It is apprehended that the
exposure of the Bath campaign of '61 and '62 would
have called out any lurking fondness which a man
may have had for drink. The General then, as ever,
exercised the most perfect temperance and moderation,
never touching a drop when the intensity of the cold
and exposure would not have justified any sane man
in using what he was never known to abuse. He
was in the fullest sense of the word a temperate man.
In mild weather, and always when on light duty, he
would pass weeks together without touching anything
intoxicating, and this averment every member of his
military family will fully sustain. As a moral man,
then, we may say he was remarkable, and his morality
withstood the manifold temptations of active, weari-

44 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
some, perplexing, and arduous campaigning which
showed what a man was in every particular.
The question may be asked, — and if these pages
have been read by a skeptic in religious matters, doubt
less the question has presented itself, — "If human
nature, unaided by anything save mere morality, is
capable of such admirable development, what need
have we of the higher requirements of a Christian's
creed?" The sister of the subject of this memoir
shall indirectly, yet fully, answer the question.
Says that sister: "Whilst he was never an open
professor of faith in Christ, I believe he tried to
serve Him from his youth up. Never from his
childhood did I know him to retire without read
ing some portion of Scripture, and I have good
reason for believing that he kept it up to the day of
his death." This is the testimony of a devoted
sister, to whom, doubtless, he spoke freely upon all
subjects, or as freely as his natural reserve would
allow. In this connection it is proper to mention the
fact that to the writer, as Chaplain of his command,
he always afforded every facility in his power for re
ligious services, and, unless away on duty, (for he
rarely, if ever, left camp for another purpose,) he was
regular in his attendance upon the service, and was
one of the most attentive hearers to whom the writer
ever preached the Gospel. His career in the field, so
meteoric in its brilliancy, was one of such un
paralleled activity, that few opportunities ever pre
sented themselves for serious religious conversation.
After a day's march, or his return from a recon-

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 45
noissance, the few hours before he sought necessary
sleep were occupied in discussing the probable plans
of the enemy, or in eliciting from some daring scout
ing party information regarding their position,
strength, or movements. Every energy of his mind
and body seemed to be engaged in the arduous duties
of his position. General Jackson relied implicitly
upon him, and never did he vainly seek for informa
tion. But the discharge of all the duties of the out
post officer for the General in command left but little
time for aught else. During his remarkably active
military life, once, and once only, did the opportu
nity for approaching him upon the subject of his soul's
salvation seem to be propitious, and it was at once
most willingly seized by the writer. It was while
the body of his noble brother, Richard, lay a corpse
under the hospitable roof of Col. George Washington,
near Romney, Va., in the early part of the campaign
of 1861. The General, in an upper chamber of the
house, was pacing to and fro, indulging his silent but
deep grief. He suddenly ceased to walk the floor,
and began to tell of the noble qualities of his dead
hero-brother; as he spoke of his lofty courage and
prowess, his eye seemed to gleam with the fierce light
of the battle-fiame ; but when he spoke of the blow
as affecting his invalid mother, how it would crush
her heart, his voice faltered, and he wept bitterly.
Then he spoke of another, — and tenderly did he refer
to her, his brother's widow-betrothed, and deeply did
he sympathize with her in her saddest of all bereave
ments. Then it was that his attention was directed

46 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
to the joys of Heaven, and the utter emptiness of all
earth's pleasures compared to them. He was silent
and attentive, and in the conversation which fol
lowed, short and categorical as his natural reserve
made it, the opinion fastened itself upon the writer's
mind, that this was one of those cases in which often
times the noblest natures shrink from expressing
full confidence in the hope of pardon and peace. He
seemed afraid to make an open profession of religion,
lest, from his inconsistency, " offences might come to
the cause of Christ." More than five years have
elapsed since that time, but the writer has become
more and more fully confirmed in the opinion then
formed, that the General would have made an open
profession of religion at that time but for his great
reserve of character and the constant demands upon
his mind and attention by the pressing duties of his
daily life; for time was scarcely allowed him to
master his great grief, before the booming cannon
of the First Manassas called him away from his
brother's grave, to fight that foe who had been taught,
in Richard Ashby's death, how a brave man dies.
The Avriter has endeavored to describe the social,
political, moral, and religious character of General
Ashby. His personal appearance, when not on horse
back, cannot be said to have been peculiarly striking.
He was of medium stature, about five feet eight
inches in height, usually weighed about one hundred
and thirty-five pounds, and had not an ounce of sur
plus flesh. For one of his size, he was very strong
and muscular, and as active and agile as an Indian

PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. 47
hunter, to whom, indeed, he was not unlike in other
respects, for th'e members of his military family will
long remember his solitary figure sitting in moody
silence beside the smouldering camp-fire, watching
its dying embers, whilst his restless brain was bu,sy
with the memories of his own Past, or thoughts of
his country's Future. He had a deep-set, rich, dark-
brown eye, full of expression, and, at times, of ten
derness. His mouth, as much as you could see of
it for his superb beard, was indicative of great firm
ness and decision ; but when he smiled, you saw at
once that he was not a stranger to gentleness. A
brother officer once remarked that his smile was
rather that of woman than man. His beard, as has
been observed, was really superb, very black, and
worn unusually long, so long, indeed, that, when his
horse was in rapid motion, the beard of the rider
and mane of the steed actually mingled ; so that the
poet's allusion to this fact was no mere poetic license,
when he said, apostrophizing this lamented cavalier,
" The mane upon thy charger's crest.
The raven beard upon thy breast,
No more shall mingle lock with look.
Like streamers in the battle-shock."
Yes ; one must have seen him mounted upon his
superb charger, to have been fully impressed with
what he was and what he could do. Ashby, repre
sented at the head of the column in a charge, raising
himself in his stirrups, waving his sabre, leading his
men on to victory, ringing out his well-known battle-

48 PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE.
cry, " Follow me ! Follow me ! " would make a coat-
of-arms more acceptable to the people of Virginia
than any other, save that which he loved far above
all other heraldry, — '^ Sie semper Tyrannis!" For,
whatever he may have been, whatever he may not
have been, this he was, and in the full sense in which
he understood the term, — a Virginian.
Sheridan (not P. H., Jr., but Richard Brinsley)
once said : " Too late I stayed, forgive the crime.
Unheeded passed the hours ;
For noiseless falls the foot of Time
Which only treads on flowers."
The writer loves to dwell upon the character of
Ashby. To him it will be a lifelong pleasure to
have known him intimately and in private ; for not
every man whom the world calls great can afford an
intimate knowledge of his inner life. Not so was it
with Ashby. But Time, near at hand, bore him
rapidly along to other scenes than those of either
holiday parade or mimic battle, and we must follow
him. Destiny beckoned him onward, and we must
see whither and how.

CHAPTER II,
THE JOHN BROWN RAID,
THE fall of 1859 found the subject ofthis memoir,
then simply Turner Ashby (citizen), in the enjoy
ment ofthe pleasures of his quiet mountain home, little
dreaming that, before the snows of the approaching
winter should yield to the warmth of a vernal sun,
the mists which veiled his future would gradually
rise, and he would have a partial view of what lay
before him. But his character was formed ; his con
stitution was vigorous, the result of habitual exercise
in the open air and his love for manly sports ; about
thirty-one years of age, in the very prime of his man
hood, we can say that he was ready for his Future.
The people of the Shenandoah Valley, that beau
tiful section of Virginia, her pride and boast and the
admiration of the Western Continent, were in the
full enjoyment of their bright and bracing autumnal
days. The whole Valley, from tragic Harper's Ferry
to quiet Salem, lay a very Eden in its loveliness.
The fields were standing thick with shocks of corn,
or were dotted with herds of sleek cattle and flocks
of quiet sheep. Mountains, whose ravines have since
thrown back the sounds of murderous cannon with
their wide-mouthed echoes, were gorgeous with their
5 (49)

50 TRE JOHN BROWN RAID.
masses of foliage just tinged by the early frost. Her
beautiful homes, the abodes of hospitality and good
cheer, were filled with joyous and happy inmates,
not with maidens or matrons prematurely old, wear
ing the weeds of a people's sorrow. A great sorrow
had not then overclouded this stadium of Glory,
but they who were so soon to sweep along it in
the lurid light of battle, were now happy in the
enjoyment of the greatest of civil blessings, honorable
Peace. Her people, primitive and simple in their
tastes, had learned, long before, the primary duty of
good citizenship, obedience to Law and rightfully-
constituted Authority. Education, as the hand
maiden of Religion, was rapidly doing its work of
social and moral elevation. Industry and Art were
gladly contributing their quota of happiness ; and, in
fine, the whole Valley was eminently peaceful and
contented. And the pictures of peaceful repose here
drawn, as then seen in the Shenandoah Valley, were
multiplied as you cast your eyes over any portion of
the magnificent domain of the South, whether your
view embraced the valley of the Guadaloupe, or those
in which the sons of Kentucky were busied with
industrial cares. Peace, profound peace, reigned
over this happy land, when, — unheralded save by the
loud slogan of a vindictive and jealous fanaticism,
ruling in the halls of Congress, and caught up and re
echoed in Faneuil Hall, — about half-past ten o'clock,
Sunday night, 17th October, 1859, John Brown
crossed the Potomac river, at Harper's Ferry, into
this untroubled Paradise. It is not the purpose of

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 51
the writer to enter into details, telling fully "of those
angry drops of blood, so portentous of the coming
storm." The sunlight of History has already shone
upon them, and beyond we have seen no bow of
Peace, but the bloody, brutal butcher's knife. It is
simply his purpose to mark such facts and features
in the history of this nefarious raid as fastened them
selves upon the mind of Turner Ashby, and left their
impress upon his views for life. Often has Ashby
been heard to say that "the war began not at Sum
ter, but at Harper's Ferry;" not by South Carolina,
but by John Brown and the band of zealots who,
either with money or Sharp's rifles, were hounding
him on against the liberty of the South. In his
view, the main features of the case were these : A
cavalier by birth, association, and education, he in
stantly recognized, in the motives actuating and con
trolling John Brown and his associates in this insur
rection, the same spirit which moved the hearts and
inflamed the passions of those who, under the lead of
Cromwell, had banded themselves together against
the rightfully-constituted authorities of England,
more than two hundred years before the word aboli
tionism had been engrafted upon the political nomen
clature of any country. The fact of "a grand radical
convention" held by the conspirators at Chatham,
Canada West, May 8, 1868; what was there done;
the revolutionary and incendiary character of the
"Provisional Constitution and Ordinances for the
People of the United States," agreed upon by those
then and there in solemn and sanctimonious conclave

52 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
savagely assembled; all this may not have been
known by him, who lived remote from the " Hub of
Civilization." But this much the young Virginian
did know : that for a long time a large number of
that people who sympathized with this rebellion had
been fully and servilely subjugated by a class of ideas
which they dignified with the name of principles.
He well knew that the Juggernautic Car of Puritan
ism was daily crushing out the life-blood of that
people so boastful, of their liberty. He had not been
an idle spectator of the terrible scenes which will ever
disgrace the annals of American History, perpetuat
ing the wrongs endured by those of his own kith and
kin, in the insults offered to them, and their blood
shed upon Kansas' dark borders. Of these facts he
was not unmindful ; and, though at first startled by
the clap of thunder presaging the storm, as soon as
the first feelings of surprise were over, he remembered
that the heavy mists of politico-religious error, bigo
try, and social jealousy had been slowly yet surely
settling upon the minds and hearts of thousands in
the North ; he remembered that the deadly exhala
tions of Puritanism were rising around and above
many a New-England roof-tree; and he ceased to be
surprised, and silently bent all his energies to the
duty of the hour — the vindication of his Mother's
honor, then assailed for the first time in a proud his
tory ranging back many years before the Compact of
States was formed. Her sovereignty assailed and
imperilled, he must hurry away to the rescue. Turner
Ashby could not have done otherwise.

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 53
What John Brown's exact plans were seems never
to have been fully known, but enough soon developed
itself to warrant the assertion that had he, upon
touching the border of Virginia on that ill-starred
night in October, fiung to the breeze his banner, in
scribed in letters of blood with. Arson, Plunder, and
Murder, his mission would have been no less fully
understood by the inhabitants of that quiet old Com
monwealth, than is that of the savage Indian, whose
war-whoop is the death-knell of whole families to
the settlers on the western frontier; or that more
recent exponent of pseudo-progress, "Booty and
Beauty," which was put into the mouths of those
fighting for liberty, by the faithful teachers of the
" Martyr's " school. John Brown, as commander of
this advance guard of Abolitionism, numbering, as
has been variously estimated, some ten or a dozen
whites with a few unfortunate negroes who had been
duped into this mad foray for liberty, proceeded with
"military method." He arrested the watchmen
guarding the railroad-bridge over the Potomac, and
immediately occupied the Armory and Arsenal.
Cook, one of the conspirators, had formerly lived in
Harper's Ferry, and availing himself of the means
offered by the unsuspicious hospitality of the people,
had made ' himSelf intimately acquainted with tKe
neighborhood. Brown turned this knowledge to ac
count by dispatching him with a small squad to the
neighboring estates, to capture their proprietors and
raise recruits among the blacks thereupon. Mr.
Lewis Washington, as a fitting return for former
5*

54 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
hospitality to this ungrateful fanatic, was the first
prisoner made by him. The capture was not con
fined to the person of Mr. Washington; his watch
also was appropriated by some of the party, — a faith
ful comment on the peculiar character of Puritanical
education. This and similar captures having been
made. Cook retired with his train to Harper's Ferry,
and, turning over his prisoners to his superior officer,
returned with his plunder to Kennedy's house, which
had been their place of rendezvous previously to this
hapless sally in behalf of freedom. Brown's pickets
were busily employed in arresting all who were likely
to oppose his benign sway. These arrests were very
numerous, and the prisoners were placed in the en
gine-house of the Armory. At the Hall rifle works,
on the Shenandoah, about half a mile from Head
quarters, Kagi, the "Secretary of War," had been
placed, by order of the Commander in Chief, with
one of the grand divisions, numbering some six or
seven men, mostly negroes.
This disposition of forces being made. Brown
seemed to be waiting for reinforcements in the shape
of an imaginary corps of insurrectionary blacks. But
in this he was disappointed. Instead of reinforce
ments for the doomed raider, the yeomanry of the
Valley, at first incredulous as to what had occurred
at the Ferry, began to rise to the vindication of the
insulted majesty of the State. All sorts of rumors
were afloat. Some said that it was a strike of the
Government workmen for higher wages, others
thought the stir and excitement resulted from the

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 55
arrest of some rascally contractors, employed in
building a dam across the Potomac, who had run
away with a large sum of money advanced them by
the general Government. But the popular mind of
the Lower Valley was soon alive to the fact that the
confusion within their borders resulted from no strike
for higher wages, but a blow struck at their liberties
by the disciples of the Higher-Law school ; not from
the arrest of absconding contractors, but that of quiet
law-abiding citizens under the sanctity of their own
roofs, in the dead hour of the night, and that too,
not by the army of the State or general Government,
but by the bloody hands of politico-religious fanati
cism. The country, far and near, was soon ablaze
with excitement. Men of every condition, for miles
round, hastened to the scene of interest, in many
cases not waiting for even the most incomplete mili
tary organization, but taking their places with the
first squad of men moving to the spot. The move
ment to suppress this miniature rebellion seemed,
somehow, to take on form and efficiency ; and before
the prompt action of the authorities at Washington
had been announced by the arrival of regular troops,
the fate of John Brown and his party was sealed.
Companies of volunteers from Winchester had ar
rived ; Jefferson County had furnished many brave
spirits ready to do and dare anything the occasion
demanded ; indeed, every section of the lower Valley
was fully represented in men, imperfectly armed in
all respects save that of nerve for duty. The gov
ernment troops, a company of the Marine Corps,

56 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
were under the immediate command of Lt. Green,
but the control of the whole movement was commit
ted to the trusty hands of Col. Robert E. Lee.
Pending these preparations, bloody scenes were en
acted. The Mayor of Harper's Ferry, Mr. Beckham,
thinking that his gray hairs and unarmed appearance
would protect him, advanced toward the engine-
house whither Brown had retreated, in the hope that,
as the head of the municipal authority, he might be
able to stay the tide of violence and bloodshed by
the suggestions of wise counsel. But as he was pro
ceeding on his errand of duty and law he fell dead,
struck by a bullet fired by one of the Brown party.
Shortly after the citizens captured one of the raiders
named Thompson. So infuriated were the friends of
Beckham, that, in " spite of the protests and exhorta
tions of the bystanders, they dragged Thompson out
upon the bridge, killed him, and threw his body into
the river." Meanwhile the news had flashed over
the whole land. Pennsylvania kindly made a tender
of troops to the Governor of Virginia, as had nearly
all of the Southern States; but the only troops pres
ent, other than Virginians and United States Marines,
were the companies from Baltimore. Besides the
companies from Frederick City, there were present
the Baltimore City Guards ; the Independant Grays,
commanded by Captain I. Lyle Clark, who bore him
self gallantly through the Confederate struggle ; the
Law Grays, Captain Bowers ; the Lafayette Guards,
commanded by the lamented Captain Wm. D. Brown,
who nobly yielded up his life at Gettysburg. The

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 57
whole were commanded by Brigadier-Gen. Egerton,
and attended by J. R. W. Dunbar, M.D., as Surgeon.
Frequently, before any decisive action was taken by
Col. Lee, the Virginians, in their excitement and
fierce indignation, importuned this officer to allow
them to storm the engine-house; but the Colonel, de
clining their services for an assault, ordered Lt. Green
to communicate with the insurgents and demand their
surrender. This was refused except on such terms as
were not thought due to malefactors. Orders were
now given to storm the house, the doors of which were
strongly barricaded. After an ineffectual effort to break
them open with sledge-hammers, they yielded to the
strokes of a ladder used as a battering ram. This was
not effected without loss, for the insurgents, firing
upon the advancing troops, killed one of the Marines.
The next moment the gap widened and the Marines
poured in. As Lt. Green entered the door, a voice
cried, " I surrender." Brown said, " One man sur
renders, give him quarter," and at the same time
fired his own gun. Instantly Green's sword de
scended, and the desperate outlaw lay stunned and
bleeding. Kagi, with his "Corps d' Afrique," after
drawing upon himself the fire of the Virginia rifie
men, ignomlniously fled, and made good his escape
by concealing himself for some time in the house of
some sympathizer in the town. Cook was not so
fortunate, for when the number of prisoners was as
certained, he was found among them. The capture
having been made upon soil in the temporary pos
session of the United States, the question arose

58 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
whether the prisoners were to be tried by a Federal
or State Court. It is not recollected upon what au
thority the decision was made, but they were turned
over to the State of Virginia, and sent on to Charles
town, the county-seat of Jefferson, where they were
safely lodged in the county jail.
The raid and its suppression involved but a few
hours altogether. Before the stirring news had
reached Gov. Wise at Richmond, before even the
quiet of Ashby's Piedmont home was broken in upon
by the stories of "murder and battle" which rumor
had carried across the mountains, John Brown's day
dream of empire and power was well nigh over.
Upon the very first intimation of what had occurred,
young Ashby mounted his horse and "collecting a
company of mounted men, rode incessantly, day and
night,, until he reached that border now so intimately
associated in its incidents of war with his unfading
glory." He reached Charlestown late at night, and
after ascertaining exactly what had been done, sought
food and shelter for his tired men and horses. Next
morning, 20th of October, upon reporting himself to
the commanding officer, he entered upon that round
of duty in whioh he elicited the commendation of his
superior officers and the admiration of all who saw
him. An officer, who from fidelity to the Confeder
ate cause stood high ou the roll of honor, remarks
of Ashby, as he saw him at the "John Brown raid":
"Among the dashing cavaliers who, glowing with
martial ardor and a romantic attachment to their na
tive State, responded to the call to arms, Turner

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 59
Ashby was foremost. He came to war as to a feast,
and seemed elevated and transformed from the quiet
person he was in business into an active, vigilant, and
energetic being, under the infiuence of new duties
and new scenes. His knightly mien and superb
horsemanship attracted the notice, and excited the
admiration of all, while his calm demeanor and gen
tle manners quite won their hearts." The glittering
pageantry of holiday parade, which stirred the ma
jority with the mere sentiment of glory, excited more
serious emotions in the prophetic soul of Ashby.
Like the war-horse of Job, he "snuffed the battle from
afar," and saw in the harmless show around him the
opening scenes of a bloody period, and the promise
of a grand theatre of action. Such was General
Turner Ashby as he appeared to the eye of a soldier,
when as a Captain of cavalry he made his first im
pression as a military man. We may say truly that
the beginning was a favorable one.
When this generation has passed away, and oral
traditions have become dim and misty, the curious
student of this part of Virginia's history may desire
to know why it was necessary to keep around this
poor, old weak traitor such a military force as then
rapidly assembled in and around the county-seat of
Jefferson. " What need was there of increasing the
indebtedness of the State by calling out so many
men to guard a small party of bad men in the
hands of the law?" Had there not been many men
at the North like John Brown ; nay, had not Gov.
Wise known that there were many even worse than

60 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
this, their miserable tool, — men who were using all
the power and influence of their positions of public
honor and trust to effect the very end dear to the
heart of this captive insurrectionist; had he not
known that there was much actual sympathy ex
tended to John Brown by the rapidly growing
Abolition party at the North ; the seemingly prodigal
expenditure of Virginia's money would have been
unwarrantable on the part of her Governor. But
the press of the North gave out no uncertain sound.
There were a few noble exceptions, but many more
instances in which there was a trimming of sails to
catch the veering breeze of popular favor. The
careful reader could well understand that beneath the
ambiguous style in which many of their leaders were
written lay the expression of much sympathy for
"the martyr," while some of the articles were plainly
declarative of perfect accord with his designs. Ru
mors, by no means groundless, reached the Executive
ear of armed intervention and the rescue of Brown.
Letters, written in cipher, were received from per
sons at the North, warning the people against the sin
ister designs of Brown's friends, and the whole South
was kept in a state of feverish excitement through
out the winter of '59-'60. But if the Governor of
Virginia was warranted in retaining a large force on
the Potomac border from the probable danger of an-
attempt at rescuing the malefactors, this was far from
being the only motive actuating this far-seeing Vir
ginian. With Ashby and many others. Gov. Wise
believed the outbreak at Harper's Ferry to be but the

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 61
mere skirmish between the advance guards of the
two great sections which were becoming every day
more and more embittered against each other. It
was his duty, therefore, both as a statesman and
patriot, to make every effort to place Virginia in a
proper condition to meet the threatening future. He
believed, much as he deprecated war, that it was im
minent, indeed inevitable. One of the objects, there
fore, to be accomplished by this concentration of troops
was the diffusion of a military spirit throughout the
State. Nearly every section was represented by the
volunteers whose services had been accepted by the
Governor. The men of Southwestern Virginia
were there, mingling and interchanging opinions
with their brothers of the tide-water and Piedmont
regions, and it was a matter of felicitation among
them to -find that their views were similar, "and that
they were all imbued with a romantic devotion for
the honor and dignity of their mother State." The
Governor would accept the services of a company
from Floyd county, keep them on duty for a few
weeks, and then sending them home, would replace
them by a company from the south side of the James.
Thus he endeavored to bring the men from each sec
tion into the field long enough for them to be fully
imbued with the military spirit prevailing around
the camp-fires of the lower Valley. There was one
organization there which will be regarded with
special interest. The corps of Cadets from the
Military In-stitute, under the command of Major
T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson. Here, for the first time,
6

62 THE JOHN BRO WN RAID.
Jackson and Ashby met. The writer has often heard
General Ashby speak of the bearing of General
Jackson on that occasion, predicting for the then
Brigadier-General something of that deathless fame
which they both lived long enough to achieve.
One of the happy results of thus calling together
the troops of the State, was realized in the generous
and healthful rivalry which sprang up between them,
in all the details of drill and other soldierly qualities.
An eye-witness thus describes this scene :
"Among the gay and animated groups which con
tinually filled the streets of Charlestown, representa
tives of all classes and from all parts of the State
might have been seen. Each company disported the
uniform of its fancy, and all the colors of the rain
bow shone out resplendent in the various costumes
which met the eye. There might have been seen the
modest gray uniform of the Richmond Volunteers
mingled with the cerulean blue of those from Alex
andria, the glaring buff and yellow of the Valley
Continentals, and the indescribably gorgeous crimson
of the Southwestern men. In many corps, each
gentleman selected his own uniform, and while all
seemed affected with a contempt for their citizen's
clothes, rarely more than two agreed in the selection
of the colors of their military dress. Some wore
slouched hats, some military caps, and some stove
pipe beavers of the latest style. It was a merry
gathering, and every one was as gay and happy as a
lark. They talked of war as a pastime, and seemed
to think it was a glorious thing. While some talked

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 03
of war and politics, others devoted themselves to the
ladies. The plumed cavalier, with his jingling spurs
and rattling sabre, vied with the gaily decorated in
fantry man in the hotels and parlors of the village.
The slightest incident while 'out on duty' served
for the basis of a thrilling narrative; and often one
could see some ardent captain exciting the liveliest
sympathy of some tender-hearted damsel with the
eloquent account of the horrors of a sleepless night
or rainy day."
But amid this assemblage of citizen-soldiery were
two who were never idle, but appeared fully occupied
with the duties of their respective positions. IMajor
Jackson seemed to think that much in practical evolu
tions still remained unmastered by his corps of Cadets.
He was untiring in his efforts to impart to them that
perfection in drill and in other duties of a soldier,
with whicii he afterwards impressed that splendid
army corps in the A. N. V., which by the inspira
tion of his genius he made weUnigh immortal. Nor
was Ashby ever idle : though a favorite in society,
his only care and pleasure seemed to be to acquaint
himself with his duty as a soldier and to perform it.
As it was not known what night a body of armed
men might cross, there was a regular chain of pickets
along the Potomac. This duty devolved upon Capt.
Ashby, and here it was that he familiarized himself
with the physical outlines of that region destined to
be the theatre of some of his most valuable services
and brilliant exploits. At this period of their com
parative obscurity, when they were passed by ia

64 THE JOHN BROWN RAID.
looking for those who were thought likely to "read
their history in a nation's eyes," Jackson and Ashby
seemed to recognize each other as joint heirs of mili
tary glory and renown. The writer, in the Fall of
1861, when expressing the pleasure with which the
Ashby command would hail him as General in com
mand of the Shenandoah district, well remembers
General Jackson's peculiar kindness of manner when
he said, "I knew Col. Ashby at the John Brown
raid." At this period began that relation of confi
dence and esteem which continued to strengthen daily,
until both fell in that path of duty along which they
were now taking their first firm strides together. But
the reader need be no longer detained by the passages
of Ashby's life as connected with this raid. Suffice
it to say that Brown, after a patient and impartial
trial, was convicted, condemned, and executed, and
that his accomplices shared his fate. The honor of
Virginia having been vindicated, and her necessities
making no further demand upon the services of the
young Virginian, Ashby disappeared for a while from
the Valley, and repaired to Wolf's Crag. Shortly
after his return home he was gratified at receiving
from his company a handsome dress-sword and beau
tiful service of silver, " in testimony of the admira
tion and love they bore him."

CHAPTER III.
SECESSION, AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT.
TN January, 1860, Capt. Ashby returned from the
-'- John Brown raid, and ohce more betook himself
to the peaceful duties of home. His neighbors, how
ever, remarked upon the great change which had
come upon him during his few months' of military
life in the Valley. One of them speaking of him
as he then appeared, says : " From this time he be
came more grave and thoughtful. His thoughts were
of the perils that threatened his country." Yes, he
was more grave and thoughtful, and why? Who
knows what passed between Jackson and Ashby at
Charlestown, when guarding Virginia against the
invasion then threatened? Is it too great a tax
upon the credulity of any to believe that when
these two great spirits met, they communed freely
on that subject of deep and common anxiety, the state
of their country, present and future? As we think
of it, we can p,lmost see the pale face and unbending
form of Jackson, as he, shaking off his natural re
serve, for once spoke freely to him whom he then
learned to trust and esteem; while Ashby's eyes
would light up with excitement as he heard how they
would go to battle together, in the event of Radical
ism overriding that Magna Charta of American
6 * (65)

66 SECESSION,
liberty — the Constitution. We have seen those faces
since, when the hurricane of war did burst in full
force and fury, and can well believe that the eyes
which so carefully marked every movement of the
wheeling squadrons, did not fail in scanning the po
litical horizon of their country, to take in the cloud,
already "far larger than a man's hand, and red with
blood." But be this as it may; one thing is certain, Turner
Ashby was a changed man. With him no longer
was " The cock's shrill clarion or the echoing horn "
the signal for meeting his young companions for a
day's sport among the mountains. There were no
more fox-hunts for them. The hilarity and pleasures
of Diana's peaceful sway began to disappear before
the anticipated approach of Mars. There were but
few holidays in the South after the Christmas of
1860; that is, few of that class so strikingly charac
teristic of her people. However, if there were no
fox-hunts among the young gentlemen of the Pied
mont estates, there were gatherings far different.
Horses and riders were there, but the mellow notes
of the hunting-song were no longer wafted by the
breeze to the listening ear of the mountain maid.
No winding horn told of the hunter's approach to
his home and served as a signal for the evening meal.
No ! no ! The war spirit of the country is aroused,
and yonder group of horsemen are not discussing
field sports, or the contents of a late number of the

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 67
Amertcan Farmer, but the mysteries of the well-worn
work on Military Tactics or the latest news from
Washington city. Men are growing desirous to
know, not how to cultivate, but how to defend their
soil. And will we wonder at this desire, or be sur
prised upon approaching some group assembled for
drill to find Captain Ashby among them, when we
advert for a moment to what took place during John
Brown's imprisonment and thereafter. The mails
from the West told that on the day set apart for the
vindication of the law of the land by the execution
of this infamous malefactor, one of the circuit court
judges, for the State of Ohio, made from a part of
Virginia's princely gift of territory to the General
Government, unable from grief to proceed with his
duties, had adjourned his court in deference to John
Brown the "Martyr." This was no insignificant
item of intelligence to the Southern mind, for it indi
cated clearly the drift of popular sympathy; for ne
cessarily, to a greater or less degree, under the system
of an elective judiciary, that Ohio judge on this oc
casion must have acted not only for himself but in
deference to a set of opinions then rapidly gaining
ground in the upper part of the great valley of the
Mississippi. Nor was this all. While Brown was
in prison, the people of Charlestown were one morn
ing surprised to find among them a judge of the cir
cuit court of Massachusetts, who had come all the
way from Boston to look after the martyr's interests.
It is true that this representative of the New Eng
land judiciary did not come to rescue the state

68 SECESSION,
prisoner from the custody of the law; this his pro
fessional spirit may have forbidden. But he did what
was worse. He came down from his position on the
Bench, and compounding with his conscience, offereii
violence to the Moral law of the Christian world in
thus giving social aid and comfort to a malefactor on
trial for his life. His wife gave evidence of her in
dustry and sympathy, meanwhile, by darning the
"Martyr's" stockings. These facts are well remem
bered by the members of the Charlestown bar. Ex
pressions of popular feeling and sympathy such as
these were not without their influence upon the opin
ions and actions of the Southern people. They were
forced to the conclusion that the Harper's Ferry re
bellion found many and ardent sympathizers in the
North, who were only restrained by the strong arm of
the General Government from sending reinforcements
to their advance guard as soon as it had seized upon
the Armory and Arsenal.
Capt. Ashby, though unable to read his country's
history in the lights of expanded statesmanship, real
ized the peculiar peril of the hour, and it is not won
derful that, as a Virginian, with a patriotism which
rose above the level of a mere sentiment, he should
cling- .to the revolutionary traditions of his country,
so richly embellished by a Henry, a Morgan, the
Lees, and one who towered above them all, George
Washington, no less than by an Otis, a Green, a War
ren, and the Clintons. He loved the whole country;
but while his heart went out in love and admiration
for the whole, Virginia obtained from him, while he

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 69
lived, what she now offers him, though dead, — undy
ing love.
The eventful Winter of 1859-60 gradually melted
away, and Spring with its flowers was upon the land
once more. The planters of the whole South, with
their peaceful and contented slaves, were busy in pre
paring their fields for the intended crops. But wher
ever you turned, the plough-share of anxious care had
left its furrows deep and wide upon the popular heart.
All were feverish and excited. They seemingly be
gan, for the first time, to take in the danger of the
situation in its fearful proportions ; and the wonder is
that a people, whose hearts were so deeply stirred,
were able fully to command themselves, and leave the
settlement of the question to the decision, not of the
sword, but of the ballot-box. Unfortunate for the
wellbeing of this and other generations was it, that,
in the midst of so much deep feeling and excitement,
the Presidential election should have come around;
for in times of profoundest peace, the people of the
United States had become so much interested in party
issues, that not unfrequently the whole country had
been wildly excited from centre to circumference.
But now the stimulating influences of a Presidential
election, and the presentation to the popular eye, by
those expert in the art, of well-drawn pictures of
sectional prejudices and wrongs, seemed likely to stir
up a tempest which would drive the ship of state
far away from her safe moorings out upon the stormy
sea of revolution. — "Just before the several conven
tions met in the Summer of 1860, to bring out their

70 SECESSION,
respective candidates for the Presidency, Capt. Ashby
was enjoying the society of an o]A and cherished
friend. General L. Armstead, under the hospitable
roof of 'Wolf's Crag.' The conversation turned
upon the situation of the country. Capt. Ashby
spoke of the danger of a disruption of the Union,
and consequent war. General Armstead, then Major
Armstead of U. S. A., listened for some time in si
lence ; then, suddenly starting up, exclaimed, ' Turner,
do not talk so ; I know but one country and one flag.
Let me sing you a song and drive away your gloom ;'
and then sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' Capt.
Ashby joining in heartily. Yet despite his love for
the flag, when the choice was presented to Maj. Arm
stead of fighting under that fiag for the oppression
of his native State, or of sharing her dangers and
privations, he did not hesitate, and sealed his choice
with his life's blood, whilst gallantly leading his
Brigade on the Heights of Gettysburg." — This ex
tract from a paper, prepared by one of Capt. Ashby's
friends and neighbors, who stood high in his confi
dence and affection, clearly shows what his views
then were.
We will now turn to the last Presidential election
in the United States, for, as yet, though war has done
its work, there are many seats in both houses of Con
gress which seem likely to be vacant for years to
come. The reader must endeavor to bear in mind
that the troublous times upon which we have fallen
resulted from no sudden development of success on
the part of Abolitionism. Like the avalanche which

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 71
at first moves slowly, the Black Republican party,
which now sways the destinies of millions, was for
some time weak in resources and contemptible in pro
portions, but year after year has it continued to gather
strength and energy, until it would seem that it will
sweep everything before it, while the only hope of
rescue from its baneful influences is in those very
proportions which seemingly constitute its great
strength. Many illustrations of the trite adage that
"Honesty is the best policy" are afforded by the his
tory of our race, but never perhaps a more striking
one than that which forces itself upon the mind when
reading the history of the Democratic party in the
convention which met in Cincinnati in 1856. In
making the platform upon which those differing upon
the question of slavery in the Territories might all
stand, and in the ambiguous terms in which were
expressed their views upon the Kansas Nebraska Bill,
this great party overreached itself and paved the way
for its own downfall. Though for the time success
ful and enabled to elect Mr. Buchanan, yet the
double interpretation of Avhich this platform was
susceptible, caused a division in their ranks which
resulted in two rival tickets in the summer of 1860.
As Sampson toying with Delilah was shorn of his
locks, so the Democratic party, unwisely tampering
with sectionalism in its worst form, lost its prestige
and power. The delegates which met in Charleston,
S. C, could not agree upon a platform. Ambiguity
had had its day, and as men grow honest in death, so
was it in the latter days of the Democratic party.

72 SECESSION,
The points of difference, honestly stated in the Char
leston Convention, showed that there was no hope
for the middle way of compromise. Richardson, of
Illinois, held to the Northern interpretation of
" Squatter Sovereignty." W. L. Yancey, of Alabama,
urged that the Southern people should not be called
upon to vote for a candidate who did not stand upon
the platform which denied Territories the right to
interfere with the question of slavery at all, and
insisted that they must first come into the Union as
Sovereign States before they could be clothed with
power to mould their organic law in favor of or
against slave labor. Thus widely differing, the Con
vention, " agreeing to disagree," found an early grave
for that organization which had been the most power
ful of the land since the golden days of Andrew
Jackson, — the Grand National Democratic Party, —
and thus made way for the success of Black Republi
canism. The Charleston convention resulted in the
nomination of Senator Douglas by the Squatter Sov
ereignty wing, and that of the Hon. John C. Breckin
ridge by those of the State-Rights school. Captain
Ashby saw that this division must end in the discom
fiture of the Democratic party, and turned his eyes
to the banner on which was inscribed, "The Conr
stitution, the Union, and the Enforcement of the
Laws," as it was borne over the land in the hands of
Bell and Everett. The Anti-slavery party, patched
up of the odds and ends of all the other parties of
the North and Northwest, met in Chicago, and
nominated Abraham Lincoln. The whole country

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 73
was now ablaze with excitement. The well turned
periods and strong logic with which Douglas made
even weak premises seem wellnigh unanswerable, were
listened to by the Alabama planters, while Yancey's
eloquence found willing auditors in the city of New
York. A friend of Captain Ashby's informed the
writer that, pending this campaign, " he bent all his
energies to affect the election of Bell and Everett,
plainly seeing that a Conservative, National Presi
dent must be elected, or dissension and war would
ensue." He knew that no great numbers of Southern
Democrats would vote for Douglas, and that the few
Northern Democrats who could be induced to vote
for Breckinridge could not materially affect the result.
Of one thing he was morally certain, that no one in
the South would support Lincoln, and thus, as day
after day passed, and November approached, his hopes
of success beat warm and high. But he was doomed
to disappointment. The election was over, and Lin
coln, failing to receive the majority of all the votes
cast by much more than half a million, had been elected
under the Plurality rule. As soon as the election of
Lincoln was announced. Captain Ashby, sharing the
general gloom which oppressed every Southern heart,
remarked to a friend who had voted the same ticket,
" If war ensue, we will have the consolation of know
ing that we have done all in our power to avert it."
Earnest as he was in the conscientious discharge of
what he believed to be his duty, and deep as were his
regrets at the triumph of Sectionalism, he even then
did not despair. He did not think that the mere

74 SECESSION,
election of Mr. Lincoln was a sufficient ground for
the dissolution of the Union, while he was frank
enough to say that, though the constitutionality of
secession was a debatable question, he was far from
approving of the action of South Carolina, when on
the 20th December, 1860, she severed the tie which
bound her to the Compact of States, and reassumed
' the powers she had delegated to the General Govern
ment. When Virginia was called upon to say through
her convention how she would act in this critical con
juncture, he voted for Hon. R. E. Scott and John Q.
Marr as members of that Convention, both of whom
expressed the opinion that Virginia, who had given
so vast a territory (on> the sole condition that not
more than five States should be made out of it) to
help the Gerieral Government, a Marshall to the
Judiciary, and a Washington to the Presidency, to
aid and guide the then feeble Republic, might still be
able to save the child of her fostering care, now grown
to the proportions and strength of a giant, from rush
ing upon certain destruction. In all that Robert E.
Scott and those who acted with him were able to do
in that convention, — in the sending of Peace-com
missioners to Washington to induce Mr. Lincoln to
refrain from any act which would precipitate war, —
they met with the hearty approval of Captain Ashby.
Mr. Scott, with a moral courage only equalled by his
dispassionate love of the Union, urged Mr. Lincoln
" to give the South some guaranty that he did not
intend to interfere with their property or political
rights." History will yet write the failure of this

AND ASHBY' S PART IN IT. 75
Commission among the most painful instances of
patriotism foiled by fanaticism.
The Conservative party of Virginia having failed
to realize their hopes of peace through the commis
sion which went to Washington, an effort to avert
the civil war, then imminent, was made through the
Border State Convention. It was hoped that what
one Commonwealth had failed to effect might be
accomplished by the associated Border States. The
anxious eye of Ashby now turned to that Conven
tion. Its inability to secure the rights of the States
and the Union is well known. The moral argument
completely exhausted, every means in her power fully
but vainly tried, Virginia, realizing that no other
course was left her whereby she could maintain her
ancestral honor, on the 17th of April, 1861, joined
hands with her Southern sisters, and referred all to
the arbitrament of the sword. It must not be for
gotten that this was not before, but three days after
Mr. Lincoln had issued his Proclamation of the 14th
of April, 1861, in which he declared South Carolina
to be in a state of war, and called upon the other
States to furnish seventy-five thousand men to force
her back into the Union of " willing hearts." The
action of Virginia met with the full approval of him
upon whom her posterity will ever look with pride
and admiration. Whilst the young Virginian was
far from concurring with the views which prevailed
in the Gulf States, — whilst he could never be looked
upon as a Secessionist in the ordinary acceptation of
the term, — he was ever kind in his expressions of

76 SECESSION,
opinion of that great party which was largely in the
ascendant in the majority of the Southern States.
He could well understand how it was that the moral
effect of such teachings as emanated from the schools
of Northern politicians, the continuous ringing in
the Southern ear of ominous threats by the spokes
men of the believers in "Higher Law" and "Irre
pressible Confiict," should have deadened it to the
exciting strains of Yankee Doodle ; that the frenzy
of the zealot Sumner, and the studied phrases of the
modern Macchiavelli, should have served to widen
rather than close the breach in the wall of loving
hearts which once fortified the Constitution and the
Union. None knew better than he the peculiar
organization of the Southern people, their love of
liberty, and their utter contempt for the cant and
hypocrisy which entered so largely into the structure
and sentiment of their sectional speeches, called in
the language of that day " admirable defences of the
Union," but which were in very truth nothing more
than goads driving a noble people to desperation.
He did not pretend to be competent to the task of
deciding upon the constitutionality of Secession, for, as
he expressed himself on this point, he "found the purest
and the best of Southern statesmen differing upon its
merits." In a little while these statesmen were
brought to the point of most perfect accord and won
derful agreement, not upon the merits of Secession,
but upon the inestimably precious privilege of Revo
lution. Previously to, and, indeed, up to the magnetic
thrill of horror produced by the Coercion Proclama-

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. Tl
tion of Mr. Lincoln of the 14th of April, 1861, the
people of Virginia were looking eagerly to the Con
vention at Richmond, then occupied in discussing the
propriety of the State's secession. After that fearful
moment of American history, the gaze of Ashby was
turned away from civil councils, and took in the camp-
fires of a bloody Revolution. He knew that a people,
taught from infancy to cherish their ancestral pride
and love of liberty, would not tamely submit to the
coercion now imminent, but would appeal to the
Supreme Disposer of all things, and endeavor, by His
help, to hew out for themselves an honorable place,
not among the Federal Provinces, but among the
nations of the earth. As long as there was the slight
est hope of preserving the Compact of States, even
after his dear old mother had gone so far along the
path of love for the Union as to bring upon her
children the names of "Laggards on the march, and
Sluggards in the storm," she was not deserted by the
Union-loving Ashby ; but as soon as the edict of coer
cion had gone forth, the cavalier, loving liberty more,
found his heart estranged from everything which
attached him to the Union, and his conscience freed
from every obligation to remain with those at war
with his kith and kin. George Washington, the
rebel chieftain of the ragged, barefooted men who
in the first Revolution left their footprints tinged
with blood upon the snowy fields of Valley Forge, and
deeply impressed their deeds upon the memory of the
world, did not willingly dissever the relations which
bound him, as a law-abiding subject, to the sever-

78 SECESSION,
eignty of Great Britain. It was the Stamp Act,
extra constitutional, which called forth from Patrick
Henry that powerful speech which moved to action
the startled members of the colonial legislature. A
greater wrong was here — an attempt to bend the
necks of sovereigns to the slavish yoke of sectional
fanaticism. As Washington's commission was written
on the rebel-paper unmarked by the loyal badge of a
stamp, so the warrant which outraged Virginia placed
in the hands of her noble sons, bidding them defend
her, ought to have borne the impress, "No Coercion."
Virginia in her Convention had listened to the voice
of a distinguished son of South Carolina, as he told
of the wrongs endured by the South, and pictured
the pleasing scenes of " Peaceable Secession," through
which he led the Southern sovereignties to a glorious
future. Virginia listened, and was silent. Memory
reverted to the golden days of the past, and she
pressed the Constitution, the offering of her own son,
to her great, beating heart. But when struck by the
blind blow of a blundering giant, as from Wash
ington City Abraham Lincoln hurled the thunder
bolt of Coercion among her people, that proud old
Commonwealth turned away from the idol of her
heart, now desecrated, and mastering her grief, uttered
defiantly through her firm lips the AVord — Revolu
tion. Thus it was that Virginia turned away from
a Union already wrecked amid the shoals of Puri
tanism and the quicksands of Radicalism, and calling
to her side her hosts of faithful sons, went forth most
mournfully, yet fearlessly, to battle.

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 79
The vindication of the Southern people makes it
necessary to advert to some of the foul charges made
against them, at this period of the struggle, by those
in the North who, in the Presidential campaign of
the year before, had seemingly co-operated with them
in their last struggle at the ballot-box. The Demo
crats of the North, who have since afforded the world
an instructive illustration of the wisdom ofthe com
mand : " Cast out first the beam out of thine own
eye," in their inability to preserve their bodies from
arrest, the printing-presses from silence, or their pul
pits from politics, ventured to give their brethren of
the South some wholesale if not wholesome advice.
That organization, whose life-boat appears to have
gone down in the storm of revolution, kindly told
the people of the South, that in leaving the Union
they had cut themselves off from their sympathy and
aid; that, had they remained in the Union, their joint
strength would have overcome all opposition. The
South reminded them of the duplicity of the Cin
cinnati Convention, and in sense replied: "We have
been the victims of platform ambiguity long enough,
and do not now see anything to hope for in a longer
political co-partnership ; if you can take care of your
selves in the same government with the party now
in power, Ave will endeavor to do the best we can
without your assistance. The time for associated
effort to maintain -the Constitution, in the Union, is
now past. We have fallen upon sadder days, and
new duties present themselves. Sectionalism tri
umphing in the election of Mr. Tyinooln endangered

80 SECESSION,
the Union ; the Proclamation of Coercion rendered
that compact null and void — nay, more, stamped it
under foot in this attempt to coerce States which even
the horn-book of Democracy had ever held to be in
dependent Sovereignties." A few Democrats of the
North were alive to the moral vantage-ground occu
pied by the South, but, alas ! opposed to those few
Vallandighams and Voorhees, were many Dickin
sons and Butlers. Of the many fair-weather friends
the South then had in the North, one deserves more
than a passing notice — Benjamin F. Butler, yclept
General. A States-Rights Democrat ofthe "straitest
sect," he entered the Charleston Convention, and
after voting for Jefferson Davis fifty-nine (59) times,
adjourned with the majority of the Southern dele
gates to Baltimore, where he gave evidence unmis
takable of his adhesion to the rights of the States.
But when the fiery trial came, "About wheel ! Presto!
Change ! and Butler is in command at Big Bethel.
He is seen again in New Orleans. Among the Sheri-
dans, Mitchels, Turchins, M'Neils, Milroys, and
Hunters, who made war by murdering aged and un
armed men, insulting unprotected AVomen, and starv
ing little children, and made fortunes by plundering
their helpless victims, not one AA'ill record a blacker
name in history than Butler " the Beast."
In arraying himself against the United States,
Capt. Ashby Avas neither rebel nor traitor. When
the Compact of States was dissolved, as he believed it
to be, by the Coercion Proclamation, the logical and
inevitable conclusion in his mind was, that her pro-

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 81
portion of the property held by the Federal Govern
ment reverted to each State, and the commonest pru
dence dictated the seizure of all the forts, arsenals,
armories, lighthouses, &c., within their borders, and
built for their defence and benefit, lest they should
be used against them. The value of this property
was, of course, to be reckoned in the settlement which
must, sooner or later, close the struggle. We find,
therefore, that he advocated the immediate seizure of
Fortress Monroe and Harper's Ferry. He had seen
the attempt to reinforce Sumter after Mr. Buchanan
had promised the State of South Carolina that there
should be no change in the disposition of U. S. forces
in Charleston harbor, and after Mr. Seward's weird
note to Judge Campbell of the Supreme Court: —
"Faith as to Sumter fully kept — wait and see."
He felt a strong and life-long conviction that the
effort to reinforce Sumter after the solemn pledges
given, was of itself an act of war ; and though, when
the State of South Carolina seceded, he did not fully
approve her course, yet when the match was applied,
and the first gun boomed out over the waters of
Charleston harbor, he believed her action right, and
in doing so he stood before the world as a rebel and
traitor only to that Union whose Constitution had
been destroyed by sectional fanaticism, and whose
escutcheon was black with plighted promises violated.
It has been repeated until the ignorant of the North
have believed the assertion, that the Southern people
robbed the General Government when they seized the
public property Avithin their borders. They were no

82 SECESSION,
robbers. If, upon the dissolution of the Union,
when the passions of men would allow of no equal
division of the property belonging as Avell to peo
ple of the South as to those of the North, Fort
Macon, N. C, in the unequal partition, fell into
Southern hands, the North remained in possession of
Fort Lafayette, as Messrs. Mason and Slidell well
remember. The North kept possession of every dol
lar's worth of the common property from Fortress
Monroe to the distant coast of Oregon. Even Vir
ginia's share of the fund, derived from the sale of
lands which she had given to pay her poorer sister's
debts, was spent in the purchase of arms to pierce
her generous heart. Ashby, in approving the action
of the South, was no robber. And those who prize
the fair fame of the South, and fondly cherish the
memory of her noble dead, may fearlessly appeal
from the verdict of the present hour, as rendered by
our foes, to that of Christendom, when the open
ing chapter of the history of this bloody revolution
shall have been read by those capable of rising above
the infiuences of prejudice.
It may be necessary to advert, in this connection,
to a few facts embodying the views of General Ashby.
Had the fourth of March, 1861, daAvned upon the
American people with a statesman at the helm, and
not one unequal to the great occasion, then might the
bark, in which at that time Avas found such precious
freightage of a Nation's hopes, have escaped the
whirlpool of Secession, nor yet have been dashed to
pieces upon the rocks of Coercion. At this time,

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 83
when the Cotton States were out of the Union, but
before the Border States had passed any ordinance
looking in that direction, had Mr. Lincoln said to
the seceded States, "I hold that your action is
wholly wrong. I believe that you have no warrant
for it in the Constitution — no just cause in anything
that has occurred. Try the experiment, however, if
you are determined to do so. It has been tried by
North Carolina and Rhode Island, Avho found it not
to answer. Meantiine, I must take such measures
for self-protection as judgment may direct; but,
unless attacked, will not lift one finger to shed the
blood of my fellow-citizens." Had words of such
import fallen from the lips of the Chief Magistrate of
a great country, rising Avith a lofty patriotism above
party ties and personal considerations, who can doubt
that the Union would have been restored with but
trifling cost, and without bloodshed.
It must be remembered that in all, save one, of
the Gulf States, though decidedly in the minority,
there existed a Union party. This party would
have grown rapidly under the influence of such
views as expressed above; it would have derived
strength from Virginia and other Border States.
Take into view what the war would have been with
out Virginia. With such a proclamation instead of
that of Coercion, Virginia would have been with
Mr. Lincoln. Thus we may clearly see that at the
very threshold the South would have encountered all
the difficulties of a divided people ; and when we
take into consideration the enormous taxation to

84 SECESSION,
which each State would have been obliged to resort,
to carry on her separate government, the many irk
some restraints to which the Federal Government
might have subjected them, we can well understand
how this peaceable procedure of the President might
have drawn back the "erring sisters," and peace,
solid, lasting peace, have been restored Avithout the
lifting of the finger of force. Often has the Avriter
heard General Ashby deplore the short-sighted policy
which kept Mr. Lincoln from issuing such a procla
mation instead of that which brought on the war.
With these views and none other did General Ashby
stand by the side of Virginia Avhen she reassumed
her delegated powers. Not as a rebel, not as a traitor,
did he obey his Mother, but as a devoted son, daring
to do what his affection prompted, his judgment ap
proved, and what, in his belief, his God did not con
demn. The 17th of April, 1861, will be long remembered
by the Southern people. No sooner had the State of
Virginia passed the ordinance of secession, than it
flashed like lightning, not only through her own bor
ders, but all over the then smiling South, diffus
ing universal joy among those who had been waiting
in trembling hope to see her star added to the Con
federate Galaxy. Young Ashby was on his way to
visit his mother and sisters when he heard of it; he
immediately turned and rode back home ; and gather
ing his cavalry company, "The Mountain Rangers,"
prepared to hasten to the Potomac border : that border
along which for four fearful years Death held high

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 85
carnival. The young Virginian was about to leave
the haunts of his boyhood forever. Never more
would his step ring along the passages of Wolf's
Crag, or his manly form cast its shadow on the
threshold ; for when Capt. Ashby mounted his steed
that April morning, and, placing himself at the head
of his company, gave the command "Forward!" it
was to follow a path which led him from his peaceful
home forever.
The 1 9th of April was marked in Virginia by two
events worthy of notice. As soon as the Federal
authorities heard of the secession of Virginia, they
made a beginning in the work of destruction, in
which they afterwards became expert indeed. As
likely to prove very serviceable to Virginia, they de
stroyed the greater part of the naval property at Nor
folk, and ordered Lt. Catesby Jones to destroy the
flne Armories, Arsenals, &c., at- Harper's Ferry. The
militia and volunteer companies, which pressed to
ward the Potomac as soon as the State seceded, did
not arrive in time to save this valuable depot of arms.
Col. Harper, of Augusta County, (that West Augusta,
to the mountains of which the rebel Washington, in
our first Revolution, had said he would retreat if dis
comfited by the British in the Jerseys,) with O. R.
Funsten, Esq., of Clarke, gathering up what men
they could, hastened forward to save the valuable
stores of arms, &c., but saw the sad havoc of what
was so sorely needed, only from a distance as the
curling smoke from the burning arsenals and armo
ries told too plainly that they had been anticipated
8

86 SECESSION,
by the authorities at Washington City. The town
of Harper's Ferry occupied a position so important
in the history of military movements in the Valley,
that we will pause a moment to describe it.
It is situated on the Virginia side of the Potomac,
just where the sparkling waters of the Shenandoah
flow in and enable it to cleave its way through the
Blue Ridge. On the opposite side of the Potomac,
towering high above it, rise the Maryland Heights,
while just across the Shenandoah, the Loudon
Heights frown upon the devoted town as if threaten
ing, Avhat war has wellnigh effected, its utter destruc
tion. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of the
great commercial feeders of that city whose dcA'otion
to Confederate prisoners rivalled her loA'e of liberty,
crosses the Potomac at this point and stretches away
through the territory of that occidental, incidental,
accidental Federal appendage, known in the parlance
of loyalty as " West Virginia." The Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad is here tapped by the Winchester and
Potomac Railroad, which thus afforded at that time, by
way of the Winchester and Manassas Gap Railroad,
(except a short link of eighteen miles between Win
chester and Strasburg,) a continuous line of railway
to the City of Richmond. Besides the vast quanti
ties of imjjroved arms contained in the arsenals and
armories. Harper's Ferry possessed one of the largest
and best flour-mills in the Valley. No one more
fully realized the value and importance of its mih
tary and other stores^than Capt. Ashby, and his cha-

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 87
grin may be better conceived than described Avhen he
entered the burning town and mingled with its ter
ribly excited and alarmed inhabitants. Here it was
that the Young Virginian fiung the flag of his na
tive State to the breeze, and as the fiery glare illu
mined her proud coat-of-arms, registered the vow in
his heart, as he believed it was in Heaven, "Sic
semper Tyrannis."
The officer in command, Major-General Kenton
Harper, of the Virginia Militia, afterwards Colonel
Harper of the 5th Virginia Volunteers, was doing
all ill his power to save whatever promised to be of
value. He was ably seconded by Captain Ashby and
other Virginia gentlemen. It Avas soon discovered
that, though much injured by the fire, many of the
arms and much of the machinery Avere far from being
useless. The first duty was to gather up and prepare
for shipment to Richmond everything worth the
transportation, and to this the whole force assembled
at once betook itself. It appeared proper to General
Harper that " The Point of Rocks," a position loAver
doAvn the river, should be guarded, and the country
across the river should be carefully scouted. To this
duty Captain Ashby Avas assigned, Avith the guns of
Imboden and some other forces. He bent every
energy to the performance of duty, and instituted
from the beginning that system of careful scouting
and reconnoitring which so distinguished him in the
.service of his country. While here, he was from
day to day joined by some of the best and bravest of

88 SECESSION,
Maryland's noble sons, who preferred the exposure
and privations of a camp-life, where their cherished
and ancestral principles were respected, to the com
forts of home in a State whose honor for the time
seemed to be in the custody of a faithless Executive
who, at variance with a Legislature fettered and
indeed imprisoned, and a noble people unrepresented,
ignomlniously sold his proud birthright as a Marylander
for the pitiful pottage of a seat in the United States
Senate. He has passed away ; but the truth of history
demanded some allusion to the main feature in the
train of circumstances which caused the absence of
another star from the bright galaxy Avhich now shone
in the Confederate firmament. Dear old Maryland !
How warmly the great heart of the Southern people,
unbetrayed by duplicity in high places, beat in lov
ing sympathy for her, can only be estimated when we
refer to later passages in her history, — when she fed
and clothed those who were prisoners of war, as long
as war lasted, — and when peace offered enlarged oppor
tunities for doing good, continued to feed and relieve
the even more hopeless prisoners of want and famine
scattered over the once fruitful fields of our Southern
land. We may, and by God's help will, forget our
wrongs and enemies, but our friends, prison-tried,
and their hosts of benefits — never! never ! Among
the many young Marylanders, true to their ancestral
heritage of fighting for liberty, the writer will not be
regarded as invidious if he mention the names of
General Bradley T. Johnston and Major Wm. Golds-

AND ASHBY'S PART IN IT. 89
borough, while he would be untrue to the faithful
delineation of Ashby's life if he forgot to mention
Dr. Arthur P. Burns, Surgeon of the Ashby Cavalry,
who, bringing with him all the qualities of a Mary
land gentleman, soon learned to blend with them the
heroism of the Confederate soldier.
8*

CHAPTER IV.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ASHBY COMMAND—
BOMNEY— CAPTAIN RICHARD ASHBY— HIS
DEATH.
"A cloud is o'er him now.
For the peril-hour hath come,
And he rides, with his high unshaded brow,
On the fearful spot of doom !
Away- — no screen for a soldier's eye —
No fear his soul appals ;
A rattling peal, no shuddering cry.
And hannerless he falls."
WE have seen in the preceding chapter the part
which Captain Turner Ashby took in the cap
ture and occupation of Harper's Ferry and other
points held by the Confederates in the spring and
early summer of 1861. We come now to a period
of his military life, upon which the whole seemed to
have hinged.
It will be remembered that Colonel Thomas J. Jack
son had been ordered by the authorities at Richmond
to take command of all the troops at Harper's Ferry.
In this important and responsible position, Col.
Jackson brought to view the soldierly qualities, which
Avere so admirably developed in the matchless Lieu
tenant of General Lee at a later period of the Con
federate struggle. Those Avho were eye-Avitnesses Avill
long remember Iioav rapidly, and yet liOAv insensibly, (SO)

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 91
the yeomanry of the Valley of Virginia and other
parts of the South, who at the first cry of battle had
flocked around the Southern flag, were passed through
the wonderful change to men fully qualified to do
honor to their leader on many a hard-fought field.
Never did man bend himself more unremittingly to the
work of organizing and disciplining the troops under
his command, than did Col. Jackson. With the aid
of his staff, by no means a full, yet a most serviceable
one, together with the assistance of the ardent, well-
drilled Lexington Cadets, who had left their alma
mater to exemplify the principles of war so admi
rably taught them at that most excellent Institution,
the Colonel soon had the pleasure of seeing Avondrous
changes effected in the personnel of his little army.
Among those with whom Col. Jackson was con
stantly thrown, soon after he took command at Har
per's Ferry, Avas the subject of this memoir. They
had not met since their separation after the John
Brown Raid, and many and sad were the changes
which had since befallen their country. The fires of
a revolution there kindling under the breath of fa
naticism, had now grown so fierce that the whole
land was ablaze. But amid the general conflagration,
two remained unchanged, or^ if changed at all, only
in their consciousness of rectitude of action being
more deeply felt, if possible, than when they parted,
some fifteen months before. Again, around the camp-
fires at Harper's Ferry they met, not to indulge reflec
tions upon the future, nor to look mournfully upon
the past, — for the living, breathing, bristling present

92 THE A SHB Y CO MMA ND .
was upon them, and there was neither time nor incli
nation with either for anything but its duties. The
time foreshadowed on the hill-tops around Char
lestown in 1859-60 had come; the stern array of sec
tional forces, so long threatening collision, was now
to meet in actual conflict, as fierce, as bloody, as ever
had engaged either Grecian phalanx or Roman le
gion; and now hand in hand, and heart in heart, Jack
son and Ashby entered fully upon the race for glory,
rivals only as to which should serve his country
best. But while these events were occurring on the
now historic ground of Harper's Ferry, the struggle
began to take on its national form and proportions.
The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States,
then sitting at Montgomery, had adopted its constitu
tion, which was formally accepted by Virginia on the
2d of May. The example of Virginia was conclusive
as to the course to be taken by those States which
were, apparently, hesitating as to what they should
do. One after one, in rapid succession. North Caro
lina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas, foUoAved the
great Mother of States in uniting their destinies,
for weal or woe, with the South. Many there were
in the more Southern States who blamed Virginia
for hesitating so long before "accepting the gage of
battle. There were those, and^ there may be such
now, who thought that the moral effect of a perfectly
united, consolidated South, at this stage of affairs,
would have been overAvhelming upon the popular
mind of the North, and that Virginia "remained

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 93
inactive, lagging in the rear," at this critical conjunc
ture. Whatever may be the merits of this question,
(and in its settlement it should be borne in mind,
that some of the most enlightened judgments of the
State, some, and not a few, of those who later freely
poured out their life's blood in maintenance of their
plighted honor and good faith, were of the opinion
that the moral argument had not been fully exhausted,)
Virginia calmly, unreservedly dissolved her relations
with the Government at Washington on the ever
memorable 17th of April, 1861. That proud old
Commonwealth, whose soil had been made classic
ground by her part in the Revolution of 1776, — she,
/Avho in her pride and chivalry had been the first to
resist the oppression of Great Britain, — she, who had
proved herself the great nursing mother both of States
and Statesmen in the wonderful development of the
United States, — this State, older by many years than
the Compact of States known as the Union, for causes
in her judgment deemed good and sufficient, deter
mined to make common cause with her sister States
against the encroachments and usurpations of Federal
power. On the 29th of May, Jefferson Davis, President of
the Confederate States, was received with the most
distinguished honors at Richmond, to which city
Congress had adjourned nine days before; for, by
special stipulation and agreement, the Confederate
States stood pledged to defend Virginia against all
her enemies upon the condition that she would trans
fer all her arms, ammunition, &c., for the benefit of

94 THE ASHBY COMMAND.
the general defence. It was rightly supposed that
Virginia, from Avhose soil a hostile gun could be
brought to bear upon the Federal Capital, would be
the theatre of the coming struggle. Hence the re
moval of Congress to Richmond. Here the work of
Confederate organization, under the lead and guid
ance of the able Adjutant-General of the Confederate
army. Gen. Cooper, Avas pushed forward A^ery rapidly,
embracing among its earliest provisions the appoint
ment of a suitable officer to command the troops then
at Harper's Ferry.
The 23d of May, 1861, found Gen. Joseph E.
Johnston at Harper's Ferry under orders from the
War Department to take command of that position.
He found Col. Jackson in command, who, like the
true soldier, immediately turned over everything to
his successor. Gen. Johnston found that, though
Col. Jackson had done much in developing the effi
ciency of the men under his charge, still much re
mained to be done. Happily for this officer was it
that he was so ably seconded in his efforts at a more
thorough organization. True it Avas that the militia
then there Avere for the most part undisciplined, yet
the character of those in command of them was suffi
cient to assure the General that everything that could
be done by them would be done to give efficiency to
the then rapidly dcA'eloping army of the Valley.
Besides this, the men were rapidly A'olunteering from
the militia into the more regular A'olunteer service,
and thus coming even more directly under the influ
ence of the subordinates of Gen. Johnston. To con-

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 95
vey some idea of the character of the officers by
whom Gen. J. was aided at this time, perhaps it Avill
be as well to mention some few of the most promi
nent. Of the General's staff there were Col. E.
Kirby Smith, Maj. Whiting, of the Engineer Corps,
Capt. Charles Fauntleroy, of the _U. S. Navy, Col.
Preston, Maj. McLean, Maj. Thomas, of the Ord
nance Department; while Col. T. J. Jackson began to
impress the infantry with his own striking character
istics as a soldier, and Capt. Pendleton was untiring
in his efforts to organize and equip, even in the rudest
and most primitive style, the artillery connected with
the little army. Lt.-Col. J. E. B. Stuart was begin
ning to infuse his own elan and chivalry into the
mounted men. Nor was Capt. Ashby an idle specta
tor of this busy scene of drill and organization.
Stationed at Point of Rocks below Harper's Ferry,
and on the River, in command of the outposts sta
tioned there, he bent all his energies to the organi
zation of his now rapidly increasing company.
Gen. Johnston soon saw that, Avhat to the unedu
cated eye would appear to be a very strong position,
was the very reverse, and that Harper's Ferry was
nothing more than a perfect trap, easily flanked in
any direction. Some of Ashby's scouts brought in
the intelligence that Gen. Patterson Avas about to
advance, while information reached headquarters
that Gen. McClellan, who had routed the lamented
Garnett in Western Virginia, Avas pushing to the
eastAvard Avith the view of forming a junction Avith
Gen. Patterson at Winchester. The able strategist.

96 THE ASHBY COMMAND.
Gen. Johnston, saw that he had but a few days to
accomplish the work before him at Harper's Ferry —
the evacuation of which was to his mind a necessity
paramount. The splendid United States Armories
had been partially dismantled by the Federal troops
under Lieutenant Jones, upon his evacuation a few
weeks before. The munitions of war, with machinery,
material, &c., as far as practicable, he removed; and
at last having finished his work as nearly as was
possible under the circumstances, the pressure of time,
&c., on Sunday the 16th of June, the whole force
evacuated Harper's Ferry and took up the line of
march on the turnpike leading to Winchester through
Charlestown, tbe county seat of Jefferson County,
where the infamous promulgator of " Higher Law,'
John Brown, had yielded up his life in response to
the violated law of the land, as was shown in a pre
ceding chapter of this " Memoir." While General
Johnston was at the Ferry, Col. A. W. McDonald, a
contemporary and fellow-graduate of President DaAris
at the Military Academy at West Point, had applied
for, and obtained from the War Department permis
sion to raise a mounted force to be specially employed
in the Defence of the Upper Potomac Border. The
permission once obtained. Colonel McDonald selected
Winchester as the rendezvous for his command until
such time as he could so far perfect its organization
as to enable him to move forward to his appointed
field of operations. The original plan of the Colonel
Avas to organize his command into a regularly ap
pointed Legion, but from a circumstance entirely

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 97
fortuitous, it was speedily de-.-eloped into a cavalry
regiment proper. Whilst looking around among the
many dashing, spirited sons of the South, whose
qualities of mind and heart seemed most likely to
fit them for the active duties of outpost officers, the
eye of Col. McDonald soon rested upon the form of
the matchless horseman, and polite, courteous gentle
man, Capt. Turner Ashby, then commanding a com
pany of cavalry with Gen. Johnston. An interview
was soon held with the young cavalier, and the field
of adventure, its daring and honor, graphically brought
before his eye, as none other than this sturdy old
Scotch patriot could portray it. The end Avas soon
attained. Capt. Ashby marched his company immediately to
Winchester, to find that the attractive features of the
branch of service which he had chosen, had found
favor with very many of the most spirited and
chivalrous sons of the Valley and Piedmont counties.
Col. McDonald's ten companies were rapidly filling
up. Dr. O. R. Funsten, the popular ex-State-Sena
tor from the counties of Clarke, Frederick, and War
ren, had been attracted by its enticing features of
adventure, and had determined to link his destiny
with the command. Other gentlemen of prominence
were soon seen at the rendezvous, making their ar
rangements to join us. Thus the Avork of recruiting
and organization had so rapidly progressed, that on
the morning of the 17th of June, the day after Gen.
Johnston evacuated the Ferry, the lair women of
dear old Winchester might have been seen in the

98 THE ASHBY COMMAND.
streets saying " Good-bye," and " God bless you ! ''
to the young men of the command.
To those whose relatives or friends belonged to
the original ten companies, afterwards the Seventh
Virginia Cavalry, Army of Northern Virginia, so
well and kindly remembered by the people of the Val
ley as "Ashby's Men," an exact roll of the officers
at its organization will doubtless be welcome. The
one given below is furnished by Col. O. M. Funsten,
the senior surviving officer of the Brigade.
The Seventh Virginia Cavalry was organteed on
the 17th June, 1861, by the appointment of the fol
lowing Field and Staff Officers, viz. :
Colonel, Angus McDonald,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Turner Ashby,
Major, O. M. Funsten,
Adjutant A. W. McDonald,
Surgeon, Dr. A. P. Burns,
Assistani-Surgeon, Dr. T. L. Little,
Chaplain, Rev. J. B. Avirett,
Asst- Quartermaster, Capt. T. P. Pendleton,
A. C. S., Capt. John D. Richardson.
And the following companies formed the Regi
ment. Company A, Capt., Richard Ashby, Fauquier Co., Va.
B, " J. Q. Winfield, Rockingham " "
C, " S. D. Myers, Shenandoah " "
D, " Macon Jordan, Page " "
E, " Walter Bowen, Warren " "

Company

F,

t(

G,

<i

H,

ll

I,

ll

K,

It

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 99
G. H. Sheetz, Hampshire Co., Va.
Frank Mason, Maryland,
A. Harper, Shenandoah " "
Shands, Rockingham " "
Wm. Miller, Shenandoah " "

The rapidity with which the regiment was filled
up will not be forgotten by those who will advert to
those early days of our struggle, when everybody did
his duty, and there were no speculators or conscript
dodgers in the land. Ashby had made it known that
he was to act with the command; and this fact,
coupled with other infiuences, had much to do in
inducing the young men of the Valley to flock to
that standard, under the folds of which the dark
" Knight of Hiawatha," the dashing Captain, as seen
at the trial of John Brown, would flash his sabre and
lead his men on to victory. Of course, if Capt.
Turner Ashby went with the command, the younger
brother, Richard Ashby, was bound to follow; for, as
their devotion to the cause which they had so warmly
espoused, has most painfully attested that they were
united in death, so Avere they through life as devoted
to each other as Damon and Pythias. Nor did their
love and admiration for each other yield even to that
higher type of friendship afforded in the case of
Jonathan and David. United in life, " in death they
were not divided." Horace (Lib. I. Carm. 3) has
the expression " Animce dimidium mece," Never
before, between brothers or any other individuals of

100 THE ASHBY COMMAND.
the same sex, has there been seen a more beautiful
exemplification of this idea of the poet.
" Swifter than eagles and stronger than lions," said
David, when drawing the portraiture of Saul and
Jonathan. Swifter than eagles were the young
Ashbys to run to each other's assistance, and when
on the spot, stronger, bolder far than lions to main
tain each the other's lot.
The annals of our race may be vainly searched in the
endeavor to find two brothers more perfectly devoted
to each other than were Turner and Richard Ashby,
from their youth to the close of life. This could not
have been otherwise, since their devotion was but the
result of those qualities of mind and heart ever char
acteristic of noble spirits and alike common to both
of them. No man ever saw anything of littleness
about either of them ; even their faults were those
leaning to virtue's .side, making but a slight requisi
tion upon Christian charity to throw the mantle of
forgiveness over them. They seem to haA'e afforded
a striking exception to the social aphorism that friend
ship forges her strongest links around hearts of
opposite natures. Bold, dauntless, and chivalrie, yet
gentle, courteous, and at times even tender, these
peerless cavaliers were for all the world those in
the delineation of whose character and deeds of hero
ism, the matchless pen and exalted genius of Sir
Walter Scott would have fully revelled.
Vividly and ineffaceably impressed on the me
mories of those Avhose good fortune it was to witness
it, will the appearance of the two Ashbys ever be, as

THE ASHBY COMMAND. 101
on the morning of the 17th of June, 1861, they were
seen riding side by side through the streets of Win
chester, the head of the column facing to the north
west, as Lieutenant-Colonel Turner Ashby, now a
little past 32 years of age, with his lithe figure
gracefully balanced in the saddle, lightly touched the
rein of his milk-white steed, whose beauty and speed
will go down to posterity on history's page, jealously
embalming the memory of the noble rider; while the
effect of Capt. Richard Ashby's port and mien, now
not quite 29 years of age, splendidly mounted on
the stallion as jetty black as the raven's wing, was
no less imposing. In the palmiest days of Napoleon
I., the ranks of the impetuous Murat or the Cuiras
siers of Milhaud might have been closely inspected,
and two better riders and men more perfectly at home
in the saddle could not have been found, nor could
the days of knight-errantry well have matched
them. But Ave must now pass on to the part which Lieut.-
Colonel Ashby was yet to act in the stirring events
awaiting the column of men at whose head he was
riding, on that bright morning in June.
Col. McDonald's orders from the War Department
were, that he should push his column westward as
rapidly as possible, in order to destroy the bridge on
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad over the famous
Cheat River, in the county of Preston. It was
thought that, this immense and costly structure once
destroyed, the movements of General McClellan, then
operating in that section of the country, would be
9*

102 THE ASHBY COMMAND.
retarded until such time as the authorities at Rich
mond could push the column by way of Staunton
into Western Virginia, with which they hoped to
relieve the remnant of Confederates lately commanded
by the noble but ill-starred Garnett. Moreover, this
work demolished, months must necessarily elapse
before communication could be restored between the
Federal Capital and the great West through that
important commercial and military artery, the Bal
timore & Ohio Railroad. Hence the importance
whieh President Davis attached to the immediate and
thorough destruction of the bridge and trestle-work
over Cheat River. Col. McDonald moved his com
mand from Winchester along the Northwestern Turn
pike on the morning of the 17th of June, 1861,
going into camp the evening of that day at the Hang
ing Rock, Hampshire County, 28 miles from Win
chester and 15 from Romney. All that energy and
despatch could accomplish in the carrying out of the
President's orders was done by that noble old man,
who, though in heroism and patriotic devotion to the
interests of the South he was himself well represented
in the Confederate Army by nearly a quarter of a
score of gallant sons, yet in despite of age and phys
ical infirmity, deemed it none other than a high
privilege and duty to give to the service of his country
whatever experience and acquirement a thoroughly
conducted military education may have brought him.
And in this connection the Avriter takes pleasure
in specially referring to a separate Memoir of that
gallant old soldier, Avhich Avill appear Avith this, — as

ROMNEY. 103
will also those of Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Marshall,
Major Samuel Myers, Capt. R. Ashby, and Capt.
Sheetz, — names eminently worthy to be associated
together on the scroll of History.
The next day the command pushed on to Romney,
the county-seat of Hampshire, situated on the east
bank of the South Branch of the Potomac, 43 miles
northAvest of Winchester, and 27 miles from Cumber
land, in Western Maryland. Here Col. McDonald
bent all his energies toward perfecting the organi
zation of the Regiment, supplying its necessities in
the way of cartridges in the most novel manner,
bringing into requisition all the leaden pipe, &c.,
moulding bullets, making distinctive badges, perfect
ing drill, as well as looking after the wants of the
commissary and .quartermaster's departments. Up
to this period we were in the dark as to the move
ments of the Federal column under Gen. McClellan,
and, wishing to ascertain its exact whereabouts, and
the probable plans of that officer. Colonel McDonald
sent out a special scout composed of two young men,
who volunteered for tliis perilous but important
duty, — who were charged to penetrate the enemy's lines
as far as possible, and ascertain everything of impor
tance occurring in the Federal camp. The writer
well remembers how carefully these two young men
(the one Capt. Magruder, of Rockingham, noAV mus
tered out of service by the hand of death while nobly
commanding his company in the same old regiment
in later days, — the other still living) were charged
by their old chief not to make any rash venture of

104 R O MNE Y.
their lives, but to be circumspect, very watchful and
cautious. Pending the absence of this important
scouting party, the camp was a scene of busy pre
paration. Horses were in the hands of the smith to
be shod, the transportation of the regiment over
hauled and remodelled ; the commissary department
received due attention ; while Sui;geon Burns was
very busy in imparting to everything in his depart
ment that system and method Avhich characterized
him as one of the ablest administrative officers of the
Medical Staff of the Confederate Army. Nor were
Col. McDonald's operations confined to the camp.
The better to secure forage, &c., without the trouble
of transportation, under orders from the Colonel,
Lieut.-Colonel Ashby had selected his camp six miles
below Romney on the river, upon the estate of Col.
George Washington, and from this point had estab
lished a picket post across the river, from which
scouting parties were sent out almost daily in the
direction of, and even to the very outskirts of Cum
berland, Md., then in possession of the Federal
troops, composing an Indiana regiment. Col. Wallace
commanding. Whilst this actiA^e scouting was going
on from " Camp Washington," Col. McD., from his
headquarters, was busy in gathering up some of those
pestilent fellows, living in the eastern and northern
parts of the county, known in the pai'lance of that
day as " Union men." The great mass of the people
of South Branch Valley County, as in the South at
large, were devotedly attached to the interests of the
young government just then emerging into well defined

R 0 MNE Y. 105
existence. They loved the South dearly; and though
their devotion to her interests was destined to cost
them and their families very dearly in pillage, murder,
rapine, and every indignity which befell the true
Virginia borderman, yet they stopped not to count
the cost, but gave largely of their treasure and blood
to the Confederate cause. At present it is your hard
lot to bear the hardships of the West Virginia mis
rule; yet, true men living on the slopes of the Alle
ghany, despair not ! Such sacrifices as you have
made and are now making in the cause Avhich you
deem just, in the economy of God's dealings with
men will not go for nought ! But while the mass of
the people were true to us, there were a few men of
the baser sort who Avere insensible to anything like
the emotions of that State pride which still charac
terizes all true Virginians. These men were ready to
prowl around the Confederate camp and bear, either
directly or indirectly, such intelligence of our move
ments to the Federal officers as might enable them to
make fair weather for themselves and secure protec
tion for their property. It is possible, and doubtless
there were some instances of men born and educated
in Virginia, who in the late struggle allied them
selves with the North on the high principles of
patriotism and sense of duty; but in very largely the
greater number of instances their patriotism, was of
that order so aptly described by a distinguished
Federal officer once in command of the Shenandoah
District, when he said of that class and to their faces,
that theirs Avas the patriotism which enabled them to

106 RICHARD ASHBY.
sell butter to the soldiers at $1 per pound, and
secured to their property and persons Federal pro
tection. As has been said. Col. McDonald was busy arrest
ing and placing out of harm's way several " of just
such characters; and this was a duty fraught with
peculiar peril to the scouting parties having the mat
ter in charge ; for the territory betAveen the Confeder
ate camp at Romney, and that of the Federals at
Cumberland, full of mountain gorges, Avith the lines
of march to and fro easily flanked, was fiill of these
men, who are as intimately acquainted with the
bridle-paths over the mountains as the deer were
with their oavu haunts, and could easily carry infor
mation to the Federal officer at Cumberland of the
whereabouts and movements of Confederate scouting
parties. Among these men there was one who had
made himself peculiarly obnoxious to us, in that he
was known to be habitually in communication with
Cumberland, and with sinister motives. His arrest
Avas regarded as necessary for the security of the Con
federate camp, for the Federal scouting parties under
the lead of this class of men became daily more and
more bold, so as to lead to the impression that an
attack in force was contemplated. His arrest was
determined upon, and its conduct Avas committed
through Lt.-Col. Ashby to a scouting party of eleven
men, commanded by Capt. Richai'd Ashby, on the
morning of the 26th of June. Ill-starred day in the
Confederate calendar ! though the loss sustained was
in some degree compensated in the exhibition of such

RICHARD ASHBY. 107
prowess and contempt for danger Avhen in duty's path
as to inspire the whole youth of the South from Po
tomac to Rio Grande Avith loftiest devotion to the
Confederate flag, whose folds that day, baptized in the
blood of an Ashby, became more sacred to every man,
woman, and child, in that then smiling and beautiful
domain. Little did Col. Ashby think, when giving
the order to his brother, what was to befall them
both before the sun went down behind the neighbor
ing mountains. Wisely is it ordered that, to hu
man eyes, the future is thickly clouded, else coming
events might cast such dark shadows before them
as to block up the path of duty even to an Ashby.
The Colonel gave the order in his quiet, gentle man
ner ; and soon the stalwart form of Richard Ashby
might have been seen as it cast its shadow in the
rising sun on the clear waters of the Potomac.
Riding immediately to the picket statiori, he took
with him the men there on duty, leaving a small
squad to do picket on that part of the line in his ab
sence, and then hied him away to obey his last
order. The writer, the Sunday afternoon before,
while riding from head-quarters to hold religious
services with the detachment at Camp Washington,
had an extended conversation with the Captain, and
reference to the diary written up the next day attests
the pleasure which it afforded him. — "I found Capt.
Ashby a most agreeable companion, and, for one who
had spent much of his time in the far West fighting
Indians, a very poli.shed and refined gentleman. I
was particularly struck Avith his superb horseman-

108 RICHARD ASHBY.
ship, and thought I had never seen such perfect mas
tery of his superb black stallion as was indicated by
his easy, graceful seat and the perfect accommodation
of his every movement to that of the noble animal
which he rode." — [Diary, June 23d, 1861, Romney,
Va.] But the Captain was not as well mounted as usual
this morning, his favorite horse being a little out of
order from the hard duty upon which he had recently
been placed. He was riding a very serviceable hut
an inactive animal. At the head of the scouting
party, and at rather a rapid gate, he rode on, now
through some narrow defile through the mountain,
and now over some spur of the Alleghany, until
about ten o'clock he found himself near the spot
where he hoped to make the arrest. Here, observing
the most watchful precaution, a reconnoissance was
made, but, much to his chagrin and disappointment,
he soon found that "the bird had fiown." Not sus
picious of the deadly trap into Avhich he was about
to fall, he determined to push the scout nearer to the
Federal lines, and advancing with this view, soon
struck the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
where it makes its serpentine Avay over that rough
country. He had not proceeded very far along the bed of
the road, having turned off once to avoid a cattle-
guard along the bed of the track, when as suddenly as
the riving bolt from a cloudless sky, a volley of
musketry was poured into the ranks. Rapidly, and
as best he could on the narrow track, he formed his

RICHARD ASHBY. 109
little band to receive the shock of the coming charge,
when, seeing that he was largely outnumbered, he de
termined to Avithdraw to where the advantage of po
sition might in some degree compensate for disparity
in force. While endeavoring to accomplish this
manoeuvre, himself bringing up the rear, the Federal
column of nearly an hundred mounted men made a
spirited charge. The Confederate force, moving
rapidly doAvn the track of the railroad, found them
selves confronted by the cattle-guard above referred
to. Most of the men were able to make the leap,
but the Captain looking behind, firing rapidly as he
retreated, Avas precipitated by the fall of his awkward,
clumsy horse into the cattle-guard, upon the bed of
the railroad. The fall, though a severe one, did him
no serious damage, and when fairly on his feet it was
only to realize his danger. He called to his men to
shelter themselves, and by this time the young Vir
ginian found himself alone, unhorsed, and charged
by a large body of men, rapidly firing upon him as
they advanced. The firing, as is usual in such cases,
was too high, and no ball touched him. Firmly
planting himself on the track, he determined to sell
his life as dearly as possible. For a while, as the
track was narrow, he held his own against the fear
ful odds, unhorsing those leading the charge, by well-
directed shots. The fight grew more and more des
perate, until some of the enemy, making their way
off the track, surrounded him and brought on the
most terrible hand-to-hand, death-to-death struggle.
The odda were too great, and after the most terrible
10

no RICHARD ASHBY.
rencontre, Richard Ashby, overpowered by superior
force, fell to the ground, Aveakened by nearly a half
score of wounds, all in front. When prostrate, the
enemy pressed thickly around the unarmed man, and
when gasping out a feeble reply to the question, "Are
you a Secessionist?" he received a terrible wound in
the abdomen from a bayonet-thrust by the hand of a
creature Avhom to call a man Avere inhuman. Whether
or not his foes supposed that succor Avas near, they
rapidly rified his pockets, even taking off his spurs,
and left him alone to die. He was a man of very
great vitality ; and a slight reaction ensuing, he
had barely strength to reach some bushes a few feet
from the road, under the shade of which his flicker
ing instinct brought him to seek shelter from the
burning rays of the sun. But in the providence of
God it Avas not his to die unaided or unavenged.
The effort to reach the shade Avas so far ex'hausting
as to render him perfectly insensible for the time. It
so happened that Col. Ashby, who in person was
making a scout in a direction other than that of his
brother, informed by a friendly mountain girl that
heavy firing had been heard in the direction taken by
his brother, determined to advance as rapidly as pos
sible in that direction. At the head of a scout of nine
or ten men, the agile, lithe form of the Colonel might
have been seen as he pressed the spur home in the
flank of his noble dark bay, and impetuously rode
ouAvard to the spot of the desperate encounter, fol
lowed by his faithful troopers.
"SAvifter than an eagle, stronger than a lion," Avas

RICHARD ASHBY. Ill
Turner Ashby that day. Arriving at the spot, he
was not sloAV to see that hot work had been going on ;
but not meeting any one from whom to learn de
finitely what had taken place other than that a des
perate fight had occurred, he pushed madly on the
line of retreat taken by the enemy. Such was the
impetuosity and rapidity of the movement, that he
was not long in coming abreast of the enemy as they
occupied Kelly's Island — a long, narroAV island in
the Potomac. Discovering them just as they Avere
in the act of firing, he rapidly wheeled his men off
the track of the railroad, formed them under the
cover of the embankment, and with a shout which
made the woods ring, he cried out, " Charge them,
men, and at them with your boAvie-knives ;" and then
dashing his horse into the Potomac, closely folloAved
by ten dauntless spirits, proceeded himself to obey
the command. The fire which they now encountered
Avas a close and heavy one, emptying two of the
saddles, ju.st as the little band reached the island.
" Reserve your fire, men, and at them Avith your
bowie-knives," cried the Colonel; "bring up the
reserve ancl drive away at them." And at them they
went. Such impetuosity and such dash were irre
sistible, and soon the Colonel saAv the effeot of his
strategy and heroism in the blue backs of a retreating
foe. Suspecting that some harm had befallen his
brother, he fought with a terrible courage, and those
who saAV the Avild glance of his eye and heard the
shout of his " Charge them, boys, charge them ! "
will never, never forget it. The charge being pressed

112 RICHARD ASHBY.
with increasing energy, he was soon left in mastery
of the field — a brilliant victory, though by no means
a bloodless one. As was observed, Avhen the assault
ing party reached the island, a AA'ell-directed Federal
volley carried Avith it death-wounds to two noble
spirits. Poor O'Fortin, a K. G. C, a brave man
and a most accomplished scout, fell to rise no more,
while his spirit was soon followed in its flight to the
other world by that of young Foley, of Loudon
County, Va. Young Ladd, of Mo., and later of
General Sterling Price's staff, received a painfiil
though not dangerous wound in the arm. There was
one other man wounded. The Colonel, though
always in the front, having emptied eleven out of
twelve cylinders of his revolvers, killing three of his
antagonists, escaped with only a slight wound upon
the inner side of his leg from a ball which passed
through his horse, but with which wound this high-
mettled animal bore his noble rider through the fight,
and at the close, when the welkin was ringing with
the cheers of the little band of victorious Confederates,
he fell exhausted from the loss of blood. Fit requiem
for such an animal.
The loss to the enemy is not exactly remembered;
but the writer, in an account furnished to the Rich
mond Whig at the time, written by himself under
the direction of Colonel Ashby, remembers that it
was more than a man each for the eleven Confederates
who made the charge. Quickly gathering up the
wounded and repairing to the Virginia shore, the
Colonel rapidly returned to the scene of Captain

DEATH OF RICHARD ASHBY. 113
Richard Ashby's desperate engagement in the morn
ing-— for he had been nearly frenzied upon finding
among the articles captured on the Island, his brother's
spurs and horse. Searching diligently, Capt. A. was
found, still alive, but with scarcely strength left to
ask for a drop of water. Those who witnessed the
tenderness of the Colonel toward his brother, Avill
remember how completely changed he was from the
man who a little while ago led the desperate charge
for the rescue. He was now as gentle as a woman.
Some spirit was administered, and the Captain rally
ing, on a blanket stretched across two elastic poles,
he was carried across the mountain, by slow and easy
steps, on the shoulders of the men who loved to follow
him, to the hospitable mansion of Col. Washington,
near " Camp Washington." Here the Avriter had the
melancholy pleasure of nursing and tending him
during the week he survived his eight desperate
wounds, and it affords him a saddened pleasure to
remember how uncomplainingly he bore his great
suffering, and with what tenderness he was ministered
to as none other than woman can minister. The sur
geons thought he might recover, so great was his
vitality and such a desperate effort did nature make to
right herself; but after enduring seven days of terrible
suffering, sufficiently rational at first to make to his
brother, the Colonel, the recital upon which this
description is chiefly based, the spirit of the younger
Ashby passed away on the 3d of July, 1861.
It has been thought that the following letter from
Col. Ashby to his sister, Mrs. Moncure, Avould fully
10*

114 DEATH OF RICHARD ASHBY.
exemplify as well his touching grief upon this occa
sion, as the lofty patriotism animating him in thus
making thia costly sacrifice to the cause of Liberty.
Camp Washington, July Ith, 1861.
Dear Dora :
I received your letter a few days ago, and take thia evening
to write you a few lines, urging and entreating, that you may
all look upon our affliction as patriots, not selfishly mourning
over our untimely loss, but regarding it as a sacrifice made
upon the altar of our country, whioh we ought to congratu
late ourselves that we could furnish. Poor Dick went into the
war like myself, not to regard himself or our friends, but to
serve our country in this the time of peril. I know your Ma
and Mary will all be too good soldiers to grudge giving to your
country the dearest saorifioe that you could provide. Yours is
the good fortune to be called upon to provide so great au oflfer-
ing. — His country has lost the services of a brave man with
a strong arm, which he proved upon her enemies in losing
his life. Aa he has ever won praises from them for the greatest
bravery they ever saw, you all (and I mean this for you all)
do not know what a weight it would take from me to know
you bore our loss like soldiers. I had rather it had been my.
self. He was younger and had one more tie to break than I.
But seeing him through the time of his prostration from hia
wounds, I know that he felt that he was but losing his life in
the cause of duty, and seemed entirely resigned, not despond
ing at the doubts which he knew there existed of his life. We
all believed a part of the time that he would recover; at one
time he thought so too. But the exposure without attention
for several hours upon the battle-field so prostrated him as to
make it hard for reaction to take place, which kept him from
having any appetite. He lived until the eighth day, sufi'ering
very little for one so cut to pieces.
He was buried with all the honors of war, and never was
greater respect paid to the memory of one mau; it was indeed

DEATH OF RICHARD ASHBY. 115
a triumph of his bravery. I had him buried in a beautiful
cemetery in Jlomney; and should I live through the war, I
will have him moved to Fauquier. Mine has been the heaviest
loss. I lose the strength of his arm in the fight as well as
the companion of my social hours. I mean to bear it as a
soldier, and not as one who in this time for sacrifices regards
only his own loss. You must all try to bear it in the same
way. Let it be your boast that you have given a brother for
the safety of your country and the preservation of your homes,
and Ma that she has given a son for suoh a cause as ours.
When men die as he has died, (and as he prepared to die), for
liberty, it shows our enemies that we cannot be conquered.
It saves the lives of many
* George is well and sends his love to his wife. Our move
ments from here are not yet determined. I may not write
often, but should there be anything the matter will do so at
once. Yours truly. Turner Ashby.
The body of Capt. Richard Ashby Avas buried with
all the honors of war in the Indian Mound Cemetery,
near Romney, Va. It was touching to see the deep
grief of the whole command as it moved along to the
grave, where " We carved not a line, we raised not a stone,
But left bim alone in his glory."
But the grief of his brother. Turner, was not, as
has been described by a Southern writer, excessive or
demonstrative. He did not break his brother's sabre
and cast the pieces into the grave ; nor did he kneel
to register a vow of revenge. His grief, too deep for
words, was too holy to be tinctured with the earth-
born passion of revenge. Though upon after battle-
* The Colonel's faithful servant.

116 DEATH OF RICHARD ASHBY.
fields the memory of his brother may have made him
charge more desperately, yet that day, as far as out
ward bearing could indicate, there was no admixture
of any passion with his deep grief — the deeper be
cause so silent.
The scout which had been sent out to the west to
ascertain what Gen. McClellan's movements were, re
turned in a few days, and brought information that the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in the neighborhood of
CheatRiver, was well guarded by infantry. It was not
judged prudent to advance to that point with cavalry
alone, leaving a Federal garrison in our rear at Cumber
land, where Col. Lew. Wallace was stationed with an
Indiana Regiment. Had as much then been known
of Wallace's soldierly qualities, as was afterwards
brought to view in the summer of 1864, during his
splendid campaign to the Monocacy and back again
at a double-quick, all covered with mud and not with
laurels, his presence at Cumberland might have been
ignored. On Wednesday, July 17th, Col. McDonald received
orders to repair with his command to Winchester,
and on Thursday, bright and early, the head of the
column took the direction of the Great Valley, then
the field of important movements.

CHAPTER V.
BATTLE OF MANASSAS—BOLIVAR
HEIGHTS— FLOWING SPRING.
COL. ASHBY reached Winchester on the evening
of the 19th July, 1861. Here the cause of the
order to return from South Branch Valley became
apparent. Gen. J. E. Johnston, in command of the
Confederate forces in the Valley of Virginia, with
head-quarters at Winchester, after out-manceuvring
and baffling Gen. Patterson, had gathered around him
his gallant little army, ready either to resist or attack
the enemy, as might in his judgment seem best. But
this body of devoted men was not to remain long in
active. Thursday morning, July 18th, Gen. Beaure
gard sent a despatch from Manassas Junction, inform
ing Gen. Johnston that McDowell was beginning to
indicate an attack upon him, and asking him to hasten
over as rapidly as possible. There was not a moment
to be lost. Thursday, about midday, the order to break
up camp came, and the good people of Winchester
thought they were about to be left to the tender mer
cies of Patterson and Cadwallader, Avho lay in the
vicinity of Bunker's Hill some twelve miles off.
Ashby's command was doubtless ordered down to
cover the movement in reinforcing Beauregard. He
(1173

118 BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
spent Saturday, the 20th, in a bold scout along, and
even within the Federal lines ; whereby it was dis
covered that the Federal General was utterly ignorant
that the advance guard of the reinforcements sent by
Johnston to Beauregard were by that time at Manas
sas Junction, ready to take part in the battle of the
next day. The scout having secured the desired in
formation, Ashby's face was next morning turned
homeward, but Avas far from being homeward bound,
as he rode at the head of his command through Mill
wood over the Shenandoah at Berry's Ferry, and
across the Blue Ridge at Ashby's Gap, camping
about nightfall at Upperville. As we approached
the mountains, the sound of artillery was distinctly
heard, but attracted little attention, none dreaming
that the struggle for the first great victory of the war
was then going on upon the plains of Manassas, which
have twice witnessed brilliant Confederate victories.
Next morning the command, still ignorant, rode on
and went into camp in the neighborhood of the
battle-field, near the little hamlet of Haymarket.
Col. Ashby's mortification can be better imagined
than described when he learned that he had missed
the first regular battle of the Avar. Next morning,
having no marching orders, he with scA'^eral others
rode over the battle-field. He expressed the deepest
regret at not having been present. There is little
doubt that he too Avould have Avon honor Avhere the
modest Brigadier-General T. J. Jackson won the
name of " Stonewall."
This narrative will not allow the writer to go

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 119
largely into the details of the battle, nor more than
intimate how Gen. Beauregard was foiled in the first
plan of taking the initiative step, and hurling his
columns upon the enemy at or near Centreville by
the non-arrival of Johnston's reinforcements; and
how his second plan of sending his two reserve bri
gades to reinforce his left until he could relieve them
by moving his centre and right wing across Bull Run
and making an attack upon the enemy's left flank
and rear, was brought to naught by the miscarriage
of orders; — nor later, when this Giant of Battle,
with these links broken, still seized the chain of de
feat and bound it closely around a braggart foe, Avhen
he and Gen. Johnfston encouraged the men fighting
under the eye of Jackson to hold their ground until
his Bill cher. Gen. Kirby Smith, came, and made the
victory, to this time doubtful, a brilliant one.
The able biographer of Stonewall Jackson (Rev.
R. L. Dabney, D.D.), in mentioning the causes as
signed for the barrenness of this victory, says : " It
was accounted for, in part, by the paucity of the
cavalry ; but this excuse Avas no justification, because
the cavalry in hand, of which only two companies
had been engaged in the actual combat, Avas not per
tinaciously pressed after the fugitives, but paused
even before it met with any solid resistance from
them." This comment is so well worded as to leave
a doubt upon the mind of the reader as to whether
the fact that the cavalry was not vigorously pressed
upon the enemy is chargeable to Gen. Beauregard,
Johnston, or Stuart. It was ever a cause of deep re-

120 BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
gret to the whole brigade that Ashby, who had often
hunted over the whole ground upon which the battle
was fought, was not present. Possibly a victory
which cost a Bee and a Bartow would not have
proved so barren.
We received orders which gave us a night march
to Bristow Station. If the reader happen to remem
ber, the first battle of Manassas was fought about the
full of the moon. Tuesday night, July 23d, as we rode
along at the head of the column, an incident showed
Col. Ashby's fine horsemanship. We had been dis
cussing the late battle, when, the conversation flag
ging, the Colonel fell into one of those moody rev
eries which seemed to grow upon him after the death
of his brother, — suddenly, as we passed a thickly
wooded ravine, a dog leaped the fence into the road.
The spirited horse he was riding bounded from the
earth, and wheeling at the same instant, turned com
pletely to the opposite direction. Sudden as the
moment was, it did not shake the Colonel in his sad
dle, for, a moment after, he was moving on to make
way for the foremost men of the column. We slept
at Bristow Station. About daylight next morning,
a plain, but estimable old citizen of Prince Wil
liam came to the door of the corn-crib in which the
Colonel was sleeping, and insisted upon seeing him.
To this unreasonable request some of the party ob
jected, but the old man would not be satisfied until
he had gratified his curiosity to see the man whom
he said he " knew rode very hard in a fox-hunt, but,
he believed, fought the Yankees even harder." Early

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 121
that morning Ave were ordered to report at Staunton.
This Avas the- first intimation we had of that " mas
terly inactivity," which lost to the Confederacy all
the fruits of her first great victory, and was wellnigh
costing even the army Avhich Avon it.
The line of march from Bristow Station to Staun
ton led Ashby near his own home, through Rappa
hannock County and into the Valley at New Market,
by way of Thornton's Gap. Many would have
availed themselves of the opportunity, Avhen so near
home, to stop and look after their private affairs, but
not Col. Ashby. Never from the day he entered the
service was he furloughed or absent from his post.
A soldier neither by profession or choice, he was
bound to the service of his country by the sternest
sense of duty, and never did he allow himself to be
betrayed into the slightest neglect of it. Nothing
Avorthy of note occurred on the march, saA^e that it
was gratifying to see that the heroism of our young
commander at Kelly's Island had not been forgotten
by a grateful people. All along the road people
pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the Colonel.
It was beautiful to see the almost maidenly modesty
with which he receiA'cd their attention and marks of
admiration. Many officers similarly admired would
have left souvenirs behind, in kisses for the maidens,
and daguerreotypes for the matrons. Upon reaching
Staunton, the Colonel Avas for a few days under the
impression that our point of destination was that
rough country, so unfriendly to military operations
that it kept even Gen. Lee under a cloud for a time
11

122 BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
when he was confronting Gen. Rosecranz; though
the latter Avas indebted to his superior means of trans
portation, the roughness of the roads, and his vastly
larger force, for his escape from that destruction which
generally befell those who opposed that great Con
federate. Candor induces the confession that no one
Avas particularly pained when orders were received to
march doAvn the Valley and institute a border guard
to protect the growing crops, and what remained of
the old ones, from Federal use or destruction. We
moved by easy marches to the Potomac. Halting at
Winchester, Col. McDonald took six of the ten com
panies with him to the South Branch Valley, to pro
tect its inhabitants from the destructive raids to
which they were subjected. Lt.-Col. Ashby was or
dered to Kearneysville, on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, about midway betAveen Martinsburg and
Harper's Ferry, to protect the men employed in
taking up the materials of the railroad, which had
never been repaired after Gen. Johnston destroyed
its bridges, &c. in the early part ofthe summer. Col.-
Ashby went into camp near the point indicated, and
immediately threw out a chain of pickets around and
to the right and left of Shepherdstown, a village of
some seven or eight hundred inhabitants, lying im
mediately on the Potomac. Here a previous ac
quaintance betAveeh Col. Ashby and the Hon. Alex.
R. Boteler ripened into a friendship only to be
destroyed by death. " Fountain Rock," * the hos-
* The residences of Mr. Boteler, Mr. Edmund I. Lee, and
Mr. Andrew Hunter were all burned by order of Gen. D.

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 123
pitable dwelling of Mr. Boteler, will long be remem
bered by many a tired and hungry soldier, Avho ever
found a Avelcome from its kind inmates.
While the Federal force employed along this
border was not, at that time, a large one, it was suffi
ciently so to have proved very annoying to the in
habitants of this section, but for the watchful eye of
Ashby. He was untiring in his efforts to catch these
raiders, as they from time to time made their forays
upon the persons and property of this devoted peo
ple. But they were very careful how they ventured
over the riA'er. A party of our command catching a
body of the black-mail gentry near Scrabble-town,
punished them very severely, and drove them back
into their lines. On one occasion the Colonel, im
provising a field-piece out of one of the guns left by
Gen. Johnston, annoyed them exceedingly by placing
it upon a hill commanding their camp, where, having
it well charged and aimed by an amateur artillerist *
at what he took to be their head-quarters, he caused
such a stampede as gave us a very vivid idea of
Federal fleetness at Bull Run. The Colonel enjoyed
the fun very much in his quiet way. As we were
returning to camp, we stopped to take supper at
Fountain Rock, where an incident illustrative of
Southern character occurred. It was late when we
Hunter, TJ. S. A. As this Hunter is by many thought to be
a Virginian, it may be proper to say he ia from New Jersey.
* Capt. John A. Averett, afterwards of the 58th Alabama
Volunteers, killed in a heavy skirmish immediately before
Atlanta was evacuated in August, 1864.

124 BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
reached the house, and the hospitality of the inmates
had been well taxed by the many hungry troopers
who had preceded us at the table. Among them was
one Vho seemed to relish Mrs. Boteler's nice cakes,
&c. very much. After a hearty meal he arose, and
turning to that lady, said, "What do I owe you.
Madam?" "Nothing at all," was the reply. "If I
had it in my heart to charge a Confederate soldier for
a meal, my husband would sue for a divorce imme
diately." The soldier insisted upon paying for his
supper, saying he had been " used to pay for what he
got all his life," but was obliged to put up his purse
without spending a cent, and was soon on his way to
camp. Col. Ashby laughed very heartily at the inci
dent, jocularly remarking to Mrs. B. that she made
" a most excellent wife for a member of Congress."
Trivial as it is, this incident forcibly portrays two
features of the times — the honesty of the soldiers,
and the patriotic liberality of the women.
The work of destroAdng the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad in this vicinity being thoroughly accom
plished, Col. Ashby moved his camp to " Wheatland,"
the estate of Mr. George Turner who was killed
by the Brown raiders, lying about four miles south
of Charlestown. This movement was for the purpose
of confronting a force which the enemy was collecting
in and around Harper's Ferry, under that officer Avho
is best known as " Geary of Kansas notoriety." For
some time the attitude of the Federal force was not
at all threatening. Meanwhile, Ashby, who was
never idle, employed his time in bold scouts up the

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 125
Potomac. An incident which happened during this
time will serve to shoAV Ashby's peculiar delicacy.
Among other good old customs followed by Vir
ginians before the war was that of meeting annually,
generally after harvest, to spend a few weeks together
at some of the numerous watering-places. The son
of the keeper of one of these watering-place boarding-
houses, AA'as a great favorite with most of the younger
people from his endeavors to promote amusements
among them ; an artist's eye rendering him especially
useful in getting up fancy balls, tableaux vivants, &c.
This person after the breaking-out of the war had, it
was said, tried to raise a company for the Confederate
service, and failing to do so, had salved his wounded
vanity by going over to those who could and did
reward his "loyalty" by the coveted commission.
Spurred alike by a desire to show his new-born zeal,
and by his base vindictiveness toward those who had
failed to appreciate his merits, he soon made himself
so obnoxious as to render his arrest desirable. Ashby
ordered out a party for that purpose; then remarked
to one of his officers, that, if the prisoner were brought
in, he wished him sent on to Richmond at once, —
" For," said he, " I do not wish to see him." The
gentle-hearted knight could not bear to see one whom
he had known under happier circumstances, in the
degraded position of a renegade.
Geary's force now amounted to fifteen hundred or
two thousand men. Ashby's had been increased by
some three or four hundred militia, sent to him from
Winchester by Gen. Carson, then commanding all the
11*

126 BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
militia of the District. His camp was moved a mile
or a mile and a half north of Charlestown. Scouting
parties daily marked the Federal movements, but for
a long time reported no material changes. Every
thing was quiet, and the young officers of the com
mand spent the time they could spare from duty in
the delightful society of Charlestown. But Geary
one morning put an end to their pleasant life, by
evincing a determination to make a forward move
ment. Col. Ashby decided to meet and give him
battle, for this purpose making the following disposi
tion of the troops under his command, composed of
militia and companies A, B, C, and G of his own
regiment, commanded respectively by Captains W.
Turner, (promoted after the death of Capt. Richard
Ashby,) Winfield, Myers, and Mason, reinforced by
two companies of caA'alry, raised for the special de
fence of Jefferson County, (but afterwards most use
fully blended with the Ashby command,) commanded
by Captains R. W. Baylor and John Henderson.
With this force, and the one gun before mentioned,
roughly mounted on common Avagon-wheels, Colonel
Ashby moved towards Harper's Ferry, determined,
if he found the enemy advancing, to take the initia
tive and begin the attack upon him. His movements
were rapid, and as he neared the enemy on Bolivar
Heights, an eminence between the tAvo rivers, and
overlooking Harper's Ferry, he formed the following
line of battle. The militia from Warren, Shenan
doah, and Rockingham, with caA'alry companies A
and C, forined the centre ; company B, and that of

BOLIVAR HEIGHTS. 127
Capt. Baylor, Avere on the right ; while company G,
and that of Capt. Henderson, were on the left. The
left was ordered to strike the Potomac at the " Old
Furnace," drive in the enemy's pickets and press the
right flank. The companies on the right were to
move to the Shenandoah River and drive in any force
they might flnd. The centre under Ashby's imme
diate eye Avas pushed forAvard in fine style. Mean
time, Geary, Avith a regularly formed line of battle,
moved out to meet the attack. The skirmish began
and the fire soon became quite hot. The old gun,
worked by the excellent cannonier, Canfield, whose
accurate aim was wonderful, did good service for a
time ; but the axle-tree breaking, it had to be aban
doned. The militia stood up to their work like men;
they seized some of the houses on the outskirts of
Bolivar, and thus sheltered, poured a telling fire into
the enemy from their mountain rifies. The enemy
was pressed back until strengthened by reinforce
ments from the other side of the Potomac, Avhen they
again advanced. For some time the militia fought
admirably. There Avere some whose gallantry was
conspicuous.* Col. Ashby, finding it impossible to
keep his line steadily together in face of the increas
ing forces of the enemy, quietly fell back to a neigh
boring hill, known as " School-House Hill," and
re-forming his line, awaited Geary's approach. The
cavalry Avhicli had been sent to strike the enemy's
* Col. T. B. Massio, (afterwards Col. Eleventh Virginia
Cavalry,) commanding a company of Warren militia, behaved
with marked gallantry, as did some other militia officers.

128 FLOWING SPRING.
flanks simultaneously, if possible, advanced steadily,
and encountering the skirmish line drove it in ; but
upon flnding the militia had given way in the centre,
very properly withdrew and rejoined Colonel Ashby.
Colonel Ashby remained in line of battle on School-
House Hill until nearly dark, Avhen discovering that
Geary had retired to the Ferry, he ordered his troops
back to camp. During the night, Geary crossed his
men into Maryland, and thus ended his attempts upon
the Valley for that Fall. Our men at once took
posses.sion of Harper's Ferry. Col. Ashby had asked
for, and had every reason to expect, assistance from
the officer in command of some Confederate artillery
upon Loudon Heights, whom he desired to throw
some shots into Geary's right flank. It will be
readily perceived how much his failure to comply
influenced the result.' As it was, however, he met
and checked an enemy over twice his own force, aided
by improved artillery, Avhile no military man would
have called one gun, mounted upon common wagon-
wheels, which giving Avay, forced us to abandon it,
anything but a ludicrous makeshift. The Confeder
ate loss Avas small, two or three killed and fifteen
wounded. Among the latter Avas Captain John Y.
Beall, then a private in the Second Virginia Infantry,
Stonewall Brigade, who, being at home on furlough,
volunteered for the fight. We learned from citizens
of Harper's Ferry that the enemy took over quite a
number of dead and Avounded Avhen they crossed the
Potomac that night. We reached our camp at " Flow
ing Spring" about an hour after dark. Our wounded

FLOWING SPRING. 129
had been carried to Charlestown, where the noble
women soon fitted up the Court-house for the recep
tion of the poor fellows, for whom they performed
every office that mercy and sympathy could dictate, —
going day after day to supply their wants, read to
them, and Avrite for them to the loved ones at home.
The writer well remembers that about nine o'clock
in the evening after the fight, Ashby, passing the
camp, rode into town, but upon no selfish errand.
His dark figure passed on to the Court-house, and he
went in to visit his wounded. At every pallet he
stooped down to speak Avords of cheer, ask when and
how its occupant was wounded, and to learn what he
could do for him. This tenderness and sympathy will
serve to account for the devoted attachment of those
brave men with Avhom he won his fame. How great
this regard was will be shown in the following extract
from a late paper — the Lynchburg Republican.
"A Returned Confederate. — The latest, and
perhaps the last to come, returned Confederate was in
this city Saturday, direct from the late enemy's pris
ons. His experience since the surrender has been
both eventful and tragic. Soon after the termination
of the war he Avas, Avith other prisoners at Johnson's
Island, liberated, but was not furnished with trans
portation. Being without money, he was at a loss
how to get to his home, Avhich is in Augusta County
in this State, nine miles from Staunton. He, how
ever, made his way to Indiana afoot, and, in passing
through a town of that State, went into a hotel,

130 FLOWING SPRING.
thinking he might meet with some one who would
give him a.ssistance. A number of men were at the
bar drinking, among them a Federal officer, who Avas
talking about the war, and, among other things, said
that he had taken an oath to kill every one of Ashby's
men he ever met with. Without stopping to weigh
the consequences, our returned hero spoke up, on the
impulse of the moment, and said, ' He was one of
Ashby's men.' The officer at once drcAv a pistol and
fired at him three times, each ball taking effect, but
not in vital points. Our Confederate, like a wounded
lion, rushed on him, wrenched the weapon from his
grasp, and shot the officer dead with a remaining ball.
The Confederate was arrested, throAvn into prison,
where he suffered long months of confinement, and it
was only very recently that he was brought to trial,
which resulted in his final acquittal. He then started
again for home, and reached here Saturday morning
by the Tennessee train. He stopped at the Norvell
House, where he was recognized by gentlemen who
knew him and vouched for his respectability and reli
ability. He also had with him a copy of the records
in the trial, properly authenticated, corroborating his
statements. He was furnished with assistance and
started for his home Sunday morning. His name is
Simpson, and he Avas a member of Ashby's command,
while that knightly chieftain rode his wondrous
rounds, and Avas the first to reach his noble form
when he fell."
The next morning an official report of the engage
ment was forwarded to the Secretary of War, with

FLOWING SPRING. 131
the information that the Federal Government was
organizing an army at Frederick City, Maryland, for
the invasion of the Shenandoah Valley. Upon the
reception ofthis intelligence, Gen. Jackson Avas ordered
from the army immediately under Gen. Johnston at
Manassas Junction, to take command of all the forces
in the Valley of Virginia, on the 4th of Nov., 1861.
One of Gen. Jackson's first steps was to send for Col.
Ashby that he might learn from him the position and
probable strength of the enemy at all points along
the Potomac. This was their first meeting since
Jackson had won his glorious surname of Stonewall.
The Colonel returned from the interview in excel
lent spirits, and was evidently much pleased with his
ncAV General.
Colonel Ashby had been so much impeded in his
operations by the want of artillery, that he deter
mined upon the organization of a battery to be
attached to his command. Fortunately, about this
time there Avere four young Virginians seeking to
make themselves useful to Ashby in his defence of
their border-homes, viz. : Preston Chew, James Mc
Carty, James Thompson, and James H. Williams.
The first three Avere ex-cadets of the Virginia Mili
tary Institute, the la.st a native of Shenandoah, but
more recently a practising lawyer in Dubuque, Iowa,
and a inember of the State Legislature. With young
ChcAV as Captain, and the others as Lieutenants, the
renoAvned artillery, known as Chew's Battery, Avas
rapidly organized and brought to a state of marked
effici en CA'.

132 MARTINSBURG.
In a short time our camp was removed from "Flow
ing Spring" to Martinsburg, the county-seat of Berk
ley. Here the severity of the weather seeraed to
warrant an exchange from our tents to some houses
left vacant by those connected with the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad. We accordingly moved into them.
It is AVorthy of remark that neither noAV nor at any
other time, did Col. Ashby alloAV his men to take
possession of occupied houses. Our line of pickets
beloAV was still retained, and another extended up the
Potomac in the direction of Bath, Morgan County.
In order to enable Col. Ashby to keep up his long
line, extending from his headquarters, a little in the
rear of Martinsburg, for sixty or seventy miles to the
right and left, from Harper's Ferry until it met that
of Captain Sheetz, left at "Hanging Rock," Hamp
shire County, Gen. Jackson ordered all the com
panies except F, (Capt. Sheetz's,) to report at j\lar-
tinsburg. They came in under the command of
Major Funsten, who, as he had been separated from
us all the fall, Avas Avarmly welcomed.
The men had made themselves as comfortable as
possible, Avhen they and the good people of Martins
burg were much surprised to find Jackson, accompa
nied by his favorite brigade and the militia, marching
through the midst of them. All Avere curious to
know what it meant ; but as Jackson had a way of
keeping his OAvn secrets, they had to folloAV the exam
ple of his own command — Avait and see. The picket
line towards WiUiamsport, Md., Avas advanced, and
Jackson, accompanied by Ashby, mo\'ed along in the

MA R TIN SB UR G. 133
direction of HagerstOAvn, Md. Marching beyond
Hainesville, where he had first unsheathed his sword
in his spirited encounter with Patterson, Jackson or
dered the head of the column to take a road diverging
on the left towards the Potomac, Avhere the river
makes an easterly bend. His object now became ap
parent, and soon under the friendly cover of the
night began the breaking of Dam No. 5, an impor
tant structure among the dams and locks by Avhich the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal maintained its line of
navigation. The importance of thoroughly destroy
ing it Avill be appreciated when it is remembered that,
at that season of the year, if destroyed, it could not
be rebuilt before the next Spring; thereby seriously
affecting the movements of McClellan's army by want
of supplies, of which quantities passed along this
route. Gen. Banks, appreciating the value of this
great feeder to the armies of the United States, at
tempted to protect it ; but, as in later days, and upon
a larger scale, found himself foiled by his Avary and
energetic opponent. The river was closely picketed
above and below. The StoncAvall Brigade, out of
reach of fire under the cover of the hills, was kept
near enough to drive off the enemy, should he at
tempt to dislodge the workmen by crossing. The
immediate management of the work Avas committed
to Capt. Colston, Avho lived upon the adjoining estate
of " Honeywood," and Avas supposed to be familiar
with the structure of the dam. This energetic young
officer was ably seconded by Capt. Holliday * of the
* This gallant officer afterwards rose to the rank of Colonel,
12

134 MARTINSBURG.
33d Virginia Volunteers, Stonewall Brigade, who
with his company of mountaineers had volunteered,
as soon as he learned that the exposure and labor in
the icy water (it was the 10th of December) had de
termined Jackson to call for volunteers to do the
work. As the men, often waist-deep in water in
which ice Avas running, were hammering away at the
substantial structure, they Avere much annoyed by
the enemy's sharp-shooters, Avho from the shelter of
a barn opposite, fired upon every one who showed
himself. Jackson, determined to dislodge them, or
dered a section of the Rockbridge artillery to take
position on a hill commanding the barn. A number
of officers had gathered near to note the accuracy of
the firing, among them Gen. Jackson, Major Preston,
and Col. Ashby. Suddenly the sharp-shooters turned
their attention to this group, and soon made the place
a very hot one. Gen. Jackson ordered the officer in
charge of the guns to protect his men by loading
under the brow of the hill ; and turning to the offi
cers, said, "Our presence is draAA'ing the fire upon
their pieces; let us retire." Others sought shelter,
but Ashby, regardless of the General's intimation of
unnecessary exposure, remained upon the hill, eagerly
watching the effect of every shell, seemingly uncon
scious that he Avas in the least danger. The dam
but losing his right arm at the battle of Cedar Run in the
campaign of 1862, was obliged to leave the field. As a re
ward for his patriotism, the people of his Congressional dis
trict elected him to a seat in the Confederate Congress, in
which position he gave bright promise of distinction.

MARTINSBURG. 135
being at length broken, and Banks making no offensive
demonstrations, Gen. Jackson returned to Winchester,
and Col. Ashby's little military family returned to
their comfortable quarters. During the operations
Ave had two men wounded — one, as Dr. Burns
thought, fatally. The ball entered his chin and
passed out above the eye, but, although the brain was
forced out of the orifice by the convulsive struggles
of the poor felloAv, he ultimately recovered. Capt.
Wingfield used to laugh and say, he had more sense
after losing his brains than before. At this period
Col. Ashby Avas made a member of the Masonic
Order. He was entered an apprentice, raised and
passed to the sublime degree of a Master-Mason, in
Equality Lodge, No. 136, Martinsburg, and to the
close of his life demeaned himself towards friend and
foe as one upon whom the elevating infiuences of
this ancient and universal Brotherhood were fully
exerted.

CHAPTER VI.
BATH CAMPAIGN— HANCOCK— ROMNEY.
THE duty of keeping up and vigilantly attending
to the extended line of outposts, in despite • of
the severity of the weather, was faithfully performed
by Ashby in person, Avho never paused to inquire
into the propriety of this or any other order received
from his commanding officer. His duties were, at
this time, very arduous, as he was too unselfish to
impose upon Major Funsten or any other officer, any
duty Avhich he could perform himself. He ncA'er
seemed to care about himself, but was ever considerate
of all around him. His confidence in Major Funsten
as a brave and energetic officer, was only equalled by
the esteem in which he held him as a friend, and
there were many others among his officers, as Myers?
Wingfield, &c., who could and would haA'e relieved
him of part of his arduous duty, but he seemed
insensible to fatigue, and preferred performing duties
Avhich Avould haA'e taxed the energies of half a
dozen ordinary men ; although he Avas exposed to
snoAV-storms and sharp-shooters, and this constantly
without the slightest recognition of the fact that he
niight be over-worked or struck doAA-n by disease or
bullet. To those familiar Avith him during the winter
(130)

BATH CAMPAIGN. 137
of 1861-62, the above sketch will not appear in any
degree over-draAA-n. The fact of his riding from his
headquarters at Martinsburg to Winchester, return
ing by way of Bloomery and the interjacent picket-
posts, — a distance of nearly seventy miles, in four
teen hours, and on the way chasing and killing a
Federal scout belonging to a party led by the noto
rious Moreland, with whom he unexpectedly carae in
contact, just where the Pack-Horse road intersects
the Paw-Paw grade, at the point Avhere Owen's Ridge
blocks the view towards Bloomery, — will convey some
idea of the rapidity of his movements and the fatigue
undergone. After one of these hard rides, there was
no indication of fatigue other than his desire to sleep
a little later the next morning ; AA'hen at the mess-
table, his staff Avould learn what he had done the day
before, the news at General Jackson's headquarters, &c.,
related in his quiet, unpretending manner. His cour
teous and friendly bearing toAvards his staff won for
him their highest esteem and regard. On long scouts
he generally preferred a few well-tried men to a
larger body, as he could then move as rapidly as he
chose, and with less likelihood of being observed.
When not anticipating any incidents beyond ordinary,
he usually went along in a SAveeping trot, avoiding
hard macadamized roads, to spare his horse's feet,
sometimes attended by two or three troopers, at others
entirely alone.
With many people there is still a disposition to
associate with Ashby so much of the popular hero,
as delineated by the novelist. So marked a tendency,
12*

138 BATH CAMPAIGN.
even within five years of his death, to treat him and
his deeds as mere myths, — that the writer feels com
pelled to dissipate any such impressions by bringing
Ashby before the eye just as he was, in camp, on the
scout, in the skirmish line, at the hospital, around the
camp-fire, and at the mess-table. To make a life-
picture of the man: He usually dressed in a plain
suit of gray, unadorned by any badge of rank. His
jacket was loose-fitting and a little longer than is
usually worn ; his plain gray pantaloons were
covered Avell up the thigh by a pair of serviceable
boots ; his hat was of soft black felt, Avith a moderate-
sized brim, occasionally changed for a cap of Con
federate gray cloth ; add a pair of long buck-skin
gauntlets, and you have his outfit, except the trusty
sabre, pistol, and boAvie-knife, all fastened to the
same belt, and a pair of well-polished steel spurs of
Berlin's make. Thus accoutred and mounted on one
of his fine horses, (he usually kept three,) no man
Avent into a charge Avith more impetuosity, or was
more dreaded by the enemy, than he whose clarion
like " Follow me ! folloAV me ! " was the gathering ery
to friends, and signal for fiight to foes. Dr. Dabney,
in his " Life of Jackson," says of him : " At the sound
of his well-known yell, and the shout of 'Ashby'
from his men, the enemy relinquishing every thought
of resistance, usually fled Avithout pausing to count
the odds in their faA'or." The writer has been thus
particular in presenting this view of Ashby's dress,
inanner, &c., that a correct idea of the man may be
had, by which he may be easily distinguished from

BATH CAMPAIGN. 139
that hero of romance which the novelist has described
under the name of Ashby. The brave, gentle,
modest Ashby was no creature of the imagination,
but one of those remarkable men whom nature affords
at long intervals, that mankind may be stimulated to
noble deeds by their example.
But the time is now coming Avhen Ashby must
take a place so important that he becomes, as Dr.
Dabney aptly remarks, "eyes and ears" to Jackson.
Returning from the partial demolition of Dam No. 5
on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, about the 25th
of December, Gen. Jackson Avas gratified to find that
the reinforcements promised him were near at hand.
These were troops commanded by Gen. Loring, and
had been einployed during the campaign of the past
Summer in Western Virginia, — mud-bound there, it
was thought at Richmond, that they might be made
serviceable by the ever active Jackson.
The enemy were in large force at Romney, where,
alike regardless of the rules of civilized Avarfare, and
the honor of the United States Government, they
were harassing and tormenting the people by all
manner of cruelties, insults, plundering, and destruc
tion. This may be better conceiA'cd when it is told
that in a space of seventeen miles forty-one dAvelling-
houses Avere burned — some of them the homes of
poor AvidoAVS Avitli little children, and this in the dead
of the winter, with the ground covered with snow.
Besides this force at Romney, there was a considerable
one at Bath, and at Frederick City, Maryland. Gen.
Banks was organizing the army Avith Avhich he, in

140 BATH CAMPAIGN.
the Spring, entered what proved to be the Valley
of Humiliation to his military pride. Jackson fully
realized the proportions of the coming struggle,
and alive to the importance of putting e\'ery avail
able musket into the line of battle, as well as burning
with a desire to free his native region. Western Vir
ginia, from Federal thrall, conceived a plan which
would restore this section to its liberty, enable its
inhabitants to join the forces of its defenders, and
effectually deprive the Federal armies ofthe immense
supplies carried by the Baltiraore and Ohio Railroad.
To this end he determined to move a force up the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and along the North
west graded road, leading through Romney out to
the Ohio River. He was now about to execute his
plan. More as a piece of strategy than for any other
purpose, he ordered five companies of the Stonewall
Brigade to move doAvn to Martinsburg, and proceed
Avith Colonel Ashby to Dam No. 5. As soon as the
infantry reached our camp, it Avas evident that some
thing of importance was on foot. With the smallest
possible reservation for necessary uses, all our camp
equipage Avas packed up and sent back to Winchester,
and AA'e took the field for Avhat, to us, was the begin
ning of the ensuing year's campaign. It may be
truly said that on the 1st day of January, 1862, Col.
Ashby entered upon his last campaign, extending
through five months of almost uninterrupted service
as perilous as it Avas scA'ere, during Avhich his high
military qualities excited the admiration ofthe ablest
officers, while his gentleness Avon the almost idola-

BATH CAMPAIGN. 141
trous love of the soldiers in the Valley. From the
vicinity of Dam No. 5 we turned up the river,
and passing through Hedgesville, crossed Cherry
Run and camped under the peltings of a most piti
less storm of hail and snow, just where the road frora
Bath to Martinsburg is intersected by that from Han
cock. We suffered intensely from the cold, for as
Ave had no tents, our only protection was in large
fires and by rolling up in our blankets among the
boughs of the trees felled for fuel. Ashby himself
Avas the fortunate possessor of a couple of elk-skins
given him by his brother Richard, and, as he lay
rolled in them, Avith nothing but his head exposed
and his dark eyes fixed upon the fire, the writer
thought him the very impersonation of an Indian
warrior. Jackson's command had also left Winchester on
that deceitfully smiling New Year's morning, which
closed so stormily, and Avas struggling along roads
over which the artillery and wagons would have been
moved more easily if on runners instead of Avheels.
The crust of sleet upon the snow Avould have afforded
Jackson's "Foot Cavalry" excellent skating, if the
poor felloAvs had been mounted on skates; but to
tramp and slip, fall doAvn and get up, cut stepping-
places in steep mountain sides to keep from sliding
all the way back to the bottom, and to enable the
horses to drag up the wagons, as they had to do the
entire way to Bath, Avas enough to have taxed the
patience of tried soldiers. These were fortunately
sustained by a principle of patriotism not to be

142 BATH CAMPAIGN.
measured by Fahrenheit. It was not until the 4th
of January that even the energy of Jackson was able
to bring his wearied army to the vicinity of Bath.
Here ordering Ashby to enter Bath from the east,
he sent the militia across the mountain, to serve as
the western link in the chain of inclosure. Gen.
Loring Avas ordered to advance the main body of the
troops along the graded road, entering the town from
the direction of Winchester; but he was slow in
making the movement. On the east. Col. Ashby,
as ordered, advanced his column of Cavalry, with
ChcAv's Battery, across the mountain, a movement
attended with great difficulty and labor, the coating
of sleet on the roads making it almost impossible to
drag along the gun-carriages and Avagons. The top
of the mountain was at length reached, when, on the
opposite heights, a body of men was seen stretched
along toward the east, deploying their skirmishers,
and evidently preparing for serious work. These
were, at first, taken for the enemy ; for Jackson had
revealed his plans to no one, not even to Ashby. As
soon as it Avas discovered that they were our own
militia, the order to advance was given, and we
moved rapidly upon the toAvn. Only a few videttes
Avere seen, who firing a round or tAvo to give the alarm,
fled at the approach of our skirmishers. In a few
moments Ashby AA'as in toAvn, where he was .joined
by Col. Baylor, of Jackson's staff, who had been or
dered to take Capt. Samuel Myers's company of cav
alry and push on, as Loring was too slow. The
enemy had evacuated the toAvn in hot haste as soon

BATH CAMPAIGN. 14S
as the firing of their videttes told of the Confederate
approach, and left all their stores, camp equipage, &c.
behind them. Their retreat Avas made by tAvo roads,
one down the Warm Spring Valley to Hancock, Md.,
the other leading to Sir John's Run. Ashby sending
Capt. Wingfield with a detachment to pursue them
on the latter route, pushed on himself in hot haste
with the remainder of his men, after those who fled
toward Hancock. So rapid were his movements that,
short as Avas the distance to the river, he overtook
the rear guard of the enemy, Avhich stood only long
enough to enable the main body to cross. During
the fcAV moments of fighting here, Lt. Lantz and
three privates of Company C were badly wounded.
The enemy escaped Avithout material damage.
By this time Gen. Jackson had arrived, and the
tired, cold, hungry troops went into camp. Soon,
blazing fires in the Valley and along the mountain
sides, told .that the men Avere trying to make them
selves comfortable. Surely, no men on the continent
ever encountered AVorse Aveather. Not only was the
cold of itself intense, but the sleet-laden Avind seemed
to pierce to the bone. Ashby's first care AA'as to es
tablish a line of pickets for some distance up and
down the Potomac ; he then camped his men under
the lee of the mountain Avhich bounded the Valley
on the west, thus protecting them as much as possi
ble. With all this officer's utter disregard to per
sonal safety and comfort, the Avriter never met one
who had so great a knack of making every one around
him comfortable in camp. On this occasion a few

144 BATH CAMPAIGN.
mountain hemlocks were felled, and their tops so
placed as to break the piercing wind, (the reader will
remember we were without tents,) and soon a huge
fire dissipated the darkness, and its ruddy light fall
ing on everything for yards around, gave the peculiar
cheerfulness of a wood fire. George and the staff-
wagon came up, and every one began to think of
supper. In those early days of the struggle, mess-
tables were generally well supplied. For, aside from
the efforts of the comraissaries, the woraen of the
Valley were ever mindful of their defenders. It was
no unusual thing to receive several hampers in the
course of a single day, each well filled with delicacies
which spoke volumes in praise of Virginia cooking.
This night the two Georges lifted out Ashby's old
mess-chest. That old mess-chest! what sallies of
wit, what firm purposes of devotion to the cause for
which they were battling, — AA'hat mirth-provoking
anecdotes (yet never a word which Avould bring the
blush to Avoman's cheek) have Ave heard when the lid
was open, the table made firm by the hinged legs, and
Col. Ashby, Drs. Burns, Settle, and West, Maj. Funs
ten, Adj. Marshall, and any of our friends who might
chance to be Avith us, would draw our camp-stools
near its generous board. Supper over, a disposition
of buffalo-robes, elk-skins, and blankets is made,
and soon every one is sleeping as soundly as if upon
a feather-bed and not a bank of snoAV. Next morn
ing Ashby took a new part in the scenes enacted.
Accustomed to attack the enemy Avherever he met
them, that dav he Avas to go among them unarmed.

BATH CAMPAIGN. 145
yet not a prisoner. In the early part of the forenoon
Jackson had determined that the enemy, who had
taken shelter in the little town of Hancock, should not
be -^protected even by the presence of women, mindful
of the fact that they had inaugurated the shelling of
towns in his Military District by opening fire upon
ShepherdstoAvn in which there was not, at the tirae,
a single Confederate soldier. Tavo or three batteries
were put in position, and Col. Ashby ordered to go
in under a flag of truce and demand the surrender of
the town. With a single attendant he crossed the
Potomac in a small boat. The flag was met at the
river-bank, and by order of the Federal commander,
Ashby was blindfolded and conducted to head-quar
ters. Crowds of the enemy gathered around " the
great rebel Ashby," with their characteristic curiosity ;
for all were anxious to see the man who had so
often carried confusion into their ranks. Wholly
undisturbed by them, he proceeded to make known
to the Federal General the object of his mission,
offering him time to remove the women and children ;
but the Federal commander, declining to surrender,
also chose to retain the inhabitants, preferring to
trust to the protection of their presence rather than
to the heroism of his army. Ashby returning, re
ported the result of his mission to Jackson, and, in
a short time, the artillery opened upon the town ; for
the General determined that the laws of humanity,
which the dastards had so often violated, should not
protect them noAV. The enemy's fire Avas for some
time quite heavy, but did us no material injury.
13

146 BATH CAMPAIGN.
One of the enemy's shells, by striking the ground near
Jackson, and ricochetting among his staff, made an
aide of the General * somewhat compromise the graces
he had acquired at the French court. The gentle
man's skill in physical acrobatics stood him in hand
as much as that in political had often done. The
batteries of the Confederates soon silenced those of
their opponents, though they were well sheltered by
a church. Night coming on, the firing ceased. A
bridge or raft was partially built, and many thought
Ave would cross into Maryland next morning; but
we were ordered to move towards Bath. Here Dr.
Burns and the writer were detained some time, rig
ging up sleighs for the transportation of the wounded
to Winchester. This done, Ashby, covering the rear
of Jackson's command, marched to Unger's store, a
point where the road to Winchester crosses the graded
road leading from Martinsburg to Romney. Here
the condition of the roads, still covered with ice,
compelled Jackson to stop both to rest his men, and
to have the horses roughed; for the poor creatures
could not keep their feet upon the glassy surface.
Bishop Quintard of Tennessee, then acting as chap
lain to a regiment from his State, related the follow
ing incident to the writer as having occurred shortly
after leaving Unger's store. Generals Loring and
Jackson, Col. Ashby, and Bishop Quintard, Avere
riding toAvards Romney, when they came to a stream
on which the ice, though quite strong enough to bear
a man, the General thought might give Avay under
* Hon. C. J. Faulkner, tljen on Jackson's staff.

BATH CAMPAIGN. 147
the weight of his "old sorrel." He accordingly
turned up to where the crossing was narrower. The
others followed hira. After going some distance. Col.
Ashby remarked to Gen. Jackson, " General, I will
cross here;" and withdrawing a little from the bank,
he touched his horse with the spur, and cleared the
stream beautifully. The Bishop remarked, " so per
fect was Ashby's seat, and so exactly did his move
ments coincide with those of his horse, that the only
motion visible in the noble rider was the settling of
the folds of his cape as he landed on the opposite
bank." His fine riding excited the admiration but
not the emulation of Jackson, who rode up to where
the crossing was easier. By this no disparagement
of the General's horsemanship or that of his party is
intended. Few men Avould follow Ashby in his
equestrian feats. "And yet," remarked the Bishop,
"the man was so modest with it all, merely remarking
that he had had to take many a bolder leap in a fox
hunt." Gen. Jackson, though by no means striking
or graceful on horseback, preserved at all times a firm
and secure seat, and when under the exciting influences
of battle, would have been regarded as a fine rider.
Long before Jackson reached Romney, the enemy,
some ten thousand strong, mistaking two companies of
Ashby's cavalry for the main body of our army, fled
in such hot haste that they left their tents standing
and many valuable stores behind them in the toAvn.
Nothing of special moment occurred on the route.
An anecdote of the lamented Garnett will serve to
illustrate the bearing of Confederate officers towards

148 BATH CAMPAIGN.
the privates under their command. The General
stopped at the house by the roadside to get something
to eat; quite a number of soldiers had gone into it
for the same purpose. When the meal was ready,
the men crowded to the table, occupying every seat.
The General, who had risen, observing that the table
was full, smilingly reseated himself by the fire and
patiently waited until their satisfied appetites caused
them to leave the table, when he took one of the
vacant seats.*
It would be foreign to the purpose of the writer
to enter into the details of this movement ; he can
merely intimate that the advantages which cost the
littls army so dearly in bitter suffering from ex
posure, were almost entirely lost by an element of
dissatisfaction among the higher officers ; — he is happy
to be able to state that in the lack of earnest co-opera
tion which Gen. Jackson experienced at the hands of a
few of his subordinates, he had nothing to complain
of in the bearing of Ashby. This officer was at all
times ready to obey any order which came from his
Superior, and this, too, without the disparaging com
ment upon its wisdom or necessity, which goes so far
toward breaking doAvn the morale of any army in
which it is indulged. No ; Turner Ashby, if not a
West-Pointer, was too good a soldier to do anything
of this kind ; and if ever you hear him spoken of as
" a sort of irregular soldier, though a good fighter,"
* This gallant officer and accomplished gentleman fell at
Gettysburg.

BATH CAMPAIGN. 149
remember that he was too thoroughly imbued with
the necessity of obedience, ever to do aught else than
implicitly obey his ranking officer. This did not
all in Jackson's army. The fruits of these mili
tary operations were lost to the Confederacy by the
Secretary of War issuing orders directly to the officer
left in command of South Branch Valley, and not to
Gen. Jackson, commanding the Military District.
The malign influences of some ill-judging or evil
disposed persons, affording the cue, there was heard
in the parlors of Richmond and Winchester, and,
worse still, even among Jackson's officers in camp,
such remarks as, " Well, old Jack must be crazy ! "
But that mist of popular delusion soon cleared away
before the rising sun which ushered in the glorious
victories of Port Republic and Cross-Keys; and
before StoncAvall Jackson rose to the height of his
genius around Richmond or at ChanceUorsviUe, those
Avho had called him crazy began to see that there was
a method in his madness, which, if more general,
would have expanded Confederate victories into the
establishment of Confederate independence.
Those infallible marks of littleness — ^^nvy and
insubordinalion — found no room in the heart of the
generous and patriotic Ashby ; therefore was he found
the promptly obedient officer and sympathizing friend
of Jackson in this severe campaign, and he came out
of it elevated in the estimation of every one who
attended carefully to its history.
Jackson's whole army was soon recalled to the
13*

150 BATH CAMPAIGN.
Shenandoah Valley. Ashby established his head
quarters at Martinsburg, and Avith his usual vigilance
speedily reported that other work lay before them,
for it must not be forgotten that Banks had been busy
all winter in preparing to push on to Staunton.

CHAPTER VII,
BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN—RETBEAT.
IN Order to understand the movements which took
place upon the military chess-board of the Con
federate States in the Valley of Virginia, in the
winter and early spring of 1862, it will be necessary
to advert to the situation of the two grand armies
commanded respectively by Generals Johnston and
McClellan, as they lay before the battle-field of
Manassas and in front of the city of Washington.
The unexplained and long-indulged supineness which
characterized the policy of Secretary Benjamin in
relation to the victorious Confederate army, which,
flushed with the excitement and enthusiasm of its
first success, was as eager as it was able to seize the
Federal Capital, afforded ample time for the organiza
tion of an army vastly superior in numbers to that
which, by its conduct on the 21st of July, 1861, had
given to the English language another synonym for a
shameful rout — "Bull Run." This time had been
well improved by the Federal Government, which
had issued its calls upon the Governors of the dif
ferent Northern States, urging them to send troops to
Washington as rapidly as possible, with the Avar-cry
somewhat changed from the — " to defend the Union
(151)

152 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
of 1861," to the "defend the Capital" of that hour.
The appeal was not in vain. Radicalism, like a sala
mander, vitally strengthened amid the fierce fiames of
internecine strife, was noAV ruling the storm, and high
above every sound from the hills around Washington
rose its hungry cry, — "More blood! more blood!"
The devoted victims were soon sent forward to be
prepared for sacrifice by him who, though ill-starred,
was called the "Young Napoleon." This is the
origin of the "Army of the Potomac;" for those
who delineate its history choose to stop here rather
than to go back to a period earlier in Federal mili
tary organization. In the spring of 1862, this huge
army lay before Washington City, Avith its mighty
wings stretched from Evansport on the Potomac, to
a point even beyond Romney, Virginia. It was,
indeed a formidable array. And Avhat Avas there to
oppose it ? The Confederate army, organized chiefly
from twelve-months' volunteers, was far outnum
bered, and what was Avorse still, the term of service
of many of these was about to expire. In view of
these facts, General Johnston, after the golden oppor
tunity of moving on Washington had passed, had
made frequent but fruitless application for permission
to withdraw to the south side of the Rappahannock.
But as if to furnish that distinguished officer an
opportunity for a splendid exhibition of his military
genius, in safely withdrawing his little army in the
very presence of the enemy's overwhelming numbers,
it was not until the mighty force was in actual motion
that he Avas allowed to leave the battle-field of Ma-

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 153
nassas. We shall now see the connection. McClel
lan was slowly but steadily moving forward his
whole line. To the splendid genius of General Banks
was committed the conduct of the Federal right
wing. He was confronted by Jackson. Ashby com
manded the Confederate outposts, stretching his cordon
of' pickets from the Blue Ridge to the North Moun
tain, across the whole breadth of the Great Valley-
Since the evacuation of Romney by the Confederates
Ln the latter part of January, (a raoveraent wholly
unauthorized and strongly opposed by Jackson,) the
enemy had become much emboldened. Early in
February, Moorefield, Hardy County, was occu
pied by them. A little later they made a successful
movement against a camp of Virginia militia at
Bloomery and captured a good many prisoners.
Thither the watchful eye of Ashby was immediately
turned, and the Confederate outpost line soon re-es
tablished. Thus from Hanging Rock, where the
gallant Capt. Sheetz was in immediate command, to
Bloomery, and thence to Charlestown, did Ashby
make his long wintry rides to picket-posts — faithful,
watchful, and unwearying.
A winter of gloom was wellnigh ended. The
gallant Branch had vainly striven at the fall of New
bern, N. C. Forts Donelson and Henry had been
taken. The noble son of ex-Governor Wise had
yielded up his life in striving to prevent the capture
of Roanoke Island. As " it is darkest before dawn,"
so these gloomy hours soon yielded to the glorious
days of that brilliant campaign which will evei- shed

154 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
lustre upon the pages of history. But who was to
accomplish the work in the Valley? Jackson's
army had been materially diminished to strengthen
Johnston. The Tennessee Brigade and two or three
Virginia regiments had been detached, and Jackson
was left with only three brigades and Ashby's Cavalry
to confront the forces of General -Lander, numbering
over 10,000, and those of Banks, estimated at about
35,000 more. The enemy was ready to move, with
Staunton for the immediate objective point, and
Richmond as the Ultiraa Thule of all their military
aspirations. On the 25th of February, Col. Ashby
informed Gen. Jackson that Banks had effected the
crossing of the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. So cau
tious was the Federal commander on this advance,
that it was not until nine days afterAvards that Col.
Ashby's rear-guard was pushed back, and the enemy
entered Charlestown. Mayhap this harmless military
disciple of "Higher Law" tarried on his way that
he might on the 4th of March enter the town where
its martyr, John Brown, had expiated his guilt on
the gallows. Be this as it may, his lingering advance
was closely watched, and Ashby with his little bat-
tgry was beginning to give him a slight foretaste of
what he might expect on his "on to Richmond"
route by way of Winchester. From hill-top to hill
top did Ashby withdraw sloAvly and sullenly, con
testing every inch of the ground Avith his unflinching
courage, although miles away from any support save
that of his trusty sabres and his little English pet,
the Blakeley gun, as aimed by Sergeant Janney and

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 155
commanded by Capt. Chew. This little gun was so well
knoAvn by its peculiar rifle-like sound, that it is still
called by the people of the Valley " Ashby's gun."
Even the Avomen learned to distinguish it, and many
a heart weary with waiting Avas cheered, as some
neighbor girl hastened in with beaming eye and smil
ing lip, to say, " Ashby is coming ! Listen ! don't
you hear his little gun?" An amusing incident
occurred at the house of a friend. The lady whose
husband Avas with Ashby, happened to have her
house taken as headquarters by the Federal General
A  . One day a sudden roar of artillery drew every
one out to listen, the General among them, when the
children, distinguishing the sound of the gun, began to
jump and clap their hands, shouting, " Papa is coming I
papa is coming ! Listen, mamma, listen ! ain't you
glad ? There 's Ashby. The Yankees will have to go
noAV, and papa can come home ! " Fortunately for the
lady, the General was an old United States officer
who had not forgotten that the term was once synon
ymous with gentleman. Laughing heartily, he patted
one of the bright-eyed little blunderers on the head,
and told her he was glad too, that she would soon
see her father.
Fighting and falling slowly back, Ashby retarded
the advance of the enemy until Jackson effected the
evacuation of Winchester, which was completed on
the night of the llth of March. On the morning
of the 12th, as the enemy continued to advance, the
Confederate infantry retired by the turnpike leading
up the Valley to Staunton. Skirmishing almost to

150 RETREAT.
the limits of the town, Ashby, as quiet as if on dress
parade, followed his men down the street, and though
followed closely by the enemy, coolly stopped to take
a biscuit offered him by a noble-hearted lady. That
uight Jackson camped on the south side of Cedar
Creek. Ashby watched the enemy's camp-fires from
the hills around Newtown. There were heavy hearts
in Winchester that night, as that noble old town
passed for the first time beneath Federal sway.
Banks was soon comfortably quartered in one of the
best private houses in the toAvn.
The retreat of Jackson was leisurely continued up
the Valley with nothing to mark it specially, except
that Ashby insisted upon daily paying his respects to
Banks as that veteran was cautiously feeling his way
with forty thousand men after Jackson's less than
forty hundred tried and trusty folloAvers. At Fisher's
Hill the cavalry successfully ambuscaded their pur
suers. Ashby making one of his brilliant charges,
drove them headlong over the high banks into the
creek below. He also harassed them greatly Avhile
picketing along Stony Creek, near Edinburg, some
times hiding his men and capturing their foragers ;
at others, running out his artillery when least ex
pected, and sending shells into their very tents. A
Federal officer who was among the pursuers, has since
told the writer, that they learned to look for Ashby's
shells as regularly as for their breakfasts. So sloA^ly
did the Confederates raove, that they were nine days
in reaching Mount Jackson, distant only forty-
three miles from Winchester, — an easy Avalk for

RETREAT. 157
Jackson's " foot cavalry." At this point. General
Johnston informed Gen. Jackson that it was impera
tively pecessary that Banks should be prevented from
sending reinforcements to McClellan, and ordered him
to turn upon the enemy and annoy him as much as pos
sible. Immediately obeying the order, Jackson made a
rapid march to the neighborhood of Cedar Creek — re
turning in one day to a point he had left eight days be
fore. On Saturday, March 22d, Ashby pressed forward
with so much energy that he drove in the Federal pick
ets, and actually dashed into the edge of Winchester,
capturing and getting off safely with several govern
ment Avagons. Bringing up his little three-gun battery
to the point where the Cedar Creek grade diverges
from the Valley turnpike, he kept up a brisk fire
upon the enemy, who were hastily gathered upon the
southern edge of the town. A shell from one of
his pieces broke the arm of that States-Rights Demo
crat, General Shields, placed in command by Banks,
who in capturing Winchester had achieved glory
enough for one campaign, and had started to his old
haunt, Washington City, fearful that his laurels
might wither if he delayed.
This skirmish upon the southern outskirts of the
town afforded an opportunity for some of the ladies
to send out inforraation that the enemy was evacuat
ing the place, and that a large coluran had moA'ed
to Berryville that morning. The source of this in
formation stamped it with accuracy in the judgment
of Ashby, and Jackson was immediately informed of
what had occurred. Two companies of infantry were
14

158 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
dispatched that night to the aid of Col. Ashby, and
the next morning Jackson led his whole force to
wards Winchester. On reaching Bartonsville, five
miles south of Winchester, Jackson perceived that
Ashby was already contesting the advance of the
enemy in a spirited skirmish near Mahaney's house,
a few hundred yards south of the little hamlet of
Kernstown, which is about three miles from Winches
ter. In order to understand the character of the
battle into Avhich Gen. Jackson found himself pre
cipitated in his commendable zeal to aid Johnston, it
is necessary to describe the country on which it was
fought ; for the Confederate commander now perceived
that he had gone too far to retreat Avithout an en
gagement. The country immediately to the west of
Kernstown is rather fiat, and is used for meadows ;
as you proceed farther west, the land rises into a ridge
Avhich runs nearly parallel to the Valley turnpike for
some two or three miles. From the crest of this ridge,
looking south and south-easterly, is the water slope
of the Opequon, which crosses the turnpike at Bartons
ville, and winds along as you ascend it Avestwardly,
until it reaches the southern end of the ridge just
mentioned, Avhen it washes the western base of the
same elevated land, till it turns off through the
"Long Meadows estate" (named from its character) to
its source at the foot of the mountain. This ridge,
commanding the country tOAvards Winchester in front,
as well as that toAvard NcAvtown in the rear, the
practised eye of Jackson soon saAV was the key-point of
the position. He realized the importance of holding

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 159
it, and made the following disposition of his force to
be enabled to do so : — The right of the line, on the
east side of the turnpike, was committed to the com
mand of Col. Ashby, who had under his control eight
companies of cavalry, four companies of riflemen, and
Chew's Battery of three pieces. These took position
at Mahaney's, a little way to the left of the road.
The line was continued to the left by the 2d brigade
of infantry, which was joined by the StoncAvall bri
gade ; Fulkerson's brigade (the 3d) continued the line
up to the crest of the ridge. Beyond the little valley
west of this, on a hill commanding the country still
further toward the mountain. Major Funsten was
stationed, Avith four companies of Ashby's cavalry,
constituting the extreme left of the Confederate line
of battle. The artillery was posted on the ridge,
and consisted of Carpenter's and McLaughlin's bat
teries. It was evidently Gen. Jackson's aim simply
to hold his ground on the right and centre, while
he threw forAA'ard his left, obliquing toward the right.
The attack began on the left under the eye of Col.
Fulkerson, after a spirited cannonade which ended
in the discomfiture of the Federal battery. Soon
after, the Stonewall brigade was engaged, and the tide
of battle rolled furiously along the line. We have
seen that Ashby first placed ChcAv's Battery near
Mahaney's house, his line of support running through
an orchard to the right of the turnpike. The enemy
had, under cover of a strip of woods, advanced their
infantry close to this orchard, driving back the Con
federate infantry and cavalry some little distance.

160 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
This necessitated the removal of Chew's Battery,
which went into position a little south of Mahaney's
house, now supported by cavalry alone, for the de
tached infantry companies had been ordered back to
their regiraents, which were hotly engaged along the
centre and left of the line. Holding this position
for some time, and pouring such a destructive fire
into the enemy as to keep them back, Ashby ad
vanced his line some distance around towards the
eneqay's left, a quarter of a mile in advance of his
first position. " He continued to use his little battery
of three guns Avith such audacity as to gain ground
from their multitudes." Later in the day, as the
fighting grew more desperate, Ashby placed himself
at the head of a squadron, and hurled them Avith
such force upon the enemy's line as to break it. Here
he captured twelve or fifteen prisoners, but the onset,
though brilliant, cost us dearly in the loss of the gal
lant Lt. Thrasher and three privates of Company G —
a Maryland organization. Ashby held the ground
thus gained, for the enemey, severely punished, "ad
vanced no more during the day." By thus advancing
and holding his line, Ashby left the Avhole infantry
force to effect the main object of his General. The
writer cannot enter into the details of this stubborn
and bloody battle, and tell how the Stonewall brigade,
"Jackson's Pets," as Loring is said to have called
them, at times fiat on the ground to protect them
selves from the artillery and musketry, then bound
ing up, Avould charge upon the enemy's line, driving
it, confused and bleeding, only to be re-formed of

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 101
fresh troops from Federal reserves. They fought on
with increasing desperation until, their last round of
ammunition expended, they were ordered to fall back
by that accomplished soldier and gentleman, the idol
of his brigade, Brig.-General Garnett, not, however,
until he saw that the fresh troops which the enemy
continued to press forward, Avere too strong for his
men deficient only in ammunition. Nor of the race
of the 2d regiment with the Federal troops for the
possession of a stone fence, which, gained by the
Confederates, afforded them a cover from which they
poured so deadly a flre upon their opponents, that for
days after, the dark stains of pools and streams of
blood marked the spot. The 3d brigade too, with
its trusty mountain riflemen, drove some Ohio regi
ments back, reeling and staggering, to their reserve,
who, advancing, met the same fate. But the odds,
nearly five to one, were too great for the bravest to do
more than hold their ground; this they did until
night and the scarcity of ammunition put an end to
the conflict. As the Confederates began to withdraw
from a field, if not of victory, yet one of glory, the
Federal cavalry attempted to press them, with the
vain hope of changing an orderly retreat into a rout ;
but just as they were ready to close up. Major Funsten
brought his four companies, which first checked and
then drove them back. At the point where the line
of retreat Avas intercepted by Neal's dam and mill,
nearly all the Confederates made prisoners were taken.
The horses being shot, one piece of artillery was
abandoned on the field. The writer has been in-
14*

162 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
formed by one of the citizens who obtained permis
sion to bury the Confederate dead, that they buried
on the field eighty-five, most of whom were known
to be Confederates, a few of that number were pre
sumed to be so because they were stripped. The total
Confederate loss in killed, Avounded, and missing, was
estimated by Jackson himself to be a little over seven
hundred — more than one-fourth of his whole army,
and one-third of those actually engaged. The Fed
eral troops fought better than they ever did before or.
after — especially the Northwestern men. The night
after the battle, Jackson rested his men about five
miles from the hard-fought field, and Ashby's untir
ing pickets kept watch upon the hill-tops south of
the Opequon, within two miles of the scene of the
morning's struggle.
It is doubtful whether there was a more desperate
and hotly contested engagement through the whole
period of the war than that of Kernstown. Ashby
was in his glory. Many will recall him as, mounted
on his white charger, he rode at full speed, clearing
every obstacle, Avhether post-and-rail or stone fence,
or one of those ravines so common in limestone lands.
Now consulting with Jackson, — now riding up to
Chew's Battery and ordering its intrepid, skilful
boy-captain to limber up and move with the squad
ron of horse just then ordered to the charge. He
was entirely transformed from the quiet, taciturn
officer as seen in camp. The rapid and skilful
manoeuvring of his squadrons and battery elicited the
warmest admiration, whilst his reckless exposure of

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 163
life and wonderful escape from death, was the theme
around the camp-fires for a long time afterwards.
He seemed almost ubiquitous as he appeared along
his line, animating his men with his peculiarly ex
pressive " Drive them, boys ! drive them ! " And
they obeyed him. So well-ordered was his with
drawal from the field, that not a man nor gun was
lost on that part under his immediate eye. There
Avas no rejoicing among the Federal soldiers engaged
in this battle; — with more dead and wounded than
the Confederates had men in line, they returned
slowly and sadly to their quarters. It is due to the
truth of history to say, that perhaps the only officer
in the Federal army who went into a sort of hysteri
cal gasconade over the " great Union victory " was
Mr. N. P. Banks, Avho, at a point sufficiently removed
to be perfectly safe, had received the intelligence of
what the braver and more modest Shields and Kim
ball had managed to keep the Confederates from
doing. Burns might have said,
' In Washington, safe. Banks was glorious.
O'er every 'rebel' quite victorious.''
The bearing of the Federal surgeons towards the
ladies who hastened to the hospitals where, side by
side, were placed those Avho had just been engaged in
deadly strife, was courteous and respectful, in marked
contrast to the treatment to Avhich the same ladies
were subjected at later periods. This may have been,
and probably was, in a good measure, OAving to the
influence of the old United States surgeons, whose

164 BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN.
ranks had not yet been recruited from a class whose
political, rather than professional qualifications were
discussed by exaraining boards.
Among the many incidents of this painful period
was one which will show the feeling of the people of
the Valley. As the Federal ambulances were bear
ing in the wounded, an officer stopped at the door of
a house in Winchester, and said to the inmates in a
bragging manner, "We've got your great Ashby
here ;" pointing to one of the vehicles near the gate,
" he is badly wounded, and if his wound does not kill
him, we don't guess he '11 ever fight any more." The
girl to whom the remark seemed particularly ad
dressed, turned away and said, " Mother, let us get
something for Col. Ashby to eat." " No, you '11 do
no such a thing : Ave intend to kill him." The
maiden begged for his life, and entreated them to
spare Ashby and kill her instead. Touched by her
devotion, the officer told her he was only jesting.
The battle of Kernstown, if not to be claimed as a
victory for the Confederates, served all the purposes
of one. The heavy reinforcements Avhich had been
dispatched towards Manassas on Saturday morning
were recalled, though too late to aid at Kernstown,
and thus were prevented from appearing on McClel
lan's right, to enable him to press General Johnston
more vigorously as he led his men to the south side
of the Rappahannock, where, for reasons nowhere
disclosed, the Federal General did not follow him.
That Johnston was relieved, and the citizens and
authorities of Richmond enabled to breathe more

BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. 165
freely, was due to the heroic exertions of the brave
men who followed Jackson and Ashby at Kernstown.
The gallantry of the Confederates in this engage
ment elicited the following testimonial from the Con
federate Congress.
" 1st. Resolved, By the Congress of the Confederate
States, that the thanks of Congress are due, and are
hereby tendered Major-General T. J. Jackson and
the officers and men under his command, for gal
lant and meritorious conduct in a successful engage
ment with a greatly superior force of the enemy near
Kernstown, Frederick County, Virginia, on the 23d
day of March, 1862.
" 2d. Resolved, That these resolutions be communi
cated by the Secretary of War to Major-General T.
J. Jackson, and by him to his command."

CHAPTER VIII.
THE CONFEDERATE RETREAT—SWIFT
RUN GAP— BATTLE OF McDOWELL.
IT again becomes necessary for the reader to turn
to the relative positions of friend and foe beyond
the Blue Ridge, as well as to keep carefully in view
the military moA'ements taking place beyond the
mountains forming the western boundary of the great
Valley. Johnston, having safely gained the south side of
the Rappahannock, Avas informed by his own trusty
Stuart of the Federal movements. Placing Ewell
with his Division to hold the line of the Rappahan
nock, and Anderson Avith a Division near Fredericks
burg to guard that portal to the Confederate capital
and Avatch McDowell, he Avith all his other available
force hastened away to the Peninsula, which he barely
reached in time to co-operate with Magruder in
opposing McClellan's formidable advance by land
and water, to seize that coveted prize — the city of
Richmond. Pending these movements, the " Young
Napoleon" had ordered the notorious Dutch Division
under Blenker, to cross the Blue Ridge, from the
vicinity of Manassas, and co-operate Avith braggart
Banks as long as its services niight be required, and
(166)

CONFEDERATE RETREAT. 167
then to go forward as rapidly as possible to the aid
of Fremont, who was then organizing a strong force
at Wheeling, and with his advance guard, under
Milroy, was threatening the Confederate force of
Gen. Ed. Johnson Avho occupied a position on She
nandoah Mountain, about 25 railes west of Staunton
in the Upper Valley.
While the Federal Secretary of War Avas making
a disposition of forces so threatening to the Confed
erate tenure of Virginia, the little army of the Valley
was falling back very slowly before Banks.
The day after the battle of KernstoAvn, the enemy
made a show of an advance upon its rear-guard, then,
as ever, under the personal care of Col. Ashby. It
occurred a mile or so south of the little village of
MiddletoAvn, nearly opposite to the "Belle Grove"
estate. The Confederate cavalry, some miles in the
rear of the infantry, had been skirmishing from time
to time Avith the Federal adA'ance, Avhen a reinforce
ment of cavalry coming to the latter. Hatch, their
commanding officer, endeavored to bring his men to
the close and bloody AVork of a charge. Chew's Bat
tery was in full view, and took position on the crest
of a hill. The enemy seemed in no degree checked
by it, and passed on. Just then a yell as from Co
manches was heard, and Ashby at the head of a
squadron Avas seen SAveeping out of a skirt of woods,
throwing himself directly between the enemy and
the coveted prize of artillery. High above all other
sounds rang out Ashby's "Charge them, boys! charge
them ! " The Federals did not Avait to receive the

168 CONFEDERATE RETREAT.
charge, but retired in hot haste — all idea of capturing
the battery being abandoned. Ashby then proceeded
to burn the bridge over Cedar Creek; this bridge
was considered to be of so much importance by
Banks, that a Federal battery was planted to protect
it. As Ashby went toward the bridge, the Federal
cavalry made a show of charging, but quickly gave
ground as he advanced, and the bridge was destroyed.
For several days nothing of special interest occurred.
Ashby still annoyed and checked the Federal ad
vance, fighting them stubbornly from every hill-top,
and baffling every effort to entrap him, by guarding
his fianks carefully, as Avell as by his new mode of
warfare which a Northern newspaper correspondent
remarked, "Avas entirely original with this wily
rebel." The truth is, Colonel Ashby did fight in a
manner which made his retreat as dangerous to the
pursuers as it was novel to those Avho had had a regu
lar West-Point education. As fired upon by the
videttes of Ashby, they would organize a regular
systematic advance, and proceed according to the
most approved rules and regulations to capture " the
noted guerrilla." The young cavalier, despising a
strict conformity to rules so often unsuited to the
occasion, would invariably bring to grief their ma
turely studied plans for his discomfiture ; at one time
by a fearful ambuscade, sending them back in con
fusion ; at another by placing himself at the head of
his column and offering them that opportunity for
cross-sabre exercise for Avhich they had seemed so
anxious, but Avhich, Avhen offered, Avas invariably

CONFEDERATE RETREAT. 169
declined. One remarkable fiv^t connected with this
retreat is the rapidity with Avhich his command was
increased at this time — even Avhile pursued by the
enemy over whose success the press of the North was
jubilant. The effect of the battle of Kernstown
upon the Confederates engaged in it, and indirectly
upon the Southern struggle, in the estimation of Vir
ginians, may be understood more fully when it is
stated that Col. Ashby's twelve companies, already
full, were rapidly increased to twenty-six. About
this time the lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall
joined him as captain of a company whose homes
had lately fallen under Federal rule by the advance
of Banks. The gallant militia officer, Capt. T. B.
Massie, was then seen at Ashby's headquarters, pre
senting the roll of his company raised among the
brave-hearted of his oavu neighborhood, and princi
pally mounted at his own private expense. Captain
Murat Willis brought in his fine company from Rap
pahannock. Capt. William Harness of Hardy came
Avith his well-trained mountain hunters, anxious to
chase, if not nobler, far more mischievous animals
than their native mountains afforded. Captain S.
Myers, of company B, was able in his native Shenan
doah so to swell his muster-roll as to make a division
of his company necessary. The same necessity oc
curred in the company of the chivalrie Capt. Win
field, which was divided. Thus the work of organi
zation continued to go on, and the influence of Ash
by's heroic devotion to duty under unnumbered and
ncA'cr to be recorded dangers, — his lofty patriotism
16

170 CONFEDERATE RETREAT.
never more brightly exemplified than along this
retreat,- — anticipated the necessity of conscription,
as far as cavalry for Jackson's army was concerned,
and raised it regiments, which, under the name of
the Laurel Brigade, manfully bore the shocks of
battles long after their heroic leader had been mus-
tered out of service by the hand of death.
The retreat continued up to and beyond Woodstock,
involving the necessity, in its ebb and floAV, of fight
ing over the same ground several times ; for, invari
ably, Avhen the enemy failed from any cause to feel
Ashby's position, the Colonel would take Chew's
battery and a squadron of horse and go out on the
extreme picket-line to "wake up the Yankees," as
he called it. To-day he would use his artillery alto
gether from the crest of the hills on the left ; perhaps
he would do the same thing to-morrow. The next
day he might fight them altogether from the hill-tops
on his right. Thus did he annoy and keep in check
a largely superior force. The writer has often heard
Capt. Chew and the lamented Lt. James Thompson,
of the same battery, remark that Col. Ashby had the
best eye for position and distance they had ever seen :
he seemed to know just how and where to place ar
tillery to make it most effective. His mode of re
treating from one position to another was as novel
as it was perilous to the enemy. He seemed ahvays
to know where and just how far back he would make
his next stand. There he would station a reserve of
horse, and then, lashing up his three Avar-dogs, whose
throats were hot and dry from barking at and biting

CONFEDERATE RETREAT. 171
the enemy, he would move rapidly to the rear, where,
unlashing them, the firm calm voice of ChcAV might
be heard as he gave the order to " Fire," sending the
shells right into the head of the pursuing column,
which, mistaking this rapid rear movement for a re
treat, Avas pressing forward. It was in regard to
Jackson's retreat thus covered, that the gallant Ad
jutant of the 2d Virginia infantry, afterwards Major
R. W. Hunter of Gordon's staff, remarked to the
writer, " I ncA'er slept more soundly in my life than
when in sight of the enemy's camp-fires, with Ashby
between us, for I knew that it was wellnigh impossi
ble for them to surprise him." Whenever the enemy
moved forward, Ashby resisted as long as his inferior
numbers would allow ; when they turned back, he as
invariably followed them. Jackson at length reached
the line of hills 'overlooking that beautiful estate
knoAvn as " Meem's Bottoms," on the south side of
the Shenandoah. Here, being entirely safe from any
sudden attack, Jackson applied himself energetically
to recruiting and reorganizing his forces. Meantime
the north branch of the Shenandoah Avas becoming
almost fordable ; but the General still needed a fcAV
days to complete his work, and he desired Ashby
to hold the enemy in check, if possible. In his
duty of guarding the rear, Ashby's practised eye had
led him to post his line of pickets along the steep
banks of Stony Creek and the hills commanding the
route of the enemy's advance. The Federal troops
daily grew bolder. One evening the skirmishing had
been very heavy, and there was every reason to be-

172 CONFEDERATE RETREAT.
lieve it would be renewed with greater energy next
morning. That night Ashby took the precaution to
strengthen his line, and kept the battery Avithin call.
He spent the night, without food or sleep, in visiting
the different points on the line. Morning brought
the expected advance ; but he was ready to meet it,
and easily held the enemy in check. About sunrise
he happened to be on that part of the line held by
Capt. Randolph, who relates the following incident :
" The firing had become quite heavy, and the mini^-
balls were whistling right and left. The place was
indeed a hot one, when Capt. John Henderson, then
disabled and off duty, rode up to where Col. Ashby
Avas sitting on his horse watching the skirmishers.
'Good morning. Colonel,' said Henderson; 'I have
brought you some breakfast, but this is rather a warm
place to enjoy it.' 'Never mind that,' said Ashby;
'your kindness is well-timed, for I am very hungry.'
Henderson handed him some hard-boiled eggs.
Thanking him, the Colonel turned and shared them
with me; then throwing his leg over the pommel of
his saddle, soon dispatched his share of the breakfast.
I waited some time before I could enjoy my part of
it. After he had finished, the Colonel rode rapidly
toward the turnpike, and soon the peculiai' booming
of the little Blakely told that hot work was on hand."
Such was Ashby's devotion to duty, and coolness under
fire. Meantime the enemy moved their infantry to
the front, thus rendering Ashby's position untenable.
Having made every arrangement for burning the
bridge over the North Branch of the Shenandoah,

CONFEDERATE RETREAT. 173
he fell slowly back before the enemy's advance, turn
ing upon them whenever too closely pressed, until he
approached Mount Jackson. Here he made his dispo
sition to cross the river. Chew's battery was ordered
to move forAvard and take up a position on Rude's
Hill, which commanded the bridge and the turnpike
for some little distance to the north of it. He then
ordered his troopers across, he himself remaining
some distance behind them. The enemy had been so
cautious that he did not suppose this movement would
be attended with any danger. The Federal cavalry,
however, catching sight of his well-known figure,
soon began to ride more rapidly. A group of Con
federate officers on Rude's Hill did not at first recog
nize the single horseman a few hundred yards in
front of the enemy's advance guard, but presently
Ashby's pet soldier-boy, "Jimmy Thompson," ex
claimed, "Douglass, that's Ashby; don't you see the
smoke from his pistol ? No Yankee ever rode like
that." Lowering his glass, he gave the order to the
sergeant of the little English gun to load up and be
ready for whatever might happen. Whilst this was
passing, Ashby came near losing his life in the at
tempt to burn the bridge in the very presence of the
enemy. A guard had been placed on the bridge with
orders to fire it. The men were dismounted. The
Federal cavalry seeing their object, pressed forward
so rapidly that the guard scattered to the right and
left. Ashby remained to kindle the fire, Avhen four
troopers, singling him out, made an attack upon him,
ordering him to surrender. Firing, they missed him,
15*

174 SWIFT RUN GAP.
but one ball passed through the lungs of his horse,
rendering him unmanageable. Just then a dismounted
man shot the foreraost assailant. Capt. Koontz of
Shenandoah, hastening up, shot a second; Harry
Hatcher, dashing forward, fired at the third, who also
fell ; and the fourth ran away. Ashby rode forward
to Rude's Hill, where he got another horse. Some
one at Conrad's Store congratulating him upon his
escape, the Colonel remarked, " a man Avas not always
called upon to surrender when he was in danger."
The enemy did not continue the pursuit, but contented
themselves with watching the Confederate movements
from the north side of the river.
Jackson reached Harrisonburg on the 19th of April.
The enemy continuing to follow, he turned off from
the Valley turnpike, and soon the camp-fires of the
able strategist were blazing, and his men resting in
Elk Run Valley, in the neighborhood of Swift Run
Gap. Banks advanced cautiously as far as Harrison
burg; Jackson's movement to the mountains com
pletely bewildered him, and he was afraid to go for
ward even with cavalry for more than a few miles.
At this stage of the game the Massachusetts poli
tician found himself a mere toy in the hands of the
great Confederate; whilst his chief of cavalry. Hatch,
made but little progress in his repeated efforts to
"bag Ashby," as he daily skirniished Avith the Con
federate outposts about McGaheysville and other
well-guarded points. In one of these skirmishes the
Colonel Avas pained to lose the services of Capt. R.
W. Baylor, of Jefferson County, who Avas severely

SWIFT RUN GAP. 175
wounded. Here too, the kind, noble-hearted Capt.
Shands lost his life from the accidental discharge of a
musket. Whilst lying here, the attention of our military
family, and indeed that of the whole Army of the
Valley, was directed to an order issued by Gen. Jack
son in relation to the Ashby Cavalry and its beloved
leader. Before proceeding further, the writer must
be allowed to say that he enters upon a detailed ac
count of this order with great reluctance. Indeed, in
a conversation Avith the Hon. A. R. Boteler, a true and
tried friend of both of these distinguished Confederate
offlcers, it was fully agreed that the mantle of silence
should cover from the gaze of posterity the few short
hours of estrangement which here occurred in a rela
tionship between the two chieftains which was only
equalled in its beauty and strength by the after-esteem
which continued to grow stronger and stronger until
death for a time separated them. Jackson had tried
Ashby at Bath, Hancock, Romney, and KernstoAvn,
and found him all that the emergencies demanded.
Nay, more, they had tried each other all along the
painful, perilous retreat just ended; and they seemed
to have answered each other's purposes. Yes, Avhat
Napoleon was to Murat — his trusted and beloved
leader — was Jackson to Ashby. What Murat was
to Napoleon, Ashby was to Jackson. And the writer
- would never have felt himself called upon to do
aught than to preserve the silence of the grave in
which they both lie, in relation to this short estrange
ment, but for the ill-timed paragraphs of Dr. Dabney

176 S WIF T R UN GAP.
upon this passage in the life of Jackson — paragraphs
which would never have seen the sunlight of history,
had the doctor's manuscript been supervised by
Stonewall Jackson. The little army was resting, as
we have said, in the neighborhood of Conrad's Store;
Ashby was busy with the daily routine of duty and
danger along the cordon of picket-posts which kept
ward and watch over the baffied Banks, when one
evening riding into camp, his adjutant handed him
the following order, in effect repeated to the writer
from memory, by Major Douglass of Jackson's staff.
Headquarters, Army of the Valley.
The General Commanding
Hereby orders companies A, B, C, D, B, F, G, H, I,
K, of Ashby's cavalry to report to Brigadier-General Talia
ferro, and to be attached to his command ; the other compa
nies of the same command will report to Brigadier-General
Winder, to be attached to his command.
Col. Turner Ashby will command the advanoife-^uard of the
Army of the Valley, when on an advance, and the rear-guard
when in retreat, applying to Generals Taliaferro and Winder
for troops whenever they may be needed.
By order of
Major-Gen. T. J. Jackson.
It will be seen at once that the effect of this order
was to deprive Col. Ashby of his command. It is
not believed that Jackson took this view of it; on
the contrary, it is believed that the sole object of the
General in issuing the order was to bring the large
command of Col. Ashby immediately under the eye
of officers whom he thought better qualified to con-

SWIFT RUN GAP. 177
trol the men in camp, while in the field the cavalry
would still be under the control and lead of Ashby.
Dr. Dabney says, " When Gen. Jackson attempted
to stretch his vigorous hand over that part of his
army, so as to bring order out of confusion, he was^
met by a threat of resignation." The doctor is mis
taken. Ashby made no threats. He was not a man
to threaten anybody or anything save the enemy of
his country, and then he generally made it good by
brilliant execution. Ashby did not threaten to re
sign, but actually did resign, believing that his career
of usefulness under that order was ended. With this
belief, he but refiected the example of Jackson in the
Loring difficulty. Jackson was right. Ashby was right.
The next morning, Maj. Douglass remembers, Jackson,
informed of the tender of Ashby's resignation, imme
diately wrote him a note asking him to come to head
quarters. They were in conference together for some
time ; after a while, Ashby came out to where Pen
dleton and Douglass Avere standing, admiring his
horse. The Colonel was in fine spirits. In less
than an hour, another order was issued by General
Jackson, revoking the one given in substance above,
and there was no change made in Ashby's command,
and that officer, on that very day, rode his usual long
wearisome rounds on outpost duty. Both of these
noble spirits have since passed away in the morn
ing of their glory, and the world Avill never know
what passed between them in the interview above
alluded to. But Dr. Dabney shows an ignorance of
Jackson's true character, if, as his biographer, he

178 SWIFT RUN GAP.
would impress posterity with the idea that Stonewall
Jackson could have been moved from the path of
duty by the threat of resignation from Ashby. No.
To one correctly impressed with Gen. Jackson's true
character it is apparent that if, in his judgment, the
efficiency of his army demanded the enforcement of
the first order, it would have been enforced at all
hazards. Stonewall Jackson was not the man to be
trifled with by any one Avhen convinced that he was
right. Doubtless those two master-spirits, who after
wards rode together upon the storm of battle, and
are now safe in the harbor of glory, communed
freely with each other. And it was Jackson's judg
ment convinced of the impropriety of the flrst order,
and not his fears of Ashby's resignation under its
enforcement, which led him to revoke it. Had Dr.
Dabney seen the peculiar expression of Jackson's eye
when, in a conversation with the writer at Gordons
ville, in the summer of 1862, just after the brilliant
movement on McClellan's right, he was told that
some of the Valley men, chafing under his appoint
ment of field officers over the heads of those whom
the Ashby command had elected, had failed to cross
the mountains and take the line of defence along the
Rapidan, he remarked, " There must be some shoot
ing among these men," he never could have sup
posed that Stonewall was the man to be moved from
the path of duty by the fear of anything. He was
convinced that his order was wrong, and had the
straightforward manliness to revoke it within a few
hours after it had been issued.

SWIFT RUN GAP. 179
The writer regrets the necessity for the above para
graphs, but the true delineation of Jackson's char
acter, and the honor and fair fame of Ashby alike
demand them.
Banks, having " lost" Jackson, was content to sit
down in Harrisonburg and allow the golden oppor
tunity of seizing Staunton to slip through his trem
bling fingers ; for soon now the great Confederate
entered upon that round of military movements
which, while they baffled his antagonist and relieved
Richmond, by their brilliancy of conception and
energy and success of execution, electrified two con
tinents. The reader will remember that Ewell had been
left to watch the Upper Rappahannock Avhen John
ston moved to the Peninsula. This distinguished
officer was now called to Swift Run Gap to keep an
eye on Banks, while Jackson moved from his camp
and crossed the Blue Ridge, as if he were called to
the Confederate Capital. Having entered Albemarle
County, he immediately turned and re-entered the
Valley at the next practicable gap above Brown's
and was soon in Staunton. Meantime Ashby had
swung around, and was masking Jackson's movements
in the direction of General Ed. Johnson's position,
Avhich had been moved to within eight or ten miles
of Staunton. At this juncture the Colonel was
ordered to divide his command, sending ten com
panies with Jackson toward McDowell, while he
with the remainder watched Banks. This timid
officer, thinking that Jackson would in all proba-

180 BATTLE OF McDOWELL.
bility re-cross at Thornton's Gap in his rear, as soon
as he heard that the Confederates had broken camp
at Conrad's Store, fell back to New Market, Shenan
doah County, nineteen miles below Harrisonburg:
Ashby of course foUoAved him closely. The first
serious indisposition during A.shby's military life now
occurred — an attack of fever with dysenteric symp
toms, which obliged him to remain closely in camp
for several days, but soon yielded to proper treat
ment. The Avriter would feel it wrong to pass over
the extreme kindness of the people of the neighbor
hood during this time ; especially that of Mr. Roller
and family near Mount CraAvford, who were untiring
in their endeavors to contribute to his comfort and
relief. Gen. Jackson having noAv formed a junction Avith
General Ed. Johnson, moved with the united forces
upon Gen. Milroy, who Avas occupying the eastern
base of the Shenandoah Mountain. Of the cavalry
employed in this movement, the companies of Capts.
Sheetz and Wingfield must not be forgotten. There
were doubtless others equally faithful, but Jackson
especially noticed the intelligent and dauntless Sheetz,
Avho had well profited by the lessons of energy, im
petuosity tempered by prudence, and fidelity, taught
him by his beloved leader, Ashby.
It is foreign to the purpose of this memoir to
enter fully into the particulars of the stubborn fight
at McDowell ; suffice it to say that it was the prelude
to that series of successes Avhich, following each other
rapidly at Front Royal, Winchester, Cross-Keys,

BATTLE OF McDOWELL. 181
and Port Republic, carried joy and thankfulness to
every Southern heart. As soon as Milroy's retreat
began, the Ashby Cavalry under Wingfield and
Sheetz pressed their rear; while other detachments
were sent out to blockade every road by Avhich Banks
might have come to the rescue. This seems to have
been labor throAvn away, for this officer, mindful of
Mrs. Banks and the little Bankses, was not suffi
ciently in sympathy with Milroy or the interests of
his Government to jeopard the laurels won in
KernstoAvn's glorious victory, by pressing Jackson.
Milroy, like the bull of Southern woodlands, which
seeks shelter from mosquitoes in the friendly folds of
smoke, fired the mountains right and left as he re
treated. Jackson finding it impossible to overtake
his adversary, who seemed to make better progress
than he could through the element of fire, stopped at
Franklin. While Milroy hastened on to South
Branch Valley, where he joined Fremont, who,
though he must have had some faint idea that there
was fighting going on, so timed the movements of
his dastardly Dutch, as to keep out of harm's way
on this occasion. Jackson moved to Harrisonburg
by way of Lebanon Springs and Mossy Creek, Avhere
he found that Banks, in deference to the timidity of
Mr. Lincoln, had dispatched Shields by way of
Luray and the Manassas Gap Railroad, to the sup
port of McDowell, Avho was on the Rappahannock
guarding that avenue to the Federal Capital, instead
of combining with McClellan in his movement on
Richmond. Banks himself was at Strasburg, busily
16

182 BATTLE OF McDOWELL.
engaged in fortifying, while he Avas guarding his left
flank and the Manassas Gap Railroad by detachments
at .Buckton Station and Front Royal. Ashby con
stantly hovered around the enemy, ready to pounce
upon every scouting and foraging party, and Captain
Sam. Myers and his brave troopers were once more at
bome in the Fatherland of Shenandoah County.

CHAPTER IX,
BANKS — BUCKTON STATION-
WINCHESTER.
THE question may be asked by the reader, " Why
was it that Gen. Ewell, who was left at the east
ern mouth of Swift Run Gap to watch Banks while
Jackson disposed of Milroy, did not follow him up
and offer him battle?" He had two good reasons for
not doing so : First, his force amounting to only
about 8000, including cavalry, Avas not sufficient for
the numbers of Banks and Shields conjoined ; second,
the situation of affairs around Richmond seemingly
forbade Ewell to withdraAV further from a prize so
coveted by McClellan. While Jackson was at Staun
ton, uniting with General Ed. Johnson, the greatly
superior army of McClellan had forced Magruder
from Yorktown. The battle of Williamsburg soon
followed, and in a little while the Confederacy had
to lament the loss of that pride of the little Southern
Navy — the Virginia, Avhich was regarded as one of
the chief defences of the Capital. Many thought the
immediate evacuation of Richmond was then seri
ously contemplated by the Confederate authorities.
Be this as it may, it is due to that noble state-pris
oner to say, that while willing, if the necessity of
(1831

184 BANKS.
the case demanded it, to evacuate Richmond at that
time, Mr. Davis carefully endeavored to inspire all
about him with his own unyielding devotion to
Southern Independence, saying in effect, that there
Avas room enough in Virginia for twenty battle-fields,
even if Richmond were evacuated. But despite the
lofty patriotism of Mr. Davis, and the thousands of
true and trusty raen under the lead of General Jo.
Johnston, — notwithstanding the unselfish devotion to
country shown by Governor Letcher, the General
Assembly, and the Corporate Authorities of Rich
mond, it must be conceded that the situation of affairs
at the Confederate Capital was, if not really des
perate, at least very critical. Except as hindered by
the hastily erected defence at Drury's Bluff, the
James River led the enemy's gun-boats to the gates
of the city. McClellan's camp-fires could be seen
from the dome of the Capitol, as his unnumbered
hosts nightly lighted them along' the banks of the
sluggish yet friendly Chickahominy. McDowell
was pressing on in the direction of Fredericksburg;
Shields had left the Valley to strengthen McDowell,
when they were both to swing around the Confederate
left and so threaten Johnston's rear as to oblige him
to drop that rich morsel, the Confederate Capitail, into
the Federal jaws. The sky vras dark. Strong men
grew fearful. Women even were seen to lose hope.
But towering far above this atmosphere clouded by
gloom and despondency, sat that august triumvirate
of military genius, sustained by a Nation's confi
dence, — Lee, Johnston, and Jackson. Jackson ! Then

BANKS. 185
work must be done in the Valley ! By Avhom ? — ¦
Jackson and Ashby. We will soon see the result.
Ashby was at that time watching Banks frora the hills
around Strasburg, with his picket-line so extended
from mountain to mountain as to shut out all Con
federate movements from Federal view. At this
juncture Mr. Banks, felicitating himself upon a suc
cessful movement upon the part of Shields, was di
recting the energies of his polemic mind to the study
of salients and redoubts in the fortifications he was
then constructing around Strasburg, while his man
Friday was busily employed in making diagrams
thereof, the said diagrams and redoubts being about
equally efficient iri checking Jackson's " foot cavalry."
Jackson was again in the Valley, and having the dis
cretionary power from Gen. Johnston, determined to
relieve Richmond by threatening Washington. Hav
ing had an interview with Gen. Ewell, the head of
the Confederate column was soon turned down the
Valley toward the Potomac. Gen. Dick Taylor's
Louisiana Brigade, by way of deceiving the enemy,
• if they should chance to hear of anything which
occurred, was marched out of Luray Valley and
formed a junction with Jackson's column at New
Market. Col. Ashby with part of his cavalry was
recalled from the vicinity of Strasburg, leaving a few
companies there under the command of Capt. Sam.
Myers, to watch and deceive the enemy. This gal
lant officer made such admirable disposition of his
small force as to keep Banks in a state of nervous
anticipation of attack in front. Meantime, the Con-
10*

186 BANKS.
federate force under Jackson had left the Valley
turnpike at New Market, and was then crossing the
Massanutten Mountain, in the direction of Luray,
the county-seat of Page. The writer well remembers
the appearance of Ashby, that bright May evening,
as he rode at the head of his column. He was
thinner than usual from his late illness, but as he
then appeared, with his lithe figure exactly balanced
in the saddle, now and then looking back upon his
column as it wound its way along the serpentine
road crossing the mountain, it was apparent to all
that there was work ahead. That night the army
camped in the vicinity of Luray, where a junction
was formed with the remaining brigades of Ewell's
Division. Here Ave were delighted to meet with the
two fine cavalry regiments, the Second and Sixth, com
manded respectively by Colonels Thomas Mumford
and Stanhope Flournoy. Next morning the move
ment was continued, not across, but along the western
base of the Blue Ridge, in the direction of Front
Royal, where a strong detachment of the enemy was
watching the mouth of the Luray Valley, as well as
guarding the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad.
The cavalry and Chew's Battery AA'ere thrown in
advance. The line of march was the same taken by
the main body, until Colonel Ashby reached the road
diverging to the left, crossing the South Branch of
the Shenandoah at McCoy's Ford, and leading to
Buckton Station on the Manassas Gap Railroad.
Here two companies of Federal infantry were sta
tioned, numbering some one hundred and forty men.

BUCKTON STATION. 187
They were charged with the duty of picketing the
Luray road and guarding the neighboring railroad
bridge. After crossing McCoy's Ford, Col. Ashby continued
to move doAvn the road winding around the north
end of Massanutten Mountain toward Strasburg, until
he came to Bell's Mill. Here he ordered Sergeant
Richardson, of Company E, to take four men and
proceed to Water-Lick Station on the railroad, Avhere
he was to perform vidette duty in the direction of
Strasburg. Ashby himself, with companies A, B,
E, F, and G, passed by the Warren Springs and Avas
soon in the vicinity of Buckton Station. With Ser
geant Jenkins, of Company E, as his guide, he imme
diately reconnoitred the position, and found the
eneray quartered in the depot and another building
near it, while there were several tents close by. He
returned, formed his line, and charged upon the depot.
The first onslaught, though to some extent a surprise,
did not dislodge the enemy, who poured a galling fire
upon the Confederates as they advanced, and it Avas
not until a second charge was made that they were
driven from the depot and forced back across Passage
Creek, Avhere the Wisconsin troops had established
themselves, and were firing rapidly upon Ashby and
his exposed men. The depot, filled Avith stores and
baggage, Avas fired immediately. The telegraph Avire
was also cut in several places. As the enemy, under
the safe cover of the railroad embankment, still held
the bridge over Passage Creek, Ashby formed his line
again for a third charge. It would have been Avell

188 BUCKTON STATION.
if he had retired instead. But in his desire to sever
the railroad connection by burning the bridge, he did
not pause to Aveigh consequences. Placing himself
at the head of his men, he cried, " Forward, boys ! we
will get every mother's son of them." The charge
was a bold one. The men, fully aroused by the
clarion voice of their leader, and stimulated by the
presence and example of such offlcers as Sheetz,
Fletcher, Wingfield, Buck, Mason, and others, dashed
forward recklessly over fences, rough ground, every
intervening obstacle, up to the very embankment, but
the Wisconsin men behind it poured such a deadly
volley that the charge was checked. Ashby drew
back only to lead another desperate onset upon the
Avork. But the position was too strong. Ashby
said, " If my little Blakeley were here, these people
should not escape." Without artillery as he was, he
Avas obliged to abandon the effort to destroy the
bridge, an object which in his opinion was sufficient
to justify this exposure of life; for if there had been
an officer of energy and spirit at Strasburg, this bridge
might haA'e been serviceable in thwarting Jackson's
flank movement. The writer feels compelled to con
demn the manner of this attack. To charge a forti
fied or covered position under any circumstances is
sufficiently dangerous, but doubly so with mounted
men. The men ought to have been dismounted.
The first charge cost the Confederacy the gallant
Fletcher; in the second fell the noble Sheetz, a youth
whom the writer has heard an old United States cav
alry officer of high rank declare to be "the most

BUCKTON STATION. 189
promising cavalry officer on the continent." Among
the wounded were Hatcher of Company A, and
Inskip of Company F. As Ashby rode forward to
reconnoitre the enemy's position more carefully after
the unsuccessfiil charges, an incident occurred which
shows his coolness, and regard for his men. Young
Buck of Company E had been acting as courier for
the Colonel, and was returning from calling in the
vidette under Richardson at Water-Lick, when, as he
approached Buckton, he was so unfortunate as to have
his horse killed. He thus relates the story: — " The
Colonel was upon a rising ground, directly in front
of the enemy's sharp-shooters. Having taken my
equipments off my dead horse, I was passing to the
rear with them, when he called me and asked if I was
hurt. I told him no, but that I had lost my horse.
'Oh!' said he, 'that is bad, too bad! but I am glad
that you are not hurt.' Just then a ball whistled
through the ear of his black charger. He merely
spoke to his horse to quiet him. I then said, ' Colonel,
don't you think that position too much exposed for
you ? ' ' Oh, no,' said he ; ' that was only a stray ball ;
but you'd better see to yourself. Go to your com
pany and get one of the boys to take you up behind
him ; we must leave here.' I passed on, and soon
after Ave were on our way to Front Royal."
Jackson's order had been obeyed, but its execution
cost us two of the noblest men who ever followed the
heroic Ashby, — Captains Fletcher and Sheetz. As
the dauntless deeds of the latter will be more fully
detailed in an accompanying Memoir, the writer will

190 BUCKTON STATION.
only pause long enough to say that, although he had
butthe spring before taken his first lessons in Avar,
yet he had already dcA'eloped many of the finest
qualities of a good officer. Bold as a lion, his cour
age was tempered by prudence ; impetuous in battle
as a thunderbolt, he Avas as quiet and modest as a
woman when in camp. There Avas one feature of his
character to which special attention should be directed
— his love of the profession of arras. The writer
has often seen him, after a hard day's march or a bold
reconnoissance, seated beside the camp-fire intently
poring over " The Cavalry Officer's Manual" or some
other military work. All Avere accustomed to regard
him as one who would make the honor and defence
of his country his duty for life. And so he did ; but
the fatal missile came before he had done much more
than enter upon that career for which he was by na
ture so eminently fitted. Capt. Fletcher had only a
feAV months before succeeded to the command of Com
pany A, but in that short time his bearing in the
field gave high promise of future excellence, and eli
cited the admiration of Ashby and all the officers of
his command. His work at Buckton Station accom
plished, Ashby, bearing his noble dead, took the road
to Front Royal, Avhere in the meantime there had
been some spirited work. When Ashby filed off
from the road to make his movement on Buckton
Station, Jackson's coluran continued its march to
Avards Front Royal. Here, under the personal super
intendence of the General, a very brilliant little vic
tory Avas won, resulting in the capture of nearly

BUCKTON STATION. 191
the Avhole of the Federal detachment, stationed there,
with two pieces of artillery, and valuable stores never
fully estimated. A few of the cavalry reached Win
chester after a regular John Gilpin ride.
The gallantry of several officers was so marked on
this occasion as to win the praise of Stonewall Jack
son. Prominent among them Avas Lt.-Col. S. Flour
noy of the 6th Virginia Cavalry, who had crossed
the river above Front Royal and come out into the
Winchester road just at that critical juncture Avhich
enabled him to secure the spoils of victory. His
charges with cavalry upon infantry were regarded as
admirable by those capable of judging. In his last
decisive one the Confederacy lost two most gallant
officers. Captain Baxter of the 6th Virginia Cavalry,
and Major Davis, Commissary on the staff of Gen.
Dick Taylor, — a volunteer for the fight. The people
of the Piedmont and Valley counties will long re
member the brave and modest Baxter, while every
Southern heart should cherish the memory of Major
Davis. A native of Roxbury, Massachusetts, he
was living in New Orleans Avhen the war broke out.
He entered one of the volunteer companies from that
city, and soon rose to the rank of Major on Gen.
Taylor's staff. Far away from the home and friends
of youth, when the struggle came on, regardless of
sectional ties, he chose to battle with the Confederates
for the preservation of that inestimable boon — Con
stitutional liberty. He lay buried on the field of his
glory until the rude shock of Avar was over, Avhen
his aged father, with Avhose full consent he had en-

192 BUCKTON STATION.
tered the Confederate service, came on and gave his
noble child a final resting-place among the patriots
sleeping in the Stonewall Cemetery, Winchester, Va.
But while we pause to mention this generous stranger,
who came, as Washington said of Baron. De Kalb,
" to water with his blood the tree of liberty," events
momentous and glorious are to be related.
The attacks upon Front Royal and Buckton proved
perfect surprises to the doomed Banks, who was still
skirmishing with the companies of cavalry left above
Strasburg. As soon, therefore, as the Confederate
movement unmasked itself in the capture of Front
Royal, the Massachusetts politician found himself
reduced to the bare choice between a fight and a foot
race. Not liking the unceremonious manner in which
Jackson had disposed of his garrison at Front Royal,
and catching with his mind's eye the gleam of Ash
by's sabre at Buckton, as well as from constitutional
tendencies, this fine representative of politico-military
chieftains chose the foot-race. It would seem that
Jackson had read Banks's character aright. Think
ing he would endeavor to go directly to the Potomac,
he made the following disposition to intercept this
Mahomet of the Ethiopians on his hegira down
the Valley. Ewell Avas ordered to move directly on
Winchester, keeping his cavalry, the 6th and 2d Vir
ginia, under Brigadier-General Geo. Stuart, well on
his left, with Newtown as the point at which they
should strike the retreating column. Jackson, as
though to keep the whole tide of battle before his eye,
diverged from the Winchester road at a little hamlet

WINCHESTER. 193
called CedarviUe, taking the old Chapel road leading
to Middletown, on the turnpike five miles below
Strasburg. Col. Ashby, with his small force and
Chew's Battery, moved on Jackson's left, still nearer
the enemy at Strasburg. This disposition of troops
having been made, the movement began early on
Saturday morning. In the movement, Col. Ashby
Avas careful to post his watchful videttes well onTiis
left from Strasburg to Front Royal, to keep himself
advised of any movement that might be made in that
direction ; for, at that stage of affairs, it was barely
possible that the enemy might attempt to cross the
mountains towards Manassas. At this point Major
Funsten Avas ordered to take a detachment and strike
the enemy between Middletown and Newtown. So
Avell was this duty performed, that his bold attack
forced a considerable body of them to try to save
themselves and their wagon-train by leaving the turn
pike and taking the " Back " or Cedar Creek road to
Winchester. But he pressed them so closely, that,
setting fire to their wagons, they fled wildly through
the fields. This compelled the Confederates to scat
ter out to capture the flying squads, and night over
took them in their pursuit and capture of the swift-
footed fugitives.
Except some skirmishing betAveen Ashby's advance
guard and some Federal reconnoitring parties,
nothing of moment occurred until the head of the
column approached the turnpike near Middletown,
when the rising clouds of dust gave indisputable
evidence of a rapid retreat. Ashby at the head of his
17

194 WINCHESTER.
squadrons threw himself upon the retreating foe, and
soon the rout began. Stopping only long enough
to intensify the panic by turning the foremost wagons
of the enemy's line, and halting and capturing bands
of fugitives, he would leap over the stone fences, and
dashing forward, reappear only to repeat his success
ful efforts to produce a panic. Soon the turnpike
was ablaze, and the work of destroying wagons, pon
toons, capturing prisoners, &c., was fairly begun.
Such was the impetuosity of Ashby in this onslaught,
that he found himself separated for a time from the
main body of his force. Here it was that he rushed
down the turnpike almost alone, so intimidating the
foe by his terrible presence, as he struck among them
right and left, crying out, "Charge them, boys!
charge them ! " at the same time spurring his splendid
black charger rapidly through the line, that he ordered
several hundred of their dismayed cavalry to surren
der. The order was instantly obeyed, and "five
hundred of the enemy threw down their arms, dis
mounted, and, at the word, squatted as meekly as so
many mice upon the ground," until some of his troopers
came up and took them in charge. This accomplished,
the Colonel pushed on, and at another point repeated
his charge upon the dismayed column as it was swept
along the turnpike by the whirlwind of panic. An
eye-witness describing this panic-stricken mass, says :
"When our men would charge the Federal cavalry,
they would tumble off their horses, roll over, scream,
and scramble to the road-side in the most amusing

WINCHESTER. 195
Meantime Jackson had been detained a little while
at MiddletoAvn by the apparent advance of that part
of the Federal column which had been cut off above
the toAvn. Not knowing what proportion of the
Federal force lay behind him, he made such disposi
tions as were necessary to meet any attempt to cut a
way for retreat. Soon, however, the enemy, turned
back toward Strasburg, where they were already
attacked by Capt. Sam. Myers and his force of cavalry.
These men finally retreated to the South Branch
Valley by Avay of Wardensville and Capon Springs.
The main body of the enemy continued to press on
in wild confusion toward Newtown. Here some
unusually enterprising officer, hoping that some ad
vantage might be gained if the tide of panic could
be checked until the now rapidly approaching night,
threw some artillery in position on the hills around,
and thus for the time checked the fury of the Con
federate onslaught. ChcAv's Battery Avas placed in
position by Ashby, a little west of Dr. McLeod's
house, on the left of the turnpike, and a spirited
artillery duel soon began. The enemy's guns Avere
supported by bodies of sharp-shooters concealed be
hind the stone fences so common in this limestone
region. Soon Poague's Battery (the old Rockbridge)
went into position in support of ChcAv's. The
enemy's sharp-shooters annoyed the cannoniers ter
ribly, when Ashby, seeing the men picked off by
the deliberate aim of men fighting from cover,
placed himself at the head of. a squadron of cavalry
and called out, " Cease firing. Captain Poague ; I '11

196 WINCHESTER.
charge them ! I '11 charge them ! " Like a bolt from
a thunder-cloud, Ashby was upon them, and soon
the Confederates worked their guns more freely ; for
the Federal sharp-shooters were unable to stand be
fore Ashby's impetuous charge. The whole Federal
column again rushed forward in rapid retreat, but
the short stand had brought Avith it the advantages
of the night. What happened under the cover of
darkness during those fearful hours of carnage and
panic, from Newtown, along the battle-field of Kerns
town up to the very suburbs of Winchester, is only
known to One, into whose presence many an unpre
pared soul passed that night.
About one o'clock, Sunday morning, just at the
north end of Kernstown on the turnpike, the Con
federate column halted. Jackson and his staff were
resting for a few hours. Some of his staff were so
worn down by fatigue that they fell asleep in the
fence corner. Major Douglass remembers that Ashby
was in conference with the commanding general at
this point. A characteristic anecdote of Jackson is
related as having occurred on this occasion. Colonel
Fulkerson approached Gen. Jackson, who was on the
turnpike, and observed, " General, if I may be per
mitted to offer a suggestion, I think the troops had
better be rested for an hour or so ; my men are falling
by the road-side from fatigue and loss of sleep. Un
less, they are rested, I shall be able to present but a
thin line to-morrow." General Jackson replied,
" Colonel, I yield to no man in my sympathy for the
gallant men under my command ; but I am obliged

WINCHESTER. 197
to sweat them to-night, that I may save their blood
to-morrow. The line of hills southwest of Win
chester must not be occupied by the enemy's artillery.
My own must be there and in position by daylight.
You shall, however, have two hours rest."
Pleasant must have been the thoughts of Ashby as
he contrasted the evening of the 23d of March and
its gloomy hours of retreat, with this 24th of May, —
the excitement of attack, the flerce joy of battle, and
the exhilarating consciousness that victory was now
perched upon the Confederate standard ; but sweeter
far must have been the reflection that, pending the
two long months of painful retreat, only relieved by
brilliant outpost skirmishing on his part, he had
done what he could to stay the tide of invasion
threatening to inundate the fairest portion of his be
loved Virginia with all the horrors of Federal thrall.
And joyous, indeed, must have been his noble heart,
as he bivouacked for a little time, that rest might
renew his energies for the work of the coming day.
He slept well. The dawn was not yet at hand. He
had passed the critical juncture in his life : he had
struck the tide of military affairs, just as the flood
gates of invasion were opened upon Virginia after
the battle of Kernstown : he had won, and modestly
and gratefully wore the wreath of honor placed upon
his brow by those Avhose love and gratitude he had so
well earned, — a wreath which will be kept green by
a grateful people long after those who would wither
its leaves are forgotten. But while he sleeps, the
reader must be told why there are so few of his
17*

198 WINCHESTER.
trusty troopers around him. When Jackson moved
upon McDowell, ten companies of the Ashby cavalry
went with him. The greater number of these men,
or rather of those whose horses were fit for service,
(for the movement was a very trying one to the
animals,) were immediately posted in the gaps of the
North Mountain to watch the movements of Fremont
as he Avas pressing on to form one of the links ofthe
chain forged at Washington, with which to bind
Jackson. Capt. Sam. Myers had with him at Stras
burg his own and three other companies. One com
pany had been sent to watch the movements of Shields,
then known to be advancing in the direction of Front
Royal. Two companies had been left at Front Royal
to co-operate with Colonel Connor of the Twelfth
Georgia Infantry, to guard the valuable stores and
prisoners captured at that place ; and one company was
on an important scout towards Strasburg. Thus Ave
see there Avere some eighteen companies of his caA'alry
guarding Jackson's flanks, while their noble leader
was resting his weary limbs. And when Ave remem
ber that the number with which he left Front Royal
and pierced Banks' line of retreat at Middletown,
after the serious work began on the turnpike, Avas
necessarily lessened by the details made to guard
prisoners, we can understand upon what data Lieut.
J. H. Williams, of ChcAv's Battery, estimated them
at about one hundred men.
No one will pretend to say that the plundering
after the initial success at Middletown was entirely
confined to the infantry. Col. Ashby was too busily

WINCHESTER. 199
engaged with the important duty of keeping up the
panic and preventing the enemy from getting artil
lery in position to play upon the pursuers, to attend
to or prevent it, and regretted extremely that any
member of his command should have so forgotten
his duty on this occasion. The charge, however,
that the plundering was for the most part confined to
the cavalry is as untrue as it is unkind. That body
of noble patriots known first as the Ashby Cavalry,
and afterwards, under William E. Jones and Rosser,
as the Laurel Brigade, which still preserves with
lofty pride the memory of such men as Sheetz,
Fletcher, Marshall, Myers, Magruder, Jamie Thomp
son, and the gallant Coyner, shall not be branded
with impunity as stragglers and plunderers, par
excellence, while a grateful people retain the recollec
tion of what was accomplished by them under the
lead of Ashby. As day began to break, Jackson
proceeded to make his dispositions for the attack.
During this time, Ashby came up, and Jackson and
himself had a private interview, of which we can
only judge by results. After it was over, Ashby
moved off to Jackson's extreme left. It may be
proper to say that Jackson had received informa
tion that Banks had been strongly reinforced, hence
the reader will readily account for the absence of
any feature of investment in his movements. Gen.
Ewell having advanced upon the Front Royal road
to the vicinity of Winchester, formed his line upon
both sides ofthe road, uniting his left with Jackson's
right. The Sixth and Second Virginia Cavalry, under

200 WINCHESTER.
General George Stewart, formed the extreme right of
Ewell's line. Jackson's line, with his artillery posted
on the coveted range of hills southwest of the town,
was formed on both sides of the Valley turnpike;
Ashby, as before inentioned, being upon his extreme
left. As soon as daylight came, Jackson saw that
Banks had made the fatal mistake of not attempting
to hold the hills which constituted the key-point of
the situation. Immediately the order "Advance"
was passed along the whole line. With the exception
of the resistance offered Ewell by Donelly, command
ing a brigade in the vicinity of D. HoUingsworth's
Mill, in which the Twenty-first North Carolina and
the Twenty-first Georgia suffered considerably, that
officer pressed the enemy steadily back. Nor was
Jackson's advance less brilliant. Taylor's Brigade
charged the enemy, who seemed to be moving towards
the then wooded heights northwest of the town, and
soon forced them into precipitate retreat. Ashby's ad
vance * led him across the Northwestern Grade a little
* Since preparing the above, the writer has been informed
by Lieut. Joseph Wood and Private Alfred Tanquary, Com
pany C, Twelfth Virginia RegimenJ of Cavalry, Laurel Bri
gade, that Ashby, at the head of his troopers, accompanied
by Major Funsten, charged through the town of Winches
ter with drawn sabres, taking Braddock street first where it
is entered by Water from the west. They say, furthermore,
that Ashby in the advance continued to drive the enemy, not
allowing them time to form, until with about 400 cavalry they
made a short stand at the "Yellow House," 8 miles north of
Winchester. The pursuit was energetically continued beyond
Darksville that night. Lieut. Wood remembers that this was
the only time he ever saw Gen. Ashby run his horse. These

WINCHESTER. 201
west of the towu. As soon as he saw the complete
success of the Confederate arms, he swooped down
upon the flying masses of the enemy, which, rushing
wildly forward, sought every avenue of escape, crowd
ing the roads, and even flelds leading to Pughtown
and the North Mountain, as well as the more direct
turnpike leading to the Potomac. Along the left of
the enemy's main line he was busy in capturing
squads of them and sending them to the rear. Those
who stood in the court-house yard in Winchester,
where the prisoners were guarded, will remember
that he was sending in squads of prisoners during
the entire day. The reader will bear in mind, as we
have before said, that Banks's men retreated by no
one particular line ; but that to the north-northeast
and northwest of the town the fields as well as roads
were literally blue with the retreating foe. Of the
3000 prisoners captured during this movement, nearly
all, except the 700 found in the hospitals, were taken
in small squads, seldom exceeding fifteen or twenty.
It is needless to follow Ashby along his whole ride
to Bunker Hill; — suffice it to say that, in proportion
gentlemen both live in the vicinity of Winchester, and went
through the Confederate struggle with honor to themselves.
They concur M'ith the writer in saying that there is no ground*
for Dr. Dabney's expression of an "independent enterprise"
on the part of Gen. Ashby, — who was at no time during the
pursuit over a mile west of the Martinsburg turnpike. They
say he had not a large force of cavalry. This is accounted
for in the text. Reference is furthermore made to Colonel
Preston Chew's letter to the writer, published together with
the sketch of that gallant officer in this volume.

202 WINCHESTER
to his force, no offlcer contributed more to swell the
spoils of victory. It is true that "when Jackson
issued into the open ground again at the Martinsburg
turnpike," the movements of his faithful cavalry
officer did not come within range of his eye as it
eagerly swept over the fields, " dark with a confused
multitude of fugitives utterly without order or
thought of resistance." But the untiring Ashby was
at work behind the hills which shut out the crowds of
fugitives who sped along their western bases in wild
dismay. And if, when he reached Bunker's Hill,
he had by his side but a "handful" of his tired
troopers, he had sent many handfuls of the enemy
back to the rear under the guard of his men, thus
from time to time reducing his little band. Doctor
Dabney is both unjust and ungenerous towards the
unfaltering soldier, when, in the attempt to account
for the failure to reap the full benefits of this victory,
throwing the blame upon the cavalry, he says of
Ashby : " With a handful around him he had under
taken an independent enterprise to cut off a detach
ment of Federalists on the left ; and passing around
the scene of action, he joined in the pursuit many
hours after at Bunker Hill." We have already seen
*hat Ashby's command, by the many and heavy de
tails made from it to guard Jackson's flanks, was
reduced to about 100 men on the morning of the
advance. We can, therefore, understand AA'hy Doctor
Dabney should call the command a handful ; but we
cannot understand Avhy that gentleman should have
found it necessary to place Col, Ashby in so new a

WINCHESTER. 203
relation to General Jackson as that of inaugurating
"independent enterprises" on the eve of battle.
Major Douglass, of Jackson's staff, remembers that
Jackson and Ashby bivouacked together an hour or
two before that Sunday morning was ushered in by
the artillery which sent Banks' reeling back to the
Potomac. 'They had bivouacked together at Charles
town in '59-60. They had met at Harper's Ferry in
the spring of 1861. They had conferred together,
again and again, as to what was best to be done on
the painful retreat from Kernstown ; and now, on
the threshold of a day big with consequences, would
Colonel Ashby venture upon an " independent enter
prise" Avithin ear-shot of Stonewall Jackson? The
people of the Valley of Virginia, in the immediate
defence of whose homes he offered up his life, say.
No ! The citizens of the old Commonwealth whose
flag he was the flrst to unfurl at Harper's Ferry, say.
No ! The survivors of the A.shby Brigade who were
with him, indignantly say, No ! Those Avho did not
survive, but now fill honored graves, by the love and
admiration they ever bore him, say, No ! Nay, more :
Stonewall Jackson, faithfully delineated, said. No!
when, in less than ten days after Col. Ashby set out
on this " independent enterprise," he made him chief
of all the cavalry operating in the Valley, and this
too, at the request of such soldiers as Mumford and
Flournoy. Had not Ashby's presence on the scene
of action been brought satisfactorily before Jackson's
approving judgment, that stern disciplinarian's pen
would never have signed the order making Ashby

204 WINCHESTER.
his Chief of Cavalry. If Ashby on this occasion
seems to need any defence, it is best made by rescuing
Jackson from the pen of Dr. Dabney and allowing
him to speak for himself in his order making Gen.
Ashby his Chief of Cavalry. The order of repri
mand emanating from Jackson and penned by Dr.
Dabney, then the A. A. G., was surely intended for
some other officer — not for Ashby. Otherwise we
place Jackson in the strange paradox of severely
reprimanding him to-day and then promoting him
to-morrow. — The paradox is apparent. Official
lapses in the estimation ofthe stern but just Jackson,
were offences of no ordinary magnitude, and in the
case of an officer of high rank became almost unpar
donable, as in the case of a most gallant and accom
plished officer at Kernstown. The reader may there
fore very safely conclude, that, as there was consist
ency in Jackson, so was there obedience to orders in
this "independent enterprise" of Ashby, at least in
the opinion of Jackson ; and he may further conclude,
that, if Jackson promoted Ashby, — and we know
that he did, — then it must have been a promotion
earned in the line of duty, and not on a Avild-goose
chase, or an "independent enterprise." But this
line of thought need not be further extended. The
writer has simply desired to defend Jackson and
Ashby from the unfriendly pen of the Professor.
Every soldier Avhose eye has followed these lines has,
doubtless, long ago concluded that Ashby's promo
tion found him in the path of duty, and not foUoAV-
ing some bridle-path among the mountains west of

WINCHESTER. 205
Winchester, as Dr. Dabney's expression, "indepen
dent enterprise," would lead his readers to believe.
Having followed the enemy from Middletown,
fifteen miles above, to Darkesville, fifteen miles below
Winchester, Col. Ashby halted his weary men, and,
with Chew's battery, bivouacked for the night. The
next morning he pushed on to Martinsburg, to find
that the enemy had abandoned that post during the
night, leaving behind stores and camp equipage of
great value. Among the many stores Avere thousands
of bushels of oats, upon Avhich the horses of the com
mand were soon luxuriating, not, however, until after
the country had been thoroughly scoured for fugitives
of both colors ; for among them Avere many of the
once contented slaA'es, who had been duped away from
their homes, in some cases by having held before their
eyes the alluring picture of " a gentleman of color,"
entitled to all the privileges and immunities of
American citizenship, to be enjoyed without the,
drawback of honest labor ; in others; by working on
their fears, by telling them that the Confederates
were butchering their sable brethren at Front Royal.
These demoniacal appliances of Abolitionism, a part
of the history of the times, will satisfactorily account
for the mingling of black spirits and blue which were
seen in the squads of prisoners sent back from the
Potomac to Winchester. This victory was fruitful
in yielding just such sujiplies as our Government
most needed. Medicines, hospital appliances, surgical
instruments, tents, beef-cattle, and horses; amounting
to thousands of dollars in value, and in importance
18

206 WINCHESTER.
far above the prisoners taken. These were some of the
main features of the physical victory, while the stun
ning stroke dealt the stolid Banks, in its moral effects
and consequences, reached the whole South, and
victory after victory began to cluster around the Con
federate stars and bars. M'Dowell was recalled from
M'Clellan's right, and the city of Richmond was safe.
May 27th, Col. Ashby, with a small escort, rode up
to Winchester ; he found Gen. Jackson quartered at
Taylor's Hotel. Here Capt. A. S. Pendleton, of
Jackson's staff, handed him his commission of Briga
dier-General, remarking: "I do this with great
pleasure, General Ashby, hoping that as you are soon
to command a Brigade, the country may expect less
exposure of your life." The General smiled, took
the paper, and was soon on his way back to camp, in
the vicinity of Martinsburg. On the 30th of May
he received orders to move back to Winchester.

CHAPTER X.
SHIELDS — FREMONT— RETREAT.
THE effect of this bold movement upon Banks was
soon visible in the changes which it necessitated
in the plans of the Federal campaign. Shields was
immediately recalled from McDoAvell's assistance,
and ordered to close in behind Jackson from the east,
whilst Fremont Avas ordered to hurl his legions upon
the great Confederate from the South Branch Valley.
At Washington City it Avas thought that this combi
nation must necessarily result in the capture of Jack
son ; and really it seemed to promise Avell. May 30th,
upon moving back to Winchester, Ashby found Jack
son making every arrangement for a retreat. The
scouting party which had been sent to Fauquier,
reported Shields to be advancing upon Front Royal.
Indeed, the Confederates at the last-named point had
been driven back Avith the loss of all the stores and
prisoners captured there. The cavalry which had
been sent to Hampshire and Hardy had returned
with the unwelcome ncAvs of the approach of Fre
mont by Avay of Capon Springs. These tidings ac
counted for the appearance of things when Ashby
reached Winchester about midday on the 30th of
May. Here he received orders to move with his
cavalry and artillery on the Front Royal road. As
(207)

208 SHIELDS.
he rode through town, the many familiar faces of
friends, mingled with many unknoAvn, all eager to
catch a glimpse of Ashby, gave pleasing evidence of
the promptness Avith which a people devoted to liberty
repaid the distinguished services of one known and
recognized as among its chief defenders. But this
officer was too much occupied Avith the pressing duties
of the hour to pause, though doubtless gratified to
find that both the people and the army appreciated his
performance of duty. Moving rapidly in the direc
tion ordered, he struck the Federal advance from
Front Royal at CedarviUe. Here he placed Chew's
battery in position and opened fire upon the enemy,
which he soon found to be a body of infantry. In
the meantime, he dispatched a body of troopers
familiar with the country to the neighborhood of
SmoketoAvn, near where Manassas Creek empties into
the Shenandoah, somewhat to the rear of the Federal
right flank. This or some other cause operating upon
Shields, induced him to retire to Front Royal, and
Col. Ashby Avithdrew to Middletown, near Avhich he
encamped. The greater part of Jackson's prisoners,
trains, and troops had already passed. The Stone
wall brigade, under the command of Gen. Charles
Winder, had made a forced march of nearly forty
miles, from near Harper's Ferry, and was encamped
at NewtoAvn. Ashby dispatched one or two compa
nies to Avatch Shields, ordering them to report in
stantly any movement of the enemy to Gen. Jackson,
whose head-quarters were at Mr. Hupp's, near Stras
burg. He also, sent out a force to reconnoitre the

SHIELDS. 209
position of Fremont, then at Cottontown, near at
hand on the west. Little, if any, did Ashby sleep
that night, for he well knew the moment was a criti
cal one in the life of Jackson, who had not yet gath
ered up all his troops from the detached services
upon which the Federal advance found them. Yes,
it was a very critical period in the life of Jackson,
and none knew it better than himself, as he spent the
sleepless hours of that rainy night in receiving the
information of the various scouting parties sent out
by Ashby. The writer has been informed by Mr.
Hupp that Jackson took no rest that night. The
following incident will show the General's perfect
absorption of time and energy by the critical exigen
cies of the situation. On Sunday morning, June 1st,
the Avriter rode up to Gen. Jackson's head-quarters
and Avas met by Major Hawks of his staff. Upon
inquiring whether he could see the General, he was
informed that he was at his devotions, but would see
him directly. The Avriter, in walking through the
passage, saw through a door a little ajar, his kneeling
form; returning shortly after, he was still kneeling
at the bedside. Shortly after the General came out,
and upon being asked Avhether the movements of the
troops ^ould allow of the performance of divine ser
vice in camp, exclaimed, "Is this Sunday? it had
escaped me : I have been very busy lately." Jack
son had forgotten it was Sunday, but had not forgotten
his prayers. Just then Ewell's guns opened on Fre
mont's advance, and the inquiry needed no answer.
There was no service that day. Winder, meanwhile,
18*

210 FREMONT.
came up. Ewell was recalled, and the retreat was re
sumed. Ashby, as usual, covered the rear, skirmish
ing briskly Avith the enemy all day. About twelve
o'clock at night he went into camp near Tom's Brook,
four miles north of Woodstock. The failure of
Shields to come in at Strasburg led Jackson to think
he was pressing up the Luray Valley, to fall in his
rear at Ncav Market, some thirty miles above the point
at which Fremont entered the Shenandoah Valley.
Gen. Ashby was ordered to send a detachment of
cavalry post-haste to burn the White House and
Columbia bridges on the south fork of the Shenan
doah. This was accomplished, and Shields, whose
pontoon bridges the luckless Banks had sacrificed,
was again thwarted. Fremont finding that Jackson
was retiring, began now to advance more boldly.
To-day, June 2d, the tired troopers of Ashby were
in some measure relieved from the perilous duty of
rear-guard. Brigadier-Gen. Stuart, commanding the
6th and 2d Virginia Cavalry, Avas ordered te cover
the retreat. "Near Woodstock," says Col. Mumford,
of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, in his report, "the
enemy had become very bold and annoying. My
regiment Avas throAvn to the right and rear of Caskie's
Battery, on the left of the road coming up the Valley,
one company acting on my flank. Here the enemy
shelled us furiously, and I was ordered by Gen. Stuart
to move back out of range, and crossed Avith my
command to the other side of the turnpike to support
a battery there in position, Avhich Avould check the
enemy Avhilst Caskie's Battery Avas retiring. In exe-

FREMONT. 211
cuting this order, after we had gone but a few hun
dred yards, to my utter surprise I saw the battery
and cavalry running together pell-mell, and the
Yankees after them full speed  Here the
gallant Ashby succeeded in rallying about fifty strag
gling infantry, and poured a volley into the Yankee
cavalry, emptying many saddles, and giving them a
check, cleared the road for the rest of the day."
Gen. Ashby, as we have seen, was not charged
with the management of the rear-guard on this occa
sion. After the hurried retreat of Caskie's Battery,
the Federal cavalry, emboldened by their initial suc
cess, continued to press on. Ashby's eagle eye soon
took in the danger of the situation, and he determined
that the panic should be stopped. There chanced,
most opportunely, to be just there "a small body of
riflemen lagging, foot-sore and Aveary, behind their
commands." These he quickly aroused to the neces
sity of the occasion, and stationed under cover ; as the
Federal squadron went hurrying on to spread tho
panic among the next regiments, he poured such a
deadly volley into their ranks as to indisputably settle
the question, that with Ashby in the rear, " Jackson's
foot-cavalry" could not be stampeded. Many sad
dles were emptied of brave Federal troopers, for it
was indeed a bold dash; but they found a lion in
their path. Thus does it seem that Ashby was not
only "eyes and ears" to Stonewall Jackson, but even
the right arm of his defence. AfterAvards, as he rode
along the columns of Confederate infantry, the air
resounded Avith cheers, — these brave men thus at-

212 RETREAT.
testing their high admiration of his prowess and
daring. So accustomed were both infantry and cav
alry to cheer the peerless cavalier whenever he rode by
them, that Major Goldsborough of the Maryland Line
tells an amusing incident regarding it; — he says:
" The column was moving along the turnpike, when a
swarthy Confederate officer, with long black beard,
approached. 'Come, boys,' said I, 'yonder comes
Ashby; let's give him a Avelcome;' and hearty cheers
for Ashby ran along the line. As the officer passed me,
he drew rein and remarked, ' Major, you have made
a mistake; I am Major John Shack Green, of the
6th Virginia Cavalry, — a cousin of Gen. Ashby.'
We both laughed, and the Major rode on. The next
day I saw Ashby, and laughingly told him of the
mistake. He jocularly remarked, 'Never mind,
Major, the cheers were given a very gallant officer.' "
The reader will readily account for the mistake if he
reraember that Ashby's raother was a Miss Green —
a direct descendant of Colonel Green, honorably dis
tinguished for his services in the Revolution of 1776.
June 2d, Gen. Ashby bivouacked for the night at
" Red Banks," an estate a few miles north- of Mount
Jackson. Here he was ordered to take the position
of Jackson's rear-guard, his command being aug
mented by the transfer of the 6th and 2d Virginia
Cavalry, made at the special request of their re
spective commanding officers. Colonels Flournoy and
Mumford. — June 3d. This morning, Ashby, now
chief of all the cavalry, rode out himself to inspect
all the outposts, and to watch the camps of the enemy

RETREAT. 213
below Mount Jackson. His inherent glow of martial
enthusiasm must have been powerfully stimulated by
his proraotion. It was a bright morning in his young
life, and well- had he earned the preferment bestoAved
upon him. A Captain the spring before, he had
risen, rapidly and brilliantly, to the distinguished
position he then occupied. -The idol of his own men,
he was scarcely second to Jackson himself in the
affections of the whole army. And yet there was no
change in his bearing, — just as modest and unpre
tending as ever; just as personally watchful of the
enemy ; just as careful and considerate of his men and
subordinate officers. Rank might offer him oppor
tunities for being more useful, but it could not make
him a better gentleman. The cavalier qualities shone
out, if possible, more conspicuously in his gentle,
unobtrusive bearing towards all around him. And
if at Kernstown he had shown the spirit and impet
uosity of Murat, it seemed now, as honors were heaped
upon him, that he grew daily more and more like the
gentle Sydney. Dr. Dabney, the biographer of Jack
son, says of him, in connection Avith this promotion,
that it was " an honor well deserved by his arduous
and important services. Whilst unsuited for the
drudgery of the drill and the military police. Gen.
Ashby had every quality of a brilliant commander in
the field. Seconded by diligent and able Colonels in
his regiments, he would have led his brigade to a
career of glory surpassing all his previous successes."
And if Ave of the South admired him as he is remem
bered at this period of his life, daily endearing him-

214 RETREAT.
self to all who came within the scope of his influence,
what says the enemy then advancing against him, upon
whose memory he has written his name in characters
of blood ? Col. Marcy of the 1st Connecticut Cav
alry, U. S. A., then on duty Avith Zagoni, the Italian
adventurer, who was chief of cavalry on Fremont's
staff, says : " I have been in advance with my regi
ment most of the time from Strasburg, and the horse
o:^ Gen. Ashby is a familiar object to us all, as he
daily superintends the movements of Jackson's rear
guard. As Ave see him on the outposts, he affords an
excellent mark for our flying artillery, as he is de
scried upon the hill in advance of us, seemingly never
out of sight or absent from his post of duty. He is
always the last raan to move on after satisfying him
self as to the movements of our forces. Many and
many a time on this advance have I seen the rifled
field-piece brought to bear upon him, and the solid
shot go shrieking after him, striking within a few
feet of him, throwing up clouds of dust over him, or
else go singing over his head, dealing destruction to
his men behind him." Thus wrote his enemy of
him ; and Avhat wonder if both friend and foe began
to think that this child of many dangers seemed to
bear about him sonje talisman Avhich shielded him
from every harm.
After skirmishing heavily with the enemy all the
morning, checking their rapid advances promptly, he
fell back slowly before them, burning the bridge at
Mount Jackson, and Avent into camp seven miles beyond
the river, near New Market, on the evening of the 5th

RETREAT. 215
of June. Fremont, who had been delayed by the
necessity of laying his pontoons, did not cross until
late in the day, and did not press the Confederate
rear-guard. General Ashby fell back slowly and undisturbed
to the vicinity of Harrisonburg, Avhere he went into
camp. It had been comparatively an easy day's
work, yet there was little if any sleep for Ashby that
night. Here it was that a slight insight was afforded
into the master movements Avhich Jackson was about
to inaugurate. Finding that Shields Avas still ad
vancing up the Luray Valley, Avith the intention of
cutting off his retreat upon Staunton, Jackson here
took the road to Port Republic, that he might send
his trains and prisoners to a place of safety over the
only bridge remaining across the south fork of the
Shenandoah, — the bridge at Mount Crawford having
been burned at the time of Banks's threatened ad
vance upon Staunton. In order to accomplish this,
Jackson must not be pressed in rear. Ashby knew
this, and, doubtless, as he paced before the camp-fire
that night, silent and thoughtful, he Avas concocting
in his brain the brilliant movement which he executed
the next day. It is not wonderful that Ashby fully
realized that Bayard's cavalry would press upon him
as soon as Fremont crossed the river. The rear
might be pressed, but the infantry must have time to
make the movement which the fertile genius of Jack
son had mapped out in secret, but which was not
known to all. Jackson must have time to pass his
trains laden Avith plunder receipted for by Banks's

210 RETREAT.
quartermasters and commissaries. The prisoners
must be put out of the reach of rescue ; — this required
time, and time meant not money, but blood. Ashby
kncAv that the quiet of the day's march just ended,
was but the harbinger of the morrow's storm. Ah !
who might perish in that storm ! Do coming events
cast their shadows before ? If so, we may not wonder
that the cavalier was sleepless that night. If the
dark shadow of that morrow's great sorrow had fallen
on the hearts of Southern maids and matrons, with
what increased tenderness and earnestness would the
tide of petitions have ascended to the Throne of
Grace, beseeching the all-merciful Father to watch
over and preserve one who, taking his life in his
hand, had gone forth to battle for them. But the
same Great Being who closes the wounds of the
heart, in mercy keeps out of view the weapon until
the wound is infiicted.

CHAPTER XI,
LAST CAMP— COL. {SIR PERCY?) WYND
HAM— LAST SKIRMISH.
THUS have we followed the great cavalier from
his cradle at Rose Bank to his last bivouac near
Harrisonburg. A meadow a little to the north of
the town, near where an old steam saw-mill stood,
was the last camping-ground of General Ashby.
For on the next day that great storm of battle was
to begin which shook the mountains around Port
Republic and reverberated among the hills at Cross-
Keys. There was something peculiarly appropriate
in that Providence which brought him to his last
camp near the capital of Rockingham County, about
the centre of the great Valley of Virginia, equidis
tant from tragic Harper's Ferry at its entrance, and
quiet Salem at its close. The enemy were pressing
upon the rear of Jackson, and had wellnigh reached
the heart of that Valley, the loss of which, that great
soldier said, would be the loss of Virginia. Ashby
Avas to fall with his hand upon the heart of the
Valley. Let us see how he fell. The morning of
the 6th of June, 1862, was ushered in by a bright
sunshine, — all along the line of retreat heavy rains
had fallen. But now it was eminently in keeping
19 (217)

218 LAST CAMP.
with the yet undeveloped events of the day, that
sunlight should mingle with the light of glory with
which this day was to be illuminated in the Con
federate Calendar. The reader will remember that
Jackson had diverged from the Valley turnpike at
Harrisonburg on the morning of the day before,
taking the road towards Port Republic. General
Ashby was ordered to guard the east fiank of the
army with a body of cavalry against any incursions
that might be made by Shields, then moving up the
east bank of the south fork of the Shenandoah ; and
at the same time to protect the rear of Jackson from
any attack that might be made by the Federal cavalry
under Bayard, then operating with Fremont. In
order to move his cumbrous train, laden Avith Federal
spoils, over the country road to Port Republic, Jack
son required time.
This country road, never very good, had been made
much worse than usual by the frequent rains, so that
the movement was a very slow and laborious one.
It will, therefore, be readily understood why Jack
son's rear encamped within two miles of Harrison
burg on the night of the 5th of June. Ewell's Avas
the rear Division. The rear brigade comprised the
Fifty-eighth and Forty-fourth Virginia, and First
Maryland, under the command of General George
Stuart, who had been transferred from the caA-alry
to the infantry a short time before. Early on Friday
morning, June Gth, Ashby seemed all energy and
life. He appeared to be most fully impressed with
the arduous and important duties of Jackson's trust.

COLONEL WYNDHAM. 219
At one time he was with a squadron operating on the
flank, at another he was giving his personal super
vision to the conduct of the rear-guard. His whole
military life had been very brilliant, and, as General
Lee remarked of him, " his career an eventful one."
The last day of his life, however, was destined to be
the culminating point of services arduous, perilous,
and glorious. What wonder, then, that he was rest
less in the biA'ouac the night before ? His energetic
mind was doubtless busied with thoughts of the next
day. We, Avho in the providence of God have lived
through it, will not wonder at it. From some miles
below Harrisonburg, to, and through that town, the
enemy had moved with great vigor, seeming in some
degree to divine Jackson's object. There was, how
ever, no serious skirmishing below the town, as
Ashby drew back slowly before the advance. Reach
ing Harrisonburg, Fremont began to press Jackson's
rear with greater audacity and energy. Gen. Ashby
had retired some two miles south of the town, and
had dismounted ; nearly all his men were quietly let
ting their horses graze, when, casting his eyes towards
Harrisonburg, he saw a body of Federal cavalry
moving upon him with great spirit. The order
" Mount and form " soon placed him in readiness to
meet (Sir?) Percy Wyndham, Colonel commanding
Fir.st New Jersey Cavalry, as he galloped forward
" to bag Ashby." Determining, as he always did on
such occasions, to meet the charge by a counter
charge, Ashby hurled his squadrons with such force
and dexterity upon the line of the enemy as to sweep

220 COLONEL WYNDHAM.
everything before them. The tide of attack was
almost instantly met, stemmed, and reversed. Upon
counting up the spoils of this brilliant episode,
Ashby found that he had captured the probably
spurious pretender to gentle blood, sixty-three privates,
and their stand of colors.* Riding forward, Ashby
witnessed with pleasure the headlong chase of his men
after the baffled and beaten enemy, who rapidly
retreated to the shelter of Fremont's infantry. The
pursuers were soon recalled. A body of Federal
infantry, comprising the Eighty-second Ohio Regi
ment and the Pennsylvania Bucktails commanded
by Col. Kane, was now rapidly pushed forward to
the scene of the late cavalry fight, while a large
body of cavalry was discovered to be moA'ing up the
Valley turnpike towards Staunton, as if to strike the
right of the Confederate column. Ashby at once
conceived the brilliant project of checking the infan
try advance, and then throwing his full force upon
the cavalry. A courier was immediately dispatched
to Gen. Ewell, informing him of what was occur
ring,' and asking for a force of infantry. Meantime,
Gen. Ashby applied to General George Stuart, com
manding the rear brigade of infantry, for the requisite
support. This officer did not accede to the request
until Gen. Ewell came on the field a little time after
and ordered him to do so. Gen. Ewell, on approach
ing Gen. Ashby, complimented his quick perception,
and, approving the plan submitted to him, at once
* See the official report of Colonel T. Mumford, who irame
diately succeeded Ashby in the command of the cavalry.

COLONEL WYNDHAM. 221
ordered the line of battle to be formed, along which
as Ashby rode, he was greeted by the peculiarly
thrilling cheers of the brave Virginians and Mary
landers forming the brigade.
The writer has been so fortunate as to secure a de
tailed account of this important affair from a gallant
officer. Major Goldsborough, First Maryland Infan
try, who was engaged in it ; and thinking it much
more satisfactory than anything he could write him
self, does not hesitate to give it in the Major's own
words. "At sunrise on the morning of the 6th of
June, my company, with that of Capt. William H.
Murray, was ordered by Gen. (then Col.) Bradley
Johnson to support Gen. Ashby as the army retired
along the Port Republic road. For the first time in
several months I had an opportunity to speak to
Gen. Ashby, whose acquaintance I had made at the
Point of Rocks, in Maryland. He was coolly sitting
upon his horse, watching the advance of the enemy's
videttes, and upon my approach greeted me cordially.
Soon after, Capt. Murray and myself were ordered to
rejoin our command, some two miles in the rear, and
I shook hands with Ashby for the last time on earth.
"We fell back slowly before th,e advance of the
enemy, and halted some three or four miles from
Harrisonburg for the purpose of resting the tired
infantry. The command 'Rest!' had scarcely been
obeyed, when we were startled by the rattle of small
arms and the yell we knew so well came from
Ashby's boys in the headlong charge. A few min
utes sufficed to tell the tale. The first prisoner
19*

222 LAST SKIRMISH.
brought to the rear, a private soldier, in reply to our
interrogations, said, Percy Wyndham had met the
man he had so long sought, and he didn't think he'd
care about seeing him soon again, ' for,' to use his
own language, ' we 've been smashed all to flinders.' "
Prisoners were now brought in in numbers, and
among them the redoubtable Wyndham himself,
whose chagrin at his mishap I shall long remember.
Ashby had been entirely successful in his repulse of
Wyndham's attack. It was, perhaps, two hours
after, that orders came for three regiments of infantry
to retrace the steps they had taken in the morning,
and we felt sure from the command being accom
panied by Gen. Ewell in person, that some serious
work was on hand. The regiments selected were the
Fifty-eighth and Forty-fourth Virginia, and the First
Maryland. After moving through the woods for some distance,
we were met by Gen. Ashby, Avhen the command was
halted, and two companies of the 1st Maryland
thrown forward as skirmishers under the immediate
eye, or, I may say, command of Ashby. The reserves
followed closely, and, in half an hour, three or four
shots announced that the enemy was near. The 58th
was ordered up and soon became hotly engaged. The
fire of the enemy was very deadly, and the 58th re
coiled before it. Ashby was everyAvhere, encouraging
and animating his men, until at last his horse Avas
struck by a bullet and went down. Springing to his
feet, and waving his sword over his head, he rushed
forward, calling to his men to follow. He had not

ASHBY'S DEATH. 223
taken half a dozen steps, when he fell, pierced through
the body by a musket-ball, and died almost instantly.
No dying words issued from his lips, and the last
command he was heard to give was, " Forward, my
brave men ! "
After the fall of Ashby, the troops engaged fell
back in great confusion, when Gen. Ewell, rushing
through a storm of bullets, ordered the Marylanders
to charge. Under the gallant Johnson they rushed to
the attack, and after a short but sanguinary engage
ment drove the enemy from the field. We then dis
covered that we had encountered the celebrated Buck-
tail -Rifles, commanded by Lt.-Col. Kane, who was
wounded and a prisoner in our hands.
To describe the lamentation of the troops when
they heard the good and chivalrous Ashby had fallen,
would be impossible. Bronzed and scarred veterans,
who perhaps for years had not known what it was to
shed a tear, wept like children ; for truly, the decline
of that bright June sun had ushered into eternity one
of the best and noblest among them.
I have often heard that Turner Ashby received his
death-wound from a shot fired by one of his own
men. This is altogether a mistake. He died by the
hand of an enemy. I visited the spot about a year
afterwards, and carefully examined the ground. It is
on the edge of the wood, three or four hundred yards
to the left of a little school-house, on the Port Re
public road going from Harrisonburg, and, as before
stated, about two iniles from the latter town.
Thus fell the noble chieftain, — his last words,

224 ASHBY'S DEATH.
" Forward, my brave men ! " The last sound which
his ear drank in was the yell of triumph proclaiming
a Confederate victory. Thus did he die; and how
appropriately beautiful was it that this great cavalier
should have fallen leading the sons of Maryland and
Virginia, which were both settled by cavalier fami
lies. The same Puritanism which battled against the
Cavaliers in the days of King Charles, was still bat
tling its inherent enemy the cavalier, in the person of
Ashby. England saw better and more glorious days
after Puritanism gave way before a healthful reaction.
America, too, may see a brighter hour, when in the
rev6lution of human affairs the narrow, cruel, and
selfish policy of Puritanism shall give place to the
broader, more expanded and liberal views of the
Cavaliers. Ashby fell not only as he ought to have fallen,
but yielded up his noble life just as he would have
chosen — a cavalier leading cavaliers to victory. He
offered up his life on liberty's altar erected in the heart
of the great Valley of his mother Virginia. His mis
sion on eartii had been nobly performed. With Jackson
as his teacher, he had conned the lessons of victory,
and taught them himself to his thundering squadrons
as he led them on to the charge. Though it Avas not
accorded to this noble patriot to drink in the shouts
of triumph, as the grand refrain swelled along the Con
federate line at Cross-Keys, Port Republic, Cold
Harbor, or the second Manassas, as it was to his great
leader, who rose to the culminating point of his glory
at ChanceUorsviUe, yet it was a merciful God that

ASHBY' S-dl-E-A- TE. 225
spared both the dark hour at Appomattox Court-
House. When Ashby died, the young Confederacy was en
tering upon the glorious days of 1862. The army
was full of hope; the people were full of hope; and
we who have painfully survived those hopes both
civil and military, must recognize the dispensation
of a kind Providence which did not allow Ashby to
outlive hope. Ah ! how would his noble spirit have
fretted and chafed under the mild rule of the "Higher
Law," enthroned upon the fragments of a Constitu
tion once the great, charter of liberty to a happy
people ; and to have seen that people swept by the
fierce winds of fanaticism towards, and upon, the
jagged rocks of anarchy and despotism ! Surely we
must believe that this liberty-loving child of freedom
was taken from the evil to come. But let us not
further pursue this line of thought. God does all
things well and wisely. The end is not yet. Stone
wall Jackson and Turner Ashby are not dead. They
only slumber in their honored graves. Let the peo
ple of Virginia mark the spots Avhere they fell.
They will be kept green by the dew of a nation's
tears, until those tears are exhaled by the morning
sun of some coming June, as its bright rays gild the
roof-trees of a people again blest with liberty and the
right of self-government.
It was nearly sunset when Ashby fell. His body
was taken up tenderly, and placed on the horse be
fore one of his faithful troopers and borne back to
the little village of Port Republic, where it lay all

226 PRIVATE BLACK.
night with a guard of honor. All night long there
was a slow current of sorrowful hearts to this spot,
and the heavy tramp of the men who .had so often
followed him to battle, as they came to take their last
lingering look on the beloved face now calm in the
sleep of death. The sorrow of his military family
was deep. Each felt that he had lost one Avho had
honored him with his friendship, and affection paid
its tribute in scalding tears. His troopers would
come in and take their last look at their idolized
leader, and then hurry away, while through their
sobs might be heard, " Noble Ashby ! Gone! gone!"
Among them, private Black of Company B, perhaps
the boldest and best scout in the army, came in. He
stood for some time indulging his silent grief At
last, with broken voice, he addressed the dead. " We
shall miss you mightily. General, — Ave shall miss
you in the camp ! — we shall miss you as we go out
on the scout ! But Ave shall miss you most. General,
when we go out to — " The sentence was left un
finished. Poor Black broke down and hurried away
from the presence of the dead, sobbing convulsively.
During the night Jackson came with sorrowing heart.
He was at his quarters conversing Avith the prisoner
Col. Wyndham, when he was called out and the painful
report of Gen. Ashby's death made to him. Instantly
calling his kinsman and staff-officer. Col. W. L.
Jackson, he requested him to dismiss the prisoner,
saying, " I cannot see him further to-night." He
went immediately to his private apartment, and his
staff did not see him again that night. Late in the

JACKSON' S TRIBUTE. 227
night the illustrious mourner came; he was admitted
alone. " He remained for some time in silent com
munion with the dead, and then left him with a
solemn and elevated countenance. It requires little
use of imagination to suppose that his thoughts were in
part prophetic of a similar scene, when his own corpse
would receive the homage of all the good and brave."
Next morning, knowing the saddening and de
pressing effect of Ashby's fall upon the troops, Major
Douglass of his staff informs the writer, that Gen.
Jackson rode with his full staff through the encamped
army, that his presence might inspirit the troops, so
much saddened by the fall of his Chief of Cavalry.
Soon after, in his official report of the brilliant en
gagement in which Ashby fell. Gen. Jackson said :
" In this affair Gen. Turner Ashby fell. An offlcial
report is not an appropriate place for more than a
passing notice of the distinguished dead ; but the close
relation which Gen. Ashby bore to my command for
most of the previous twelve months, will justify me in
saying, that, as a partisan officer, I never knew his
superior. His daring Avas proverbial, his powers of
endurance almost incredible, his tone of character
heroic, and his sagacity almost intuitive in divining
the purposes and movements of the enemy." Thus
spoke Jackson of his companion in arms, and these
words ought to be, and, if life last, shall be lettered
forth on the marble column which is to mark the
spot where Ashby sleeps. A nobler, more emphatic
panegyric could not have been pronounced; for,
when Jackson Avrote the words "partisan soldier,"

228 VIRGINIA'S GRIEF.
he meant not to use it in any narrow or invidious
sense, but rather as the name was borne and iUus
trated by the deeds of Marion, Light-Horse Harry
Lee, and Daniel Morgan.
Deep as was the great sorrow which settled upon
Jackson and his brave men, it was not confined to
them ; the noble spirits under Johnston were clouded
by a grief whose shadoAV fell upon and darkened the
hearts and homes of a nation. Mothers who had
never seen him, wept as if their own sons had fallen;
and gray-haired sires in their anguish cried, " Would
I had died for thee, my son, my son ! " Delicacy
forbids us to approach the sacred sorrow of his own
family. Enviable among the women of the South
must she ever be regarded who gave to the service of
her country two such sons as Turner and Richard
Ashby. She gave all she had, for when the General
was killed, she had no son left. Surely it may be
said of her, " She hath done what she could." And
now let us hope that, reunited, her sons and herself
have entered upon their reward, " where the wicked
cease from troubling and the Aveary are at rest."
Most unmistakable evidences of a people's grief
were everywhere afforded. But if the whole South
bewailed his fall, it is to Virginia, pausing amidst
the roll of glory she was then writing of the achieve
ments of Ashby and kindred spirits, to Aveep over
her own devoted son, that we should turn. One of
her gifted daughters has given such touching and
admirable expression to the grief then felt over
the whole land, that the picture would seem incom
plete without it.

VIRGINIA'S GRIEF. 229
DIRGE FOR ASHBY.
[Mrs. M. j. Preston.]
Heard ye that thrilling word —
Accent of dread !
Fall like a thunderbolt.
Bowing each head ?
Over the battle dun —
Over each booming gun —
Ashby, our bravest one !
Ashby is dead!
Saw ye the veterans —
Hearts that had known
Never a quail of fear.
Never a groan —
Sob 'mid the fight they win.
Tears their stern eyes within ?
Ashby, our paladin !
Ashby is dead !
Dash, dash the tear away !
Crush down the pain,
Dulce ei decus be
Fittest refrain.
Why should the dreary pall
Round him be flung at all?
Did not our hero fall,
Gallantly slain ?
Catch the last words of cheer
Dropped from his tongue I
Over the volley's din
Let them be rung !
" Follow me ! follow me ! "
Soldier ! oh ! could there be
Psean, or dirge for thee
Loftier sung ?
20

230 VIRGINIA'S GRIEF.
Bold as the Lion-Heart —
Dauntless and brave ;
Knightly as knightliest
Bayard oould crave ;
Sweet — with all Sidney's grace —
Tender as Hampden's face —
Who, who shall fill the space,
Void by his grave ?
'T is not one broken heart
Wild with dismay —
Crazed in her agony —
Weeps o'er his clay !
Ah ! from a thousand eyes
Flow the pure tears that rise —
Widowed Virginia lies
Stricken to-day !
Tet charge as gallantly,
Ye whom he led !
Jackson, the victor, still
Stands at your head !
Heroes ! be battle done,
Bravelier every one,
Nerved by the thought alone —
Ashby is dead !
To which is added the following tribute to the
Southern Brave, by John R. Thompson, a Virginian.
ASHBY.
To the brave all homage render!
Weep, ye skies of June !
With a radiance pure and tender,
Shine, oh, saddened moon I
" Dead upon ihe field of glory I " —
Hero fit for song and story —
Lies our bold dragoon I

VIRGINIA'S GRIEF. 231
Well learned they whose hands have slain him :
Braver, knightlier foe
Never fought 'gainst Moor or Paynim —
Rode at Templestowe.
With a mien how high and joyous,
'Gainst the hordes that would destroy us
Went he forth, we know.
Never more, alas ! shall sabre
Gleam around his crest —
Fought his fight, fulfllled his labor.
Stilled his manly breast —
All unheard sweet nature's cadence.
Trump of fame and voice of maidens.
Now he takes his rest.
Earth, that all too soon hast bound him,
Gently wrap his clay !
Linger lovingly around him,
Light of dying day !
Softly fall, ye summer showers —
Birds and bees among the flowers.
Make the gloom seem gay !
Then throughout the coming ages,
When his sword is rust.
And his deeds in classic pages —
Mindful of her trust.
Shall Virginia, bending lowly.
Still a ceaseless vigil holy
Keep above his dust I
The South, through her poets, found expression
for her grief, and the tone of the press was in solemn
yet perfect accord. All regarded his death as a great
blow to the cause for which we then battled. But
while we are summing up the tears which a whole
people shed over the grave of Ashby, what effect had

232 THE ENEMY'S TRIBUTE
his fall upon the enemy then pursuing Jackson ? A
Federal officer then on duty with Fremont, speaking
of the engagement in which Ashby nobly lost his
life, says : " Our men advanced cautiously to the spot
where the cavalry under Wyndham had been re
pulsed, and there met a body of infantry, and quite a
heavy engagement ensued. I get this information
from one of the Bucktails. The enemy were led by
an officer Avho made himself very conspicuous, by the
daring exposure of his person, and by the wonderful
influence he exerted over his men. He afforded at
the same time an excellent mark, and a number of
muskets were evidently aimed and fired at him. He
soon fell, mortally wounded. This man, the next
day, we found to be General Ashby, the brilliant
leader of the enemy's cavalry, a man worth to them
regiments, ' a blast upon whose bugle-horn was worth
a thousand men.' When Ave found the brave Ashby
was slain, there Avas no rejoicing in our camps, though
by it we had gained a great advantage, and I have
not yet heard an unkind or injurious word by either
officers or soldiers of our forces, but on the contrary
they seem to abide faithfully by the motto, 'Nihil
de mortuis dicere nisi bonum.' "
Thus we see the moral effect of true courage even
upon foes. Ashby's enemies praised him when dead,
because while living he had taught them to respect,
if not to fear him.
In further proof of the esteem in which he Avas
held by the enemy, the following extract is given,
taken from an article which appeared in the August

MAGNANIMITY OF COL. KANE 233
number of "The Old Guard," for 1866, and was
written by a member of Stonewall Jackson's staff.
" In this last heavy skirmish of Gen. Ashby, Lt.-
Col. Kane of the Pennsylvania Bucktail Rifles, and
some of his men, were captured. Col. Kane, imme
diately after he was taken, in a conversation with
Captain (afterwards Colonel) Herbert, who com
manded the Maryland skirmishers on that occasion,
said : ' I have to-day saved the life of one of the
most gallant officers in either army. Gen. Ashby ; for
I admire him as much as you can possibly do. His
figure is familiar to me, inasmuch as I have seen it
often on the skirmish line. He was to-day within
fifty yards of my skirmishers, sitting on his horse as
if unconscious of his danger. I saw three of them
raise their rifles to fire, but I succeeded in stopping
two of them, and struck up the gun of the third as it
went off. Ashby is too brave to die in that way.'
"This is the natural admiration of one brave man
for another, although that other may be the enemy
whom he has most reason to fear. These noble words
of Col. Kane were no less creditable to his courage
than to his magnanimity. If he too be fallen, I
would pay this slight tribute to his memory. Un
known to Col. Kane, Ashby was just dead, and his
first eulogy was pronounced by this generous foe."
This foreign testimony, commemorating the cour
age of Ashby, is adduced simply to show that the
presence of such a hero in the Confederate ranks was
a twofold blessing, — whilst it presented the ardent
youth of the South an exemplar well worthy of their
20*

234 THE OLD GUARD.
imitation, its influence upon the Northern mind and
heart must have been both to paralyse the sword, and
in some measure to dry up the well-springs of bit
terness and hate, which, since his death, have well
nigh inundated the South. But we Avill do well if
we remember, " Far dearer 's the grave or the prison.
Illumined by one Patriot's name,
Than the trophies of all who have risen
On Liberty's ruin to fame."

CHAPTER XII.
ASHBY'S BURIAL — REINTERMENT IN
THE STONEWALL CEMETERY— RE
CAPITULATION— CONCLUSION.
THERE was something peculiarly appropriate in
the selection of the cemetery of the State Uni
versity at Charlottesville as the place i for Ashby's
grave. Up to that time the waves of Federal inva
sion breaking over the Blue Ridge, had not reached
the base of Monticello Mountains, and it was thought
due to the youth of the South that the grave of Ashby
should be of easy access to those Avho might, in after-
years, resort to the University to fit themselves for
future honor and usefulness. It was thought that
at his grave the youth of the South, recalling his
eventful life, Avould be stimulated to eraulate his no
ble deeds as they caught the notes of Fame's proud
trumpet, proclaiming him glorious, while sober His
tory told them "he did his duty, without fear and
without reproach." Hence Charlottesville was selected
for the resting-place of all that was mortal of the
illustrious dead.
On Saturday, the 7th of June, the body, with its
guard of honor, — his OAvn old Company A, with
which, as Captain, he had set out from Wolf's Crag
only a little more than a year before, — the funeral
(235)

236 ASHBY'S BURIAL.
train moved by way of Waynesboro' to the Vi
ginia Central Railroad, upon which it was borne
its destination. On the way it passed the Feder
prisoners captured at Winchester, who received
with uncovered heads. Although the notice was
short one, a dense crowd had gathered in the Assen
bly Rooms of the University to do honor to the illu
trious dead. And when the writer, assisted by tl
Rev. Mr. Norton, proceeded with the last, sad, beat
tiful offices of the Church,- — ^as he told of the claric
voice now hushed, and the flashing eye now closed i
death, sobs burst from many breasts, and tears flowe
over the bronzed cheeks of bearded men. In th
hour of great affliction no human comforter could 1
found. No one could fill Ashby's place in the
hearts. Sadly and tenderly his beloved form wi
borne by his devoted followers and committed to oi
mother earth in the cemetery attached to the Un
versity. Ah ! what a child of victory did we con
mit to the grave that beautiful Sunday evenini
Killed on the won field, the deep notes of the Coi
federate artillery proclaimed that he should be buri«
in victory. Yes! let the survivors of the Ashl
Brigade cherish the consoling hope, that their nob
leader passed from the vestibule of earth to the gre:
temple of eternity, in which he and Jackson haA
exchanged the chaplets with Avhich a grateful peop
had crowned them, for the unfading wreaths c
" those who are redeemed from among men."
Four long years of blood, privation, glory ar
sorrow passed away, with the alternations of victoi

THE CONFEDERATE STRUGGLE. 237
and defeat, as the then unconquered banner was borne
triumphantly over the battle-fields of Cross-Keys,
Port Republic, seven days around Richmond, second
Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, first and sec
ond Fredericksburg, and ChanceUorsviUe, where "off
the edge of war " the Giant fell ; followed by those
darker days at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, — the Con
federate sky again brightening at the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania Court-House, second Cold Harbor,
and the sieges of Charleston* and Petersburg, and
again clouded at Atlanta, Winchester, Nashville,
Richmond, — and finally, the dark, dismal day at Ap
pomattox Court-House saw the last ray that ever fell
upon the glorious but now folded banner. Who
can describe the alternations of hope and fear, — the
sorrows patiently borne, — the privations at home, in
the trenches and on the battle-field? No pen save
that of the recording angel has ever written down
the sobs of the widow, the hungry cry of the orphan,
the sigh of the captive, and groan of the dying. The
eye of our Heavenly Father alone has noted the pas
sage of every spirit from the field and the hospital,
from warring Earth to peaceful Heaven. Ah ! would
that a faithful chronicler could write down all that
a noble people suffered in that desperate struggle for
liberty against the " world in arms." It may be true
that " Southern nationality is a dream of the past."
A gulf, beyond which we could not pass, yawned be
tween us and the realization of our hopes; and
though bright flowers bloomed upon its brink and
wafted us sweet -perfume, we could not cross to gather
them.

238 THE IMPERISHABLE PRINCIPLE.
"The Southern cross no longer gleams out 'mid
the Avild light of battle ; the SAVord of the vanquished
is sheathed, and the land is gloomy with the harm
less sepulchres of our martyred dead. But when
years and years shall have passed away — when the
last of the present generation sleep with their fathers,
and new forms throng the old famiUar places — when
faction shall have hushed, and justice hold the scales,
then, as bright as day, and as free from blemish and
stain, will stand forth in bright relief upon the scroll
of historic fame, the record of the South, dearer to
the hearts of her children now in the hour of sorrow,
than Avhen, on the march to victory, she won the ad
miration of the world. Pilgrims from other lands
shall tread with reverent step above the spot where
moulders the dust of our loved and lost ; while those
Avho are to follow us will cherish as household gods
the names of those Avho, carving a way through the
flery path of war, have written their names where
they can never die. The principle for which so
many laid down their liA'es raay not be recognized
until their names have groAvn feeble on the tongue of
friendship, and been dropped, like dead silence, from
the ear of the world. But it will struggle back from
the hollow bosom that once bled for it, and ascend
the heights of government. And, Avhen the faithful
historian shall descend into the vaults of the dead
past, in quest of traditions of liberty, he will then
discover to whom the world is indebted for their
perpetuation." Soon after the battles around Richmond in 1862,

REINTERMENT. 239
a friend of Gen. Ashby, speaking to Gen. Jackson in
relation tb the brothers Ashby, expressed the opinion
that both of their bodies ought to lie in the same
grave, and that the grave should be in the Valley of
Virginia. General Jackson fully concurred, and
remarked that, if he survived the war, it should be
attended to. The world knows that this warm friend
and admirer of Ashby passed away before the fierce
struggle was ended, and the work fell to other hands.
In May, the same friend of Ashby who had spoken
to Jackson on the subject, brought the matter to the
attention of the ladies of Winchester, Avho immexii-
ately wrote to the sisters of the lamented dead, asking
permission to remove the remains of the two brothers
to the Valley. Richard Ashby's body was then
lying in the Indian Mound Cemetery at Romney,
Virginia. The family granted the request, and the
President of the Faculty at the University, and the
citizens of Romney, were informed of the arrangement.
When notified that the bodies were to be removed,
they most naturally expressed a decided preference
for being allowed to continue the watchful custodians
of the honored graves. The matter was pressed,
however, and they yielded. When the month of
October came, the committee which had been ap
pointed at a meeting of the survivors of the Ashby
Brigade, proceeded to discharge the duty devolving
upon them : and the two brothers Avho had been so
united in life, and were separated by death for only
a few months, were once more brought together. To
those who have read the preceding pages, perhaps no

240 REINTERMENT.
reasons need be offered for changing their place of
burial. So dear was the name of Ashby" to every
Southern heart, that their honored graves would have
been kept green anywhere between the Potomac and
the Rio Grande. But dear to all. Turner Ashby was
most beloved by the people of the Shenandoah Val
ley. To them he was not the hero of a read story,
he was the living leader whom their own eyes had
followed as he rushed to the front of battle. His
well-known voice had roused their own hearts as he
led his squadrons to victory. It was in the imme
diate defence of their own firesides that he had died,
and there was a peculiar fitness in their begging his
body, that they might hand down its guardianship a
holy legacy of gratitude to their children's children.
And if buried in the Valley, what place more appro
priate than Winchester, the fidelity of whose popula
tion to the Southern cause was not even equalled by
the unnumbered wrongs, taunts, and sufferings which
they had to endure from a Milroy or a Sheridan.
The StonewaU Cemetery (itself a battle-field) at
Winchester, was chosen as the spot where Ashby was
to sleep, in full view of the Gap in his native moun
tains cherishing his ancestral fame.*
* There is a singular anecdote related of John Ashby, the
General's grandfather, which the old records of Frederick
County Court were said in part to verify. When Washington
sent the lamentable tidings of Braddock's defeat to the out
post of Winchester — Fort Loudoun — he desired the British
commandant there to forward his despatch to Governor
Dinwiddle, at Williamsburg, then the State Capital. John
Ashby, of Fauquier, the great equestrian of that day, hap-

CONFEDERATE CEMETERIES. 241
In the spring of 1866, God put it into the hearts
of two noble women living in Winchester, to set in
motion the enterprise of gathering up the bones of
the Confederate dead, then either bleaching on the
surface or lying in shallow graves on the many battle
fields of the loAver Valley, and giving them graves
worthy of those Avho had yielded up life in so holy a
cause. Nobly seconded by a grateful people, this
beginning of Confederate cemeteries was made.
Surmounting every obstacle, though in most cases
stripped of all save the barest necessaries of life, the
women of the lower Valley worked, and begged, and
prayed, and worked, until they had performed the
first great duty after defeat — that of preparing a fit
ting resting-place for their dead. Theirs was not
the choice to shrink from any of the sad, sorrowful
duties of the hour. True to the noblest type of
pened to be at the Fort, and was desired by the commandant
to make the trip to Williamsburg on horseback, which he did
in a surprisingly short time, returning with the Governor's
answer to the Fort. Upon his reappearance the commandant,
a choleric, testy British Major, indignantly rebuked him for
his long and unnecessary delay in obeying his orders. He
was only undeceived when John Ashby drew out a packet
bearing the Governor's seal, and delivered it to the astonished
officer. At the next session of the County Court an order was
made, allowing John Ashby extraordinary compensation for
one of the most remarkable feats of couriership on record.
This John Ashby gave his name to Ashby's Gap in the
Blue Ridge. He had a brother, Turner, a surveyor, who
emigrated to Kentucky at an early day, and was the ancestor
of Captain Ashby, a conspicuous cavalry officer in Tennessee
on the side of the Confederacy during the late war.
21

242 STONEWALL CEMETERY.
womanly character, they persevered in their holy
labor until their " Stonewall Cemetery " had so far
progressed towards completion as to be ready for
dedication on the 25th of October, 1866. Can trib
ute too high be paid to the women of Winchester
and of the loAver Valley? No! Throughout the
length and breadth of the Southern land, nowhere
can there be found nobler women than those whom
"Stonewall Jackson" delighted to honor in this war
worn territory thick with battle-fields. Whether
you view them in the hospitals, ministering to the
suffering and dying, with a tenderness compensating
in some degree for the absence of the loved ones at
home; or upon the shell-ploughed, blood-stained
battle-field, strewn with the fearful wrecks of hu
manity, — where, amid the groans of the dying, they
were known to pass the long watches of the night in
tender ministrations to the suffering, regardless of
the taunts and gibes of an insulting foe, wholly
intent upon the performance of what they esteemed
their high duty and privilege; the Confederate
survivors of that shock of arms, in which some men
proved recreant, may well challenge the world, at
any period of its history, to furnish a parallel to their
tenderness and heroism. And in the beautiful ceme
tery lying to the east of their central toAvn they are
uow raising a monument to their memories more likely
to endure than either bronze or marble, in the gath
ered bones of those who nobly fell in guarding this
" Northern Gate of the Confederacy," through which
the tide of battle ebbed and flowed for four long

REINTERMENT. 243
years. When dead and gone to their reward, they
will need no loftier monument to record their virtues
than their own " Stonewall Cemetery."
Early in October the body of General Ashby was
disinterred by the Faculty and Students of the Uni
versity of Virginia, and was brought to Charlestown,
Avhere it was placed in a vault, Avhile the noble women
of Jefferson prepared a suitable coffin, their tribute to
the remains of the beloved guardian of their border
homes. The remains, in a hearse drawn by four
white horses, and escorted by a mounted guard of
honor, composed of some sixty men of the Ashby
Brigade, under the command of Col. R. W. Baylor,
Avere borne by way of Berryville to Winchester.
The funeral train rested for a few hours at Berryville,
where the body was placed in the Episcopal church.
The coffin was bedewed with tears and covered with
floAvers, brought by the sorrowing daughters of
Clarke, to be added to those still fresh with the tears
of Jefferson's matrons and maidens. A deep sadness
marked the hour when the remains of four noble
heroes were brought to Winchester by four different
roads. General Ashby's from Berryville, Lieut.-Col.
MarshaU's from Charlestown, Capt. Richard Ashby's
from Romney, and Capt. George Sheetz's from Front
Royal. The four bodies were carried to the Episco
pal church. Never did coffins enclose nobler heroes
than the four pulseless patriots resting there. There
lay the fearless Sheetz, the Murat of the Brigade.
There, Richard Ashby, that splendid type of Southern
manhood, the Bayard of the army. There, MarshaU,

244 REINTERMENT.
the Christian soldier, the Hedley Vicars of the strug
gle. And there — -the great cavalier — General Turner
Ashby, the blended impersonation of Sidney, Hamp
den, and Murat. — Those four! what struggle, what
people, what age has produced their equals ?
" During Wednesday night the church was visited
by almost the entire population, and by a very large
number of strangers. Here the scene was in the
highest degree solemn, and will doubtless be indelibly
impressed on the minds of the participants. More
worth, more gallantry, more heroism was never
coffined; — tears more heartfelt and sympathetic were
never shed than those which bedewed the flowers
with which the coffins had been profusely decorated,
almost every visitor depositing a sprig, a rose, a
bouquet, or some more elaborate floral offering.
" The coffins attracted much attention, particularly
the one containing the remains of General Ashby.
This was elegant both in design and finish, refiecting
great credit on the manufacturer, Mr. George W.
Sadler, of Charlestown, and upon the patriotic women
of Jefferson, through whose untiring energy the means
for its construction were obtained. It was made of
black walnut of superior finish, which was covered
with black cloth of the finest fabric. This was
elaborately adorned with silver mountings, the Avhole
being nearly enveloped in silver fringe and platings.
Upon the head and foot of the coffin were three silver
stars denoting the rank of Gen. Ashby in the Confeder
ate army. Upon the lid of the coffin, just over the face,
were thirteen silver stars, while over the breast was a

REINTERMENT. 245
heavy silver plate, encircled with a beautiful wreath
of fragrant flowers, bearing the inscription —
GENERAL TURNER ASHBY,
BORN OCTOBER 23, 1828,
KILLED IN A HEAVY SKIRMISH NEAR HARRISONBURG,
JUNE 6, 1862.
The coffin containing Colonel Marshall's remains
was less elaborate in finish, but equally beautiful in
design. It bore the inscription —
LT.-COL. THOMAS MARSHALL, 0. S. A.,
KILLED NOVEMBER 12, 1864.
Captain Richard Ashby's body was contained in
a neat coffin, covered with black cloth, — contributed
by the ladies of Hampshire county.
The remains of the brave Captain Sheetz, who fell
gallantly leading his command at Buckton Station,
were brought here to add to the interest of the occasion,
but were not deposited in the Stonewall Cemetery, it
being the wish of the people of Hampshire that he
should sleep in the soil of the county Avhich gave him
birth, and upon which he reflected so much credit by
his .gallant life and heroic death.
Thursday morning dawned clear, calm, and beau
tiful. The dampness and the clouds which had in
tervened and threatened for several days, had gone
with the night, and nature was wearing its brightest
looks. An early visit to the Cemetery revealed to us
the fact that, while man had shown energy and in
dustry in preparing and mounding the graves of the
dead, the hand and heart of AVoman had been enlisted
in the decoration of the sacred ground. The monu-
21*

246 REINTERMENT.
ments marking the location of the lots appropriated
to each State for the burial of the dead Avere-wreathed
and twined with evergreens, myrtle and cedar, while
the numberless bouquets, resting on the hills, marking
the repository of the heroic dead, told plainly that the
sympathizing daughters of Virginia had been thus
early at the tomb. A cloudless sky gave uninter
rupted range to the beams of the lovely morning sun;
and as they rested on the flowers yet moist with the
early dew, it seemed as though nature had re-invig
orated these raementos, and given to them peculiar
freshness and fragrance to beautify the monuments
pointing so expressively to heaven, which the day
before in their nakedness were giving more lifeless
expressions of sorrow for the inanimate dust reposing
underneath. The monument to the "UnknoAvn
Dead" had received especial attention, and it, with
the mound covering the unknown, was freighted with
fresh flowers, a beautiful evergreen cross being con
spicuous. This monument occupies the centre of the
cemetery grounds, and is raised to a considerable
height above the surrounding space by the bones of
the unknown sleepers. It contains the following
inscription: "Eight hundred and fifteen TJnknovm
and Unrecorded Bead lie beneath this mound."
Daylight had scarcely daAvned when the tide of
humanity began to pour into the toAvn from Frederick
and the surrounding counties. Every vale and every
hill within a radius of many miles seemed to have
sent its sympathizing representatives, the solemn oc
casion eliciting from each the "tribute of a sigh."

REINTERMENT. 247
The Upper Valley counties sent numerous and large
delegations to swell the crowd. The stages on the
various lines came in loaded down, while vehicles of
every conceivable description Avere brought into re
quisition. The morning train on the Winchester
and Potomac Railroad consisted of eleven passenger
coaches, all jammed with those eager to participate
in the sad ceremonies. West Virginia was well rep
resented by the fair women and brave men of Jeffer
son and Berkeley counties, who, unheeding the un
natural separation which has, temporarily we trust,
deprived them of their birthrights as Virginians,
gathered around the tombs of the Confederate dead
and decked their graves with the flowers of affection
and remembrance. Maryland sent a large contribu
tion in jewels and heroes — for her lovely daughters
and gallant sons formed no inconsiderable portion of
the vast assemblage. Many of our sister Southern
States had representatives present, some of whom had
come hundreds of miles to join Avith the people of the
Valley in tendering these funeral honors to the dead.
The procession was to have moved at ten o'clock,
but owing to the great croAvd present, rendering the
movement an unwieldy one, it Avas half-past ten when
the cortege moved, in the following order :
Marshal — Gen. T. T. Fauntleroy.
Aids — Col. D. T. Richards, Col. E. V. White, Maj. H. Kyd
Douglas, Maj. R. W. Hunter, Maj. Holmes Conrad,
Dr. Archie Randolph, and Sergeants Jos.
' Nulton and Miller Wolflfe.
Strasburg Brass Band.

248 REINTERMENT.
Masonic Fraternity, representing 15 Lodges, and numbering
300 members, under the marshalship of Col. L. T. Moore.
Hearse containing the remains of Gen. Turner Ashby, with
the following pall-bearers :
Col. R. W. Baylor, Col. J. S. Mosby.
Col. Preston Chew, Col. T. B. Massie,
Capt. D. Humphreys, Lt.-Col. Dan. Hatcher,
Maj. Ed. McDonald, Capt. Philpot,
Capt. Benj. Crampton, Capt. Wm. Turner.
Hearse containing remains of Colonel Thomas Marshall and
Captain Richard Ashby, with the following pall-bearers :
Col. W. H. Harness, Capt. Kuykendall,
Capt. John Pendleton, Capt. Horace Buck,
Capt. B. V. Randolph, Lieut. E. B. Mantor,
Lieut. 0. R. Funsten, Lieut. John Rust,
Captain Marshall Archer.
Mourning friends of the deceased in carriages.
The surviving officers of the Laurel Ashby Brigade on
horseback.
Surviving members of the Laurel Ashby Brigade on foot.
Surviving members of the Laurel Ashby Brigade on horseback.
Madison Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.
Citizens on foot.
Citisiens on horseback and in carriages.
In this order of procession the column passed from
Water Street to Braddock, to Piccadilla, to Market,
to Water, and thence to the Cemetery, Avhere an im
mense concourse had been for several hours assembled
to Avitness the proceedings. The scene here was
grand and imposing. The croAvd on the ground has
been variously estimated. Our oavu impression is
that there must have been ten thousand people gath
ered together. All hearts seemed affected by the

REINTERMENT. 249
solemnity of the occasion, and remarkably good
order was maintained. After some delay in clearing
a space in the crowd through which the cortege might
pass, the procession reached the grave.
The Masonic ceremonies over the body of General
Ashby Avere very interesting and impressive, and
immense throngs of people were stilled to silence by
the solemnity of the scene. The District Deputy
Grand Master, Joseph S. Carson, delivered the
Masonic Exhortation, and the Worshipful Master,
Wm. R. Denny, of Hiram Lodge, No. 21, deposited
in the grave the lamb-skin or white apron, Avhich he
remarked was an emblem of innocence and the badge
of a Mason ; also, the evergreen or sprig of acacia as
an emblem of the immortality of the soul, were de
posited in the grave by all the brethren present of
the fraternity, after Avhich the Worshipful Master
consigned the body of their brother, Turner Ashby,
to the grave — "earth to earth — ashes to ashes — ¦
dust to dust." The Masonic services were then con
cluded with prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. J. B.
Avirett, who, it may be remarked, Avas the chaplain
of the " Ashby Brigade."
The Masonic services concluded, the foUowing
dirge was sung by the united choirs of the toAvn,
under the leadership of Dr. Bowly.
DIRGE TO ASHBY.
AIR: — ROBIN ADAIR.
Hearb ye that thrilling word —
Accent of dread !

250 REINTERMENT.
Flash like a thunderbolt,
Bowing each head ?
Crash through the battle dun —
Over each booming gun —
"Ashby, our bravest one, —
Ashby is dead ! "
Saw ye the veterans —
Hearts that had known
Never a quail of fear.
Never a groan —
Sob 'mid the fight they win
Tears their stern eyes within ?
"Ashby, our Paladin, —
Ashby is gone ! "
Dash, dash the tear away !
Crush down the pain !
Dulce et decus be
Fittest refrain.
Why should the dreary pall
Round him be flung at all ?
Did not our hero fall,
Gallantly slain ?
'T is not one broken heart
Wild with dismay —
Crazed with her agony —
Weeps o'er his clay !
Ah 1 from a thousand eyes
Flow the pure tears that rise —
Widowed Virginia lies
Stricken to-day 1
Hear ye that thrilling word,
Accent of dread.
Fall like a thunderbolt.
Bowing each head ?

REINTERMENT. 251
Heroes ! the war is done.
And ye are left alone.
Breathing the plaintive moan —
"Ashby is dead ! "
At this stage of the proceedings there was deposited
in the grave of General Ashby a beautiful collection
of flowers, sent by the ladies of Shepherdstown ; and
an elegant floral cross, the gift of the ladies present
from North Carolina.
The coffins of Colonel Marshall and Capt. Ashby
were then lowered to the tomb — the latter occupying
the same grave Avith his brother — Avhen the Marshal
announced that the regular dedicatory exercises of
the StoncAvall Cemetery would uoav take place at the
central mound, marked by the column indicating the
place of repose of the unknown dead. To this part
the immense croAvd made its way.
The assemblage was called to order by the Rev.
Mr. Meredith, at whose request Rev. Mr. Hough led
in prayer. The following dirge was then sung: —

DIRGE.
Hark to the solemn bell.
Mournfully pealing!
What do its wailings tell.
On the ear stealing ?
Seem they not thus to say.
Loved ones have passed away ?
Ashes to ashes lay —
List to its pealing !

252 REINTERMENT.
When in their lonely bed
Loved ones are lying.
When joyful wings are spread
To heaven flying —
Would we to sin and pain '
Call back their souls again,
Weave round their hearts the chain
Severed in dying ?
Next came the reading of the 15th chapter of 1st
Corinthians, succeeded by the singing ofthe hymn —
"I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAY."
I would not live alway : I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way ;
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here.
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer.
I would not live alway, thus fetter'd by sin.
Temptation witliout and corruption within :
E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears,
And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears.
I would not live alway ; no, welcome the tomb,
Since Jesus has lain there I dread not its gloom ;
There, sweet be my rest, till He bid me arise,
To hail him in triumph descending the skies.
Who, who would live alway, away from his God ;
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains.
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns ?
Where the. saints of all ages in harmony meet.
Their Saviour and brethren, transported to greet;
While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll.
And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.

REINTERMENT. 253
The dedicatory exercises were then concluded Avith
the benediction pronounced by Rev. Norval Wilson."
A distinguished member of the Ashby (Laurel)
Brigade, Avho was prcA'cnted from mingling his tears
with those of the battle-scarred veterans who Avere
present, in full sympathy with the occasion contrib
uted the following lines.
REINTERMENT OF ASHBY.
[bt col. M. D. ball, eleventh VIRGINIA CAVALRY.]
Make room for the solemn pageant,
Give way to the mournful bier !
And let us lay our hero down
In our chosen sepulchre 1
For we come in robes of sorrow,
Bowed with the weight of pain.
To commit to the cold, autumnal mould.
The bones of Ashby slain !
Not in triumphant array we come,
With martial pomp complete ;
No cannon peals the requiem grand.
For the loarrior's burial meet ;
The arms with his glory lustrous.
With the rusts of defeat are dim.
No sabre salutes, no carbine trails
In the hands that struck with him I
We may not mourn our peerless one
With the victor's soothing pride ;
We feel too sadly the poignant truth.
In vain — in vain — he died !
And his brothers in deeds of warfare
Resign to a gentler hand.
The solace dear of honoring here
The foremost of all their band.
22

254 REINTERMENT.
But oh ! there is yet a triumph
Defeat has ne'er o'erthrown.
And a pride that chivalry loves to boast,
And that none may dare disown!
The wreath of renown — he hath it.
He hath won the victor's crown,
Tho' the cause is dead for which he bled.
And its flag to the dust dragged down !
He sleeps in the sod he has shaken off
With the might of a giant's blow,
As o'er it he led his squadrons fierce
On the heels of the flying foe !
It is rich with the blood of heroes
Who for it their lives did yield,
As true and brave as e'er found grave
On the battle's gory field !
The lordly summits around him
Will cherish his mighty name.
And the glorious rivers that bind their base
Are linked Avith his deathless fame ;
From the orest of the grand AUeghanies
To where the Shenandoah flows.
Not a hill nor stream, but, in the gleam
Of the glory he lent them, glows !
He needs no marble to tell his deeds:
On every scene around.
In the hearts of a noble people,
His epitaph is found :
'Twill endure while in their serried ranks
Virginia's mountains stand.
Or while on earth one patriot dares
To die for his native land !
Here, then, on the grave of the Flower of knights
Our fairest flowers shall bloom,

RECAPITULATION. 255
Assured that ne'er had fallen knight
A more befltting tomb.
Let him rest in the Valley he battled for.
In the land he loA'cd so well,
On the breast of the earth that gave him birth,
AVhose hope died when he fell !
Thus did Ave bury our noble dead.
The work of this Memoir is nearly finished. A
brief generalization of his character, and then a duty
imposed upon the writer by the kindness of the Bri
gade and the request of the Ashby family, will have
been willingly if imperfectly performed.
It has been said that " General Ashby Avas an officer
of more character than ability." This Memoir has
been vainly written if this opinion has not been cor
rected. The writer freely admits, that, up to his
death, such had been the unceasing movements of
his squadrons, that time and opportunity Avere not
afforded him for drill and the introduction of such
Avholesome discipline as Avere necessary to dcA'elop the
full strength of his command. In a letter to Hon.
A. R. Boteler, Gen. Ashby himself states that after
the retreat from Kernstown he fought the enemy in
thirty-two distinct engagements in twenty-eight days !
The truth is that the skirmish line was his only drill
ground, and his revicAvs Avere part and parcel of the
terrible battles Avith the history of Avhich many
readers are doubtless familiar. His common rcA'cill^
Avas not the note of the bugle at head-quarters, but
the rattle of small arms along his cordon of outposts.
He may have trusted too much to the enthusiasm of

256 RECAPITULATION.
the volunteer citizen-soldier, ever to have moulded
his men into mere machines ; but if so, he was for
tunate in dealing Avith volunteers during the tAvo
first years of the struggle only, before grim-visaged
Avar had abated the popular ardor. Col. CheA\' says
of him that he could bring more men into the field,
in proportion to the number under his command,
than any officer with whom he ever served, thus
showing that his confidence in his men was not mis
placed. Ashby had not to deal with conscripts. His
command was made up of those who, sharing his
enthusiasm, foUoAved him from love of the cause of
which they regarded him the faithful representative.
His command seldom found itself united ; at the rare
intervals in which it was in one body, it was employed
either as the advance or the rear-guard of the restless
Jackson. Says Lieut. Wood of his command: "I
do not recollect that during my service under Gen.
Ashby we ever had any time to drill except during
the five days at Conrad's Store. It Avas one con
tinued 'Go! go!' — and Ashby always went," And
if Avithout time to drill, Avith his troopers almost
constantly on detached service, he accomplished so
much, may we not safely conclude that Avith his en
thusiasm and dash there Avas ability of a high order?
It was his ability as an officer at the battle of Kerns
toAvn, seen in the masterly handling of the infantry,
and of the squadrons of horse supporting Chew's
Battery, — not only holding his OAvn, but even gaining
ground on the right all day, — which has Avarranted the
gallant Col. CIicav in saying: "I have ahvays believed

CONCLUSION. 257
his audacity saved Gen. Jackson's army from total
destruction at Kernstown." Let it be remembered
that Jackson's sun was at that time clouded by the
mishaps of the Bath campaign, and had serious dis
comfiture, involving the loss of his army, befallen him
there, that sun might have gone down in compara
tive obscurity, nor ever have risen to the zenith of
its glory at ChanceUorsviUe. The ability of Ashby,
at this critical conjuncture, may thus have saved to
the young Republic, and furnished to the Avorld, the
model soldier, " Stonewall " Jackson.
In conclusion it may be said of him, that in private
life he was esteemed for his high sense of honor,
truthfulness, and unobtrusive modesty. At the mess-
table he was genial, temperate, and agreeable; on the
skirmish line he Avas bold, Avatchful, and energetic;
amid the full blast of battle there Avas a rare admix
ture of enthusiasm and judgment ; on the retreat he
was patient, untiring, and stubborn ; on the advance,
full of spirit and impetuosity ; in victory he was
generous. During his brief, meteor-like life there
was an unselfish and spiritualized patriotism associ
ated with the name of this extraordinary man, which
rendered his existence, even to those intimately asso
ciated with him, almost a romance. Now, that- he is
gone, a grateful people treasure up his deeds as a part
of their oavu life-history, preserving them as one of
the most valuable portions of the legacy which they
hope to transmit to their children.
While living, we believe he discharged the duties
of his position with great ability and sleepless fidelity.
22*

258 CONCLUSION.
When death came, Ave trust and believe the great
enemy of our race AA'as disarmed in his presence —
because Ashby had given his heart to his God. Thus
he lived, and thus he died.
The AA'riter ends this Memoir, as he began, Avith
the reflection " that the tendency of human nature to
debase itself is so strong, that it is a duty we owe to
ourselves to hear some good music, to read a little
beautiful poetry, or to look upon a flne picture at
least once a day, in order to preserve a true love of
refinement, and a high sense of duty to God and
man." He believes the contemplation of Ashby's
character will have this effect. If he have given such
a picture of it as shall exert an elevating and purify
ing influence upon the youth of his native South, and
thus stimulate them to emulate the heroic deeds and
unselfish patriotism Avhich he has attempted to record
on these pages, his highest aim will haA-e been fully
attained.

ASHBY'S COMPEERS
(259)

SKETCH OF -THE
ASHBY {LAUREL) BRIGADE.

THIS organization was first formed 17th June, 1861,
by Col. A. W. McDonald, with Lieut.-Col. Turner
Ashby, and Major O. R. Funsten ; Dr. A. P. Burns, Sur
geon ; Rev. James B. Avirett, Chaplain ; Capt. John
D. Richardson, Commissary ; Capt. Thornton Pendleton,
A. Q. M. ; Lieut. A. W. McDonald, Adjutant; — with the
following ten companies, numbering respectively about
seventy troopers, well mounted, viz., — Company A, Capt.
Ashby; Co. B, Capt. Winfield ; Co. C, Capt. Myers ; Co.
D, Capt. Jordan; Co. E, Capt. Bowen; Co. F, Capt.
Sheetz ; Co. G, Capt. Mason ; Co. H, Capt. Harper ; Co. I,
Capt. Shands ; Co. K, Capt. Miller. Ordnance Ofiicer,
Capt. John A. Avirett, Talledega, Ala.
Just before the battle of Kernstown, and on the re
treat, the Ashby command was increased to twenty-six
companies by volunteering. It was without full regi
mental organization after the transfer of Col. McDonald,
who, from acute rheumatism, was forced from the field,
until after the death of Gen. Ashby. Col. Thomas
Mumford, 2d Virginia Cavalry, assumed coramand as
senior officer, until Brig.-Gen. Robertson, late Colonel
of 4th Virginia Cavalry, Avas sent to the Valley to give
the Ashby command thorough brigade organization.
Col. Wm. E. Jones, Lt.-Col. Dulany, aiid Major Thomas
Marshall, were recommended by Gen. Jackson as the
field officers of the original ten companies, now called
the 7th Virginia Cavalry. The 12th Virginia Cavalry
was now formed, and was thus officered, viz. : — Col., A.
W. Harman ; Lt.-Col., Burke ; Major, T. B. Massie, with
(261)

262 SKETCH OF THE
Lieut. Lewis Harman as Adjutant; — Avith the following
companies of the Ashby command, viz., — Co. A, Capt.
Henderson ; Co. B, Capt. R. W. Baylor ; Co. C, Capt.
Ford ; Co. D, Capt. Knott ; Co. E, Jas. Marshall ; Co.
F, Capt. Harry Gilmor ; Co. G, Capt. Willis ; Co. H,
Capt. Sipe ; Co. I, Capt. O'Ferrall ; Co. K, Capt. Rinker.
The remaining fiA'e companies of the Ashby command
Avere formed into 17th Virginia Battalion, and Major
Patrick Avas assigned to it, Avho Avas killed at the second
Manassas, when Lieut.-Col. Funsten A\'as ordered to com
mand it. In February, 1863, this Battalion was aug
mented by five companies aud organized into the llth
Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, and Avas thus officered,
viz., — Col., L. L. Lomox; Lieut. -CoL, 0. R. Funsten;
Major, M. D. Ball'; Adjutant, Holmes Conrad ; Surgeon,
T. L. Settle, Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Chamblin; A. Q.
M., Capt. Wm. Taylor ; and Avas composed of the fol
lowing companies, viz., — Co. A, Capt. Turner; Co. B,
Capt. Harness ; Co. C, Capt. Pendleton ; Co. D, Capt.
Ed. McDonald ; Co. E, Capt. Hess ; Co. F, Capt. Ware ;
Co. G, Capt. Dangerfleld ; Co. H, Capt. Pierce ; Co. I,
Capt. Ball ; Co. K, Capt. Richardson. The writer deeply
regrets his inability to furnish the company rolls, but
in subsequent editions he hopes to incorporate them into
this outline of organization, that the descendants of the
noble patriots Avho followed Ashby, Jones, and Rosser,
may have the Avritten testimony transmitted to them.
From first to last, CheAv's Battery Avas connected with
this brigade. It is noteworthy that Dr. West of Lou
don County, and Dr. John Starry of Jefferson, in the
capacity of surgeons, rendered efficient service to this
brigade. Gen. Robertson commanded it through the
second Manassas, in which there Avas some desperate
cavalry fighting, partly borne by this command. CoL
Mumford succeeded Robertson, and after the battle of
Sharpsburg, Avas succeeded by Col. Wm. E. Jones, of the
7th Virgiuia Cavalry, now made a Brigadier-General.
The following memoranda of the brigade's movements
Avill suggest to the readers in the Valley of Virginia
much that they may already have forgotten.

ASHBY BRIGADE. 263
February llth, 1863. — The brigade Avas at New Mar
ket, Gen. Jones in command. Ajml. — Commenced the
expedition to Western Virginia, Avhicli extended through
part of May. June, 1863. — -The brigade repaired
under orders to Culpepper Court-House, and participated
in the memorable cavalry battle of Brandy Station.
June 9th. — Moved thence vvith the Army of Northern
Virginia to Gettysburg, Pa., engaging the enemy's cav
alry at Upperville, Fauquier County, Va., and at sundry
other points, both going to and returning from Gettys
burg. July, 1863. — Returned to Culpepper County and en
gaged in outpost duty on the line of Rappahannock.
August. — Gen. Jones placed under arrest for alleged
disrespect to Gen. Stuart, commanding caA'alry. Com
mand devolved on Col. O. R. Funsten, llth Regiment.
(Col. Dulany, ranking officer, disabled by Avounds.) Col.
Funsten remained in command during the following
campaign in October, and Avas complimented in orders
from Cavalry Head-quarters for his management of
brigade at Jack Shop, Madison County, and indeed in
the entire movement against Meade, in Avhich he Avas
pushed back as far as Centreville.
October. — ^.Gen. Thomas L. Rosser assigned to brigade,
and took command at Manassas Junction. Reconnoitre
on the enemy's right as far as Chantilly; Avhen encoun
tering SedgAvick's Corps, the small force gracefully re
tires. Thence return to former position on Rapidan,
followed slowly by enemy's cavalry, and repulse Kil
patrick very signally at New Buckland Mills, Prince
William County.
November. — Encamped near Spottsylvania Court-
House and Hamilton Cross-Roads. Severe fight at
Parker's store on Plank road, Avhen Meade came over
to Mine Run and encountered Gen. Edward Johnson.
December. — Moved to Valley of Virgiuia, in the rear
of Meade's army Avhich Avas Avintering in Culpepper ;
attacking and taking by assault a fortified camp ¦ at
Sangster's Station, Orange and Alexandria railroads.
Severe march, eighty-nine miles through mud and driv-

264 SKETCH OF THE
ing rain, including night engagement at Sangster's Sta
tion, within twenty-four hours Avithout stopping even
to feed once. Thence through Middleburg, Upperville,
and Paris to Berry's Ferry. River unfordable, and pass
up its eastern bank to Hansberger's ford above Conrad's
store, at which point a crossing is eff'ected. Encamp for
a week near Mount Jackson.
1864. January Isi. — Raid into Hardy and Hampshire.
Excessive cold ; snow, ice, and Yankees, — all give trou
ble ; but the expedition a success. Capture wagon-train
and large number of prisoners on Sunday, 2d of Janu
ary, between New Creek Depot and Petersburg, Hardy
county, Va. Return to the Valley about January 10th,
and encamped for about two weeks near Burke's Mills,
Augusta county. Forced night march to Charlottesville,
and thence, through mud and rain, to Hanover Junction
to intercept Kilpatrick, who, with Dahlgren, was trying
to carry fire and sword into Richmond.
March. — Return to the Valley, and go into winter
quarters in Rockbridge county.
April. — Moved to Waynesboro on the Virginia Cen
tral Railroad, and await orders.
May 1st. — Marched towards Orange Court-House, and
on the 5th and 6th engaged in the battle of the Wilder
ness. Brigade and commander complimented by Gen.
Lee for services rendered, and after that we were known
as the Ashby {Laurel) Brigade.
June. — Helped to check Sheridan at Trevillians ;
Rosser Avounded, and disabled until last of August. The
command devolves on Col. R. H. Dulany.
July. — Fight the Yankee General Gregg, at Samaria
Church ; beat, and pursue him within ten miles of Charles
City Court-House. Proceed to south side of James River,
and encounter the Yankee raider, Wilson, on his return
from Staunton River Bridge. Check and turn him at
Sapony Church.
August. — Continue to campaign in Sussex and Din
widdle counties. Rosser returns.
September. — March via Lynchburg towards the
Valley.

ASHBY BRIGADE. 265
October. — Fall upon Sheridan's burning parties, and
harass them as far as Fisher's Hill. Rosser promoted
and Dulany commands. Dulany wounded severely near
Woodstock, and command devolves on Col. Funsten.
November. — Still on duty Avith Gen. Early in the
Valley. The winter of 1864 and 1865 was occupied with
important picket duty in the Valley, relieved by two
brilliant movements, the one under command of Col.
Wm. A. Morgan* (temporarily assigned to the Brigade)
to Beverly, and the other to New Creek Station on the
Virginia and Ohio Railroads. During the Spring cam
paign of 1865, the Brigade, or rather Avliat was left of
it, bore itself nobly in the operations around Richmond
and Petersburg. During Avhich time it Avas commanded
by Brig.-Gen. Dearing, who Avas mortally wounded on
the retreat, near the High Bridge. The command now
devolved upon Col. E. V. White,t under whose splendid
lead it fought magnificently, eliciting the admiration of
General Lee, who, like a lion at bay, was dealing the
enemy some severe blows. This Brigade did not sur
render at Appomattox Court-House, but, after some
splendid fighting in the morning, in Avhich the Division
of Federal cavalry, under Gregg, Avas roughly handled,
seeing that the hours of the stars and bars were num
bered on that field, Avith Col. White at its head, it cut
its Avay out, and encamped at Lynchburg that night ;
soon, however, the death-knell of capitulation was heard
all over the land, and the Ashby (Laurel) Brigade, hav
ing Avon the admiration of such soldiers as Jackson,
Lee, and Stuart, by heroic services in the path of duty,
* Col. Morgan was upon repeated OGcasions. intrusted with com
mands of the highest importance; he was, from first to last, as
signed to the command of almost all the Virginia Brigades of Cavalry,
in A. N. V. Generals Early and Rosser complimented him in the
highest terms for gallantry, and, backed by their support, he would
havc been made Brigadier, but for his modesty. His bearing during
thc trying hours of the Retreat from Petersburg was superb, and will
long bc remembered by the survivors ofthe army engaged with him as
rear-guard. — See Ajipeinlix.
f This gallant officer survived tho rude shook of arras, rising from
a private to be a colonel, and is now the sheriff of Loudon county, be
loved by his friends and respected by hia enemies.
23

266 ASHBY BRIGADE.
disappeared from among the military organizations of
the earth, with nothing left it but its honor, its scars,
its memory of the Past, while, as individuals, we must
all have hope of the Future. God does all things well
and wisely.*
* Brigade but slightly engaged at Appomattox, retired by order of
Major-Gen. commanding Divi.sion. The "splendid flghting" above
referred to occurred near FarmviUe, on Friday preceding the surren
der, where the brigade made its last charge in a body, gallantly led by
White, and aiding materiaUy in routing Gregg's Division of Federal
Cavalry.

CHEW'S BATTERY.

COLONEL R. P. CHEW.
AMONG the sons of Virginia whose deeds during the
late Revolution added fresh lustre to the pages of
her history, few have better earned the grateful regard
of the South than the " right hand " of Ashby, the Boy-
Captain who gave name to the most famous Battery of
the Valley.
R. Preston CheAV Avas born in Jefi'erson County, Va.,
on the Oth of April, 1843. He entered the Virginia
Military Institute in 1859, graduated in 1861, and Avas
appointed a Lieutenant of Artillery. He saw his first
service under General Edw. Johnson, in Greenbrier
County. Coming to the lower Valley during the .same
year, he organized the first Battery of Horse Artillery
ever used in the Confederate service. It consisted of
three guns — one Blakeley, one Tredegar, and one How
itzer — and 33 men. Captain commanding, R. P. CheAV ;
Lieutenants, Thompson, Williams, and Carter.* The
Boy-Captain took command ofit in his eighteenth year,
(with a 1st Lieutenant, '• Jamie Thomson," a fcAv months
younger than himself) and as the efficient assistant of
Ashby, deservedly shared the honors won by that bril
liant leader. He continued with his Battery until 1864,
Avhen he Avas promoted to a Battalion of Horse Artil
lery under Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, and during the same
* Lieutenants McCarty and Rouss were at one time efficient officera
in this Battery ; hut afterwards joined the Cavalry.
(267)

268 COLONEL JAMES W. THOMPSON.
year to the command of all the Horse Artillery con
nected with the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern
Virginia, consisting of 4 batteries — 40 guns — and 1200
men, and served as Chief of Heavy Artillery under Geu.
Wade Hampton until the close of the Avar. Few saAV
more constant, dangerous, and arduous service, or came
out of that terrible struggle with more reason to be
grateful for a stainless and glorious career. He has
returned to his native county, attended by the fervent
wishes of every compatriot that his "latter days may
be as prosperous and happy as his former ones have
been glorious and honorable."

A SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF THE LATE
COLONEL JAMES W. THOMPSON,
OF chew's batteet.
" Mourn for the mourners, and not for the dead ;
For they are at rest, and we in tears."
JAMES W. THOMPSON was born at Berryville,
Clarke County, Va., on the 28th of October, 1843.
He was a cadet of the Virginia M. Institute, that Alma
Mater of noble spirits, and a pupil of Major (afterwards
Stonewall) Jackson. At the beginning of the late strug
gle, he, with other cadets, Avas ordered to Richmond to
drill the men called into the field by his jMother State.
Later, he Avas ordered to Harper's Ferry for the same
duty, where he remained until the eA'acuation of that
place. About the time of the movement to Manassas,
General Jackson placed him on his staff", and at the
memorable first Manassas he was one of those efficient
aids whose coolness aud promptness Avere said to have
contributed so much to the success of the day. Return-

COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER. 269
ing home not long after, he, R. P. Chew, and others,
raised the first Battery of Horse- Artillery used in the
Confederate service. Chew was elected captain, Thompson
one of the lieutenants. They had three guns and thirty-
three men. This Battery, as connected with the Ashby
command, soon became the terror of the enemy, and the
pet and boast of the soldiers and people of the Valley,
and did most excellent service until the close of the war.
Upon Capt. CheAv's promotion, Lieut. Thompson became
captain of the Battery ; he Avas afterwards made Major,
and a few days before his death Avas promoted to a colo
nelcy. He fell at High Bridge, near FarmviUe, Va.,
while heading a charge which he had volunteered to
lead, although then on the sick-list, Avith his arm in a
sling, from unclosed wounds. Among the many young,
brave, and illustrious patriots who fell in defence of
Virginia, that mother of heroes did not honor whilst
living, nor mourn when dead, a nobler, braver, or more
chivalrie son than Colonel James W. 'Thompson.

COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER.
Chaelestowk, Va., Jmmary 18th, 1867.
Me. Avieett.
Dear Sir : I haA'e the pleasure to acknowledge the
receipt of yours through Mr. White, this evening. With
reference to the aff'air referred to by Dr. Dabney, I will
give you a statement of the facts as far as my observa
tion and knoAvledge extend. General Ashby followed
the infantry of General Jackson with a detachment of
his cavalry, (a portion of it having been sent down the
Shenandoah Valley to confront the enemy at Strasburg,)
I accompanied him with my guns. He diverged from
the Front Royal and Luray road, and struck the rail
road as you kuow at Buckton. I Avas not Avith him,
23*

270 COLONEL CHEW'SLETTER.
until I rejoined the head of the army near CedarviUe.
Here General Ashby, with his cavalry, my battery, two
guns of Poague's battery, and some infantry skirmishers,
left the turnpike and pushed for Middletown. When he
arrived in sight of the place, we discovered the enemy
in the toAvn, and immediately opened on them with
artillery. General Ashby detached his cavalry, and
sent them, under Major Funsten, to strike the turnpike
at some point between Middletown and Newtown, with
a view of cutting off" the enemy in his front from retreat
to Winchester. After a short delay, to enable this force
to reach its destination at the proper time, he formed
his skirmishers and advanced rapidly across the fields
to the lower portion of the town. Here he encountered
a considerable force of caA'alry, and running up his artil
lery to Avithin a hundred yards, opened on the Yankees
with artillery and small arms. The enemy, crowded in
the turnpike, gave vvay and retreated in all directions.
Ashby dashed in amoug them, and, pistol in hand, cap
tured himself many prisoners. Major Funsten in the
meantime had reached the turnpike beloAV Middletown,
perhaps two miles, and forced the retreating Yankees
towards the Back Road, besides capturing a large wagon-
train. It was here that the cavalry became dispersed,
and the reasons why Ashby failed to have his cavalry
in hand the next morning, as I always understood them,
were these : — The cavalry we defeated at Middletown
retreated towards North Mountain and WinchestM,
scattered, in fact completely routed. Major Funsten
prevented those retreating towards Winchester from
pursuing their retreat in that direction, and forced them
to retreat across the hills, as I said before, towards the
Back Road. Our cavalry, of course, pursued, and, of
necessity in pursuing a scattered foe, became dispersed
themselves. Ashby pursued. Avith my guns towards
Winchester, aud, Avhen Ave reached the point AA'here
Funsten struck the turnpike, Ave threw the guns into
position, and Ashby, with about forty men, charged a
line of the enemy's infantry between us and Christman's
house.

COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER. 271
Gen. Ashby had started from New Market with but a
portion of his cavalry. They had marched until the
horses Avere exhausted — without rest day or night; and
when the enemy became dispersed and fled in the great
est confusion, our cavalry pursued and scattered in pur
suit of the enemy. Major Funsten had but a very small
detachment when we reached him, and we had passed
the wagon-train where the plundering was reported to
have occurred, and the cavalry were not there, and, un
less they returned after we passed, the infantry and not
the cavalry got the benefit of the spoils. This has, at
any rate, always been my impression. Gen. Ashby
pushed the enemy Avith this small force of cavalry and
my guns, through Newtown, and until dark, when we
went into camp to feed our exhausted horses, — having
pursued the enemy at a gallop from hill to hill between
Middletown and NcAvtown. Gen. Jackson now pushed
forward, and evening found him before the enemy at
Winchester. Our cavalry had pursued the enemy until
dark, and the Avhole army pressing forward, prevented
them from reassembling, and, the day following. Gen.
Ashby Avas almost without a command. Gen. Ashby
was with Gen. Jackson on the morning of the battle
of Winchester, while the latter Avas engaged in plant
ing his batteries. I know nothing of his subsequent
action until after the battle. I overtook him below
Stephenson's depot, dashing upon the enemy Avhenever an
opportunity off'ered, with a handful of men. I was never
aware of any independent enterprise of Gen. Ashby's,
nor do I believe he was anywhere but at the front of the
army with a small force of his cavalry. The rapidity
of Gen. Jackson's movements, added to the confusion
attending the march of a large army, prevented our
cavalry from re-forming after they were scattered. I
ahvays believed that the matter was misrepresented to
Gen. Jackson, and hence his severe criticism upon the
cavalry. It Avas certainly unfortunate for Ashby, as
Avell as the cause, that his men were not with him on
that day, as an excellent opportunity was afforded for
the employment of cavalry. Yet I do not believe he

272 COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER.
was to be blamed Avith their absence. It Avas then popu
lar to say Gen. Ashby exercised no control over his men
beyond personal influence, that- there Avas no discipline
in his command. It was boasted that his successes were
gained, not by skilful manosuvre, but by the reckless
dash and courage of himself and men ; but I will do
him the justice to say that he could ahvays command
more men for duty from the same muster-rolls than any
cavalry commander under Avhom I have since served.
While he was not possessed of brilliant intellect, his
complete self-possession under all circumstances, and
that absence of feai- or regard for personal security,
enabled him at all times to exercise a cool and clear
judgment. I haA'e served at diff'erent times during the
war with almost all the prominent cavalry leaders of
Virginia, and I have never seen one who possessed the
ability to inspire troops under fire Avith the courage and
enthusiasm 'that Ashby's presence ahvays excited. His
modesty, combined with his gentleness, rendered him
agreeable to all Avho came in contact with him. He
was always bold in his operations Avith cavalry, and be
lieved in charging the enemy Avhenever opportunity
afforded. He adopted in the beginning of the Avar the
tactics Avith cavalry by which later in the war other
cavalry commanders could only secure success — namely,
always meeting the enemy by bold and determiued
charges, and when defeated, to press them Avith the utmost
vigor. I have always believed his audacity saved Gen.
Jackson's army from total destruction at the battle of
Kernstown. 'The Yankees had formed to the left of the
village (facing south) a large force of infantry and caA'
alry. Ashby moved boldly foinvard Avitli his command,
consisting of a fcAV companies of cavalry and my three
guns, and, protecting his men from observation by Avoods
and ravines, opened on them Avith artillery and Avith
stood, from ten o'clock until dark, the fire of the enemy's
artillery — sometimes as many as three or four batteries.
Wben the enemy moved forward, he dashed upon and
repulsed them \vith his cavalry. Had the enemy known
our strength, or not been deceived hy the audacity of

COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER. 273
the movement, they could have swept forAvard upon the
turnpike, turned Jackson's right flank, and cut off", his
retreat by way of the turnpike. They, howeA'er, made
little efibrt to advance, and Ave remained in our position
until Jackson had retired to NeAvtown. The day fol
lowing. Gen. Ashby covered Gen. Jackson's retreat, con
testing every inch of ground with the enemy. When
Ave reached Middletown, he ordered all his cavalry back
across Cedar Creek to feed, and keeping one gun with
him near MiddletOAvn, with a fcAA' cavalry prepared to
check the advance of the enemy. Discovering our
Aveakness, however, they dashed forward, and our firing
Avas ineff'ectual to stop their advance. Ordering the gun
to retreat, he galloped along in the rear. The Yankees
pressed forAvard rapidly to capture the gun, and it was
in imminent danger of capture Avhen Ave reached the top
of the hill over the creek. Here Gen. Ashby halted,
and facing the enemy, quietly awaited their approach.
Bewildered by his boldness, they halted, thinking, I sup
pose, that he was supported by a force behind the hill,
and the gun made its escape across the stream. The
conduct of this retreat, or rather the protection he
afforded to the retreating army whose rear he covered,
was probably the most brilliant of his military career.
He fought them from hill to hill, aud harassed the pur
suing force iu every conceivable manner.
The day of his death Avas probably the most brilliant
of his life. He had routed Wyndham and his cavalry,
and dashing forward in pursuit of the routed force, dis
covered that instead of retreating toAvards Harrisonburg
they had turned towards the turnpike, and after reach
ing it, had turned towards Staunton. Gen. Ashby saw
immediately that if the enemy at Harrisonburg could
be checked, an opportunity was afi'orded of capturing
this force. With this object in vieAV he applied to the
commander of the rear brigade, to moA'c to the hills
facing Harrisonburg to protect this moveraent. This
Avas declined, however, and a raessenger sent to Gen.
EavcII, whose Division was in the rear : he came promptly
to the rear, and discovering that the movement Avas

274 COLONEL CHEW'S LETTER.
necessary at all events to protect his rear, promptly
coincided with Gen. Ashby, and ordered the infantry to
report to Ashby. When he met Gen. Ashby, he compli
mented him upon his "brilliant exploit." As Ashby
rode along the lines he was received with vociferous
cheers by the men. A delay had been caused by send
ing the message to Gen. EavbII, and the enemy had
gained the hill we desired to occupy. It Avas deter
mined however to attack them, and Gen. Ashby dashed
forward at the head of the infantry, and fell cheering
the men to battle. Had he lived, I believe he would
have been second to few as a soldier, and certainly
excelled by none in patriotism and intrepid courage.
As to the interrogatories concerning myself, — I Avas
horn April 9th, 1843. Entered the Military school at
Lexington in 1859. Graduated in 1861, and saAV my
first service under " Alleghany " Johnson in Greenbrier
County, as a Lieutenant of Artillery. I organized my
Battery of three guns, with thirty-three men, Nov., 1861,
— served in capacity of Captain from this time, when I
was eighteen, until Feb. 28th, 1864, when I Avas promoted
to the command of a Battalion of Horse Artillery
under J. E. B. Stuart, and in the same year was pro
moted to the command of the horse artillery connected
with the Cavalry corps of the Army of Northern Vir
ginia, then consisting of five batteries — 40 guns — 1200
men, and served as Chief of Horse Artillery with Gen.
Wade Hampton until the close of the Avar. It may be
well to add that mine Avas the first battery of horse
artillery organized in the Confederate States.

LINES ON THE GRAVE OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL
THOMAS MARSHALL.
[by a NEIOHBOB.*]
The silver chord is here unstrung.
The golden bowl to fragments flung,
The body lies beneath the sod.
The spirit wings its way to God.
No longer heaves that manly breast,
That anxious brain is now at rest;
The battle-stains have left that brow.
That noble heart is pulseless now.
And cold and calm within the grave.
There lie these remnants of the brave.
In happier times, when quiet reigned
O'er peaceful lands, by blood unstained.
His contrite heart in faith he gave
The earth-born God, who came to save, —
The Prince of Peace, whose crown of thorn
The mercy-drops of blood adorn.
Who to your corpse will yet restore,
A soul redeemed, to part no more, —
When he shall utter his command.
And spread it far o'er sea and land,
t 0 ! breath, come breathe upon these slain,
When all the dead shall live again.
* The author of these lines is Dr. R. C. Ambler, of Fauquier County, Va.
f Ezek. 27, chap. 9. (275)

MEMOIR OF
LIEUT.-COLONEL THOMAS MARSHALL

IT is ever an arduous task to get the world to recog
nize the merit of a man (no matter what his intrinsic
worth may be), who during the course of his life has
simply done his duty, unless the performance of it leads
him into some position which attracts public attention.
An individual possessing probably ordinary uprightness,
intelligence, or ability, may take advantage of an op
portunity which fortune throAvs in his Avay, to venture
out beyond the circle which public opinion has draAvn
around us and calls the strict line of duty, and become
at once a centre of attraction and an object of interest ; —
it matters not hoAV frequent and how deep may be his
shrinkings within the circle, one or two overshots cover
the depressions, and surround the person with a misty
reputation Avhich ofttimes increases in the eye of the pub
lic to a halo of glory, answering the double purpose of
hiding his faults from the undiscerning, and rendering it
too unpopular and ungrateful a task for the real critic
to expose. Modest Avorth, though concealed by its own
nature, will eventually exert its infiuence; and strict
uprightness erects for itself a monument more lasting
than the tinsel of public applause. That man's memory
deserves most from his felloAV-men, who, during the
Avhole course of his life, has made it his effort to folloAV
strictly the way marked out by his conscience, to disre
gard alike the blandishments and flattery of popular
praise and the inducements which are so strongly held
out by the ease and power of riches to let honesty be
regulated by policy; that man, Avho never "erook'd the
pregnant hinges of the knee, that thrift might follow
(276)

COLONEL MARSHALL. 277
fawning," but from the age of discretion to the hour of
his death follows Avhat he believes to be his duty strictly,
through good report and evil, clinging to the line alike ;
Avhen it runs along the smooth and easy path, in the
sweet enjoyment of the society of friends and children,
in the midst of luxury and Avealth, or doAvn through the
dark valley of trouble and affliction, and in the times
that try men's souls. But the character of such a
man, great as it is in itself, simply because he only did
his duty, possesses but little that is of interest to the
Avorld at large. Such is the difficulty in undertaking a
sketch like this, Avhich raakes us naturally hesitate lest
¦ our OAvn awkwardness in portraying the qualities which
made Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Marshall so much beloA'ed,
might mar or interrupt the tender recollections and
sacred infiuences that are associated Avith his name.
Thomas Marshall, the youngest child of Thomas
Marshall of Oak Hill, and grandson of John Marshall,
Chief Justice of the United States, Avas born at Oak
Hill, in Fauquier County, Va., on the 17th day of
January, 1826. His mother died in the year 1829,
Avhen he Avas but little more than three years old ; his
father, whose full name he bore, Avas killed by accident,
in the city of Baltimore, iii the year 1835.
Up to the time of this event, the family residence A^as
Oak Hill ; the Avinters, however, Avere ahvays spent in
Richmond, or at Wyanoke, on James River. Kept at
home with the family, his early education was under the
immediate charge of his sisters and his father ; but about
the year after the death of the latter, he removed to
Gloucester County, Va., and attended school for a session
at Gloucester Court-House. The climate of that part of
the country not agreeing Avith his health, in the fall of
1837 he returned to Fauquier County, and, for several
years, attended school at Mont Blanc. From the years
1841 to 1845 he was at school in Richmond, and during
the session of 1845-46 he became a student of the Uni
versity of Virginia.
The record of his school-days, and the recollection both
24

278 COLONEL MARSHALL.
of those who had him in charge, and of his companions,
is, that -during the whole course of his school-boy life
he exhibited those traits of character Avhich afterwards
marked him out as a man endowed with the gentleness
of a woman, yet at the same time Avith firmuess, courage,
and resolution rarely possessed. At the University his
course was eminently successful, and but for an incident
which in itself served to illustrate the honor and unself
ishness of the man, he would have taken the first honors
of the Institutiou. It was within a fcAV weeks of the
end of the session ; he had ^graduated already on nearly
all the tickets necessary to take the degree of A. M.,
and was offering on the remaining few, Avithout a doubt
in his own mind, or that of any one else, of success, when
a riot took place among the students, of Avhich he, though
not at all a participant, was yet unfortunate enough to
be a spectator. In the inquiry, therefore, into the
matter by the faculty, he Avas summoned as a witness ;
but, actuated by a proper sense of pride and honor, he
refused to testify. He was informed by the faculty, that
the alternative was compliance or dismissal.
Here was a peculiar and a trying position in which
he was placed ; the youngest son of the family, the pet
and pride of his friends, a devoted and ambitious stu
dent, he had looked forAvard to the degree of A. M. as
the croAvning of his hopes, the reward of his labors, and
the best evidence of his industry ; to the loss of this also
Avould be added the, to all young men, galling fact of a
dismissal. The critical and uncharitable public, he
knew, Avould draAV no dividing line between him and
those others avIio were at the same time dismissed for
disgraceful conduct, but he must go doAvn in general
estimation with thera, suffering under a false ban, and
shorn of all those fruits of success Avhich hung so tempt
ingly before him.
If he ever hesitated in his own mind, we knoAv not,
but certainly there was no faltering in his action : he
refused to testify ; and the faculty, forced by their owu
sense of delicacy, permitted him to Avithdraw without a
public dismissal, and he refused to accept afterwards tho

COLONEL MARSHALL. 279
off'er of permission to return. In after-life, in relating
this incident to the writer of this Meraoir, he said, that,
regarding as he did the conduct of the rioters as very
iraproper, he should not have advised any one else to
act as he did ; but having so much at stake in himself,
he had feared that if he acted otherAvise, he might be
actuated more by selfishness and the desire to sacrifice
others to serve himself, than by any unwillingness to
have men punished Avho by their conduct richly deserved
it. Uuder the circumstances, therefore, though the loss
of the degree was a never-ceasing source of regret to
him, yet he had never found reason to disapprove his
own course in the matter.
After leaving the University, he becarae a student of
laAV with Mr. D. W. Barton, in Winchester, Va. It was
during this tirae that he becarae interested in the subject
of religion, and began that life of piety which never
changed but to increase, and ever marked him as " a
city set on a hill." In Winchester also he met the lady,
the eldest daughter of Mr. Barton, Avhom he afterAvards
in the month of August, 1848, married. Previous to
his raarriage, for sorae reason, he had given up the idea
of practising law, and soon after his marriage settled
upon the " Shady Oak " farm, about six railes from
Winchester. Here he lived quiet, contented, and happy,
Avith scarce a sorroAV to mar the pleasure of his daily
existence ; respected by all, and ardently adraired and
beloved by those Avho knew him well. It was about
this period that the writer of this Memoir Avas throAvn
into the most intimate and near relation with Thoraas
Marshall, and frora that time almost until he ceased to
be, lived under the shadow of his influence and in ad
miring view of his unspotted life. It is, therefore, from
the closest observation and intimate experience Avith the
man, that I am able to speak of the good and great
qualities which Avere so eminently his. In the year
 , the " Oak Hill " farm in Fauquier County, the
old family residence, Avas ofifered for sale ; Thomas Mar
shall becarae the purchaser, and the folloAving year
moved there with his family.

280 COLONEL MAR SHALL.
Here his life continued Avhat it had been in Frederick,
— a period of almost uninterrupted domestic happiness.
Absorbed in the cultivation of his farm, and in the educa
tion and care of a lovely family of children groAving up
around him, he found it the fittest school to develop in
himself, and to exhibit toAvards others, all those Christian
and gentle graces for Avhich he Avas so marked, and by
which he bound himself so firmly in the aff'ections of those
Avho kncAV him. We hesitate to intrude upon the sanctity
of the domestic circle in Avhich Col. Jlarshall then so
delighted ; but here was his element, here he showed
brightest in all the qualities which adorn the Christian
and the scholar ; and here we remember him as the de
voted husband and affectionate father. Next to his God,
he used to say, his soul was most Avrapped up in his
children, and with their SAveet voices mingled with his,
it Avas his habit every day to Avalie the early dawn with
praises to the God he loA'ed. His domestic disposition
did not prcA'ent hira, however, from frequently joining
in those social gatherings for which his neighborhood
Avas noted. Not a smoker or a drinker, yet there was
no one that more enjoyed a harmless joke or had a
heartier laugh than he. His happy disposition and pe
culiar laugh, indeed, could hardly fail to impress any
one that raet hira, aud it Avas ever the sarae in the par
lor or in the camp, under the trees or up at the skirmish
line ; and yet sorrow never raet him or went aAvay lack
ing sympathy. His time spent thus scarce left room for
him to indulge much in the jjolitics of the day ; hut a
diligent reader of everything that appeared, and a care
ful thinker, his views upon public questions were fully
made up aud very decided. Educated as a Whig in the
school of his fathers, he still clung to the old party is-"
sues, and while ahvays feeling great pride inhis State, he
ever advocated a strong Federal Government, favoring
one, hc used to say, that ^^¦as stroug enough and Avilling
enough to crush fanatics on either side of the line. It was
then ever, as far as his own influence went, his strongest
efl'ort and earnest desire to calm the fires of passion
which had begun for the fe\v years preceding the event-

COLONEL MARSHALL. 281
ful spring of 1861, to kindle so fiercely around him. In
the fall of 1859, the whole countiy Avas startled and
shocked by thc appearance of John BroAvn and his
murderous gang at Harper's Ferry. Faithful to the
principles he advocated, and ever ready to test them by
actual practice, Mr. Marshall mustered among the first
to the place afterwards so raeraorable in history, and
Avhich then threatened to be the scene of a bloody insur
rection. A few days putting an end to the disturbances
so unfortunately excited, he returned to his horae filled
Avith anxiety for the future, and regretting above all
things that the advocates of the doctrine of Secession, to
Avhich he was so much opposed, should, from the mad
atterapt of these feAV fanatics, have in the future so plau
sible a reason for pressing their clairas upon the jieople.
The volunteer spirit Avhich, after the atterapt of John
Brown, so thoroughly pervaded the State, did not fail to
have its effect upon him ; he joined a company of cav
alry which Avas organized at Salem, in Fauquier, and for
a long tirae he attended its drills and parades. The
first moanings of the coming storm, heard so far back in
the past and so constantly kept up by Congressional
slavery agitation, had accustomed us to look somewhat
Avith indiff'erence uj)on a troubled political sky ; a buoy
ant hope and a confiding trust in the genius and spirit
of the American people made such of us who felt as did
the subject ofthis Memoir, think that there never could
be an actual conflict of arms. While there was so much
of good in the Government, and so little' of actual evil,
he felt that the ranrmurings and complaints of both
sides would be soothed and settled by a compromise
which, without a sacrifice of principle, only gave and
took imaginary rights. The disturbance at Harper's
Ferry then came almost like a clap of thunder in a
clear sky; shaking somcAvhat, though not entirely de
stroying, our faith in Northern conservatism, — not con
vincing us altogether that the entering wedge was dividing
Southern love of the Union. From this unfortunate
timo, events involving great political consequences fol
lowed each other like the beating of a feverish pulse.
24*

282 COLONEL MARSHALL.
The Presidential campaign, even in ordinary times cal
culated to arouse the fiercest passions of men, now
seemed to surge like a black wave of discord through
the length and breadth of the land ; the cool opinions
of thinking men, the prophetic admonitions of honored
statesmen passed to their graves, and the earnest appeals
of living patriots, fell like Avhispers to the wind amidst
the turmoil and passion that had seized the hearts and
minds of men. The consequence was a natural one ; the
true conservatism of the country Avas divided as to the
means of gaining their end, and thus Radicalism, really
a minority, prevailed. Mr. Lincoln was elected. South
Carolina seceded. Against both alike Mr. Marshall
ever entered a solemn protest. Both were the fruits of
sectionalism, either but the beginning of evil and sorrow ;
and from this time forward he looked to no other result,
and until the confiict actually came, his thoughts and
tirae Avere spent in preparation for it. A strong Union
man, the idea of resisting the Government was a painful
one, and it was far more agreeable to him to contemplate
fighting fanatics in the Union than out of it; yet the
thought of coercion never entered his breast, for though
a Whig and a Federalist, he always considered the Union
one of common interest and pride, never one of galling
restraint ; its coercive poAver might extend to individu
als, but not to coraraunities. He never hesitated then,
in his anticipation of the future, to think that, should the
Government attempt coercion, he Avould he found under
the fiag of his State and fighting for personal liberty.
The boom of the first gun across the waters of Charles
ton Harbor aAvoke an echo through the mountains and
valleys of Virginia, Avhich proclairaed at once the course
events Avould take ; the Convention passed the Ordinance
of Secession, and the people prepared to turn their plough
shares into swords and their pruning-hooks into spears.
The times are not made for men, but men for the times,
and troubles do not form character so much as they
develop it. The unruffled surface of the peaceful
waters preserve alike the consistency of the hard rock
and the deceitful sand-bank, but when the winds arise

COLONEL MARSHALL. 283
and the waves begin to beat, the solid structure resists
their utmost efforts, while the crumbling mass sinks and
washes out of sight. From amid the quiet scenes around
his own hearthstone, lately saddened by a vacant chair,
the tocsin of war, and beacon-lights of stirring events,
roused up the subject of this sketch, and brought into
light new traits of character — the courage, firmness, and
quick thought, which all concealed had lain hidden
beneath the more accustomed aspect of Christian gentle
ness and the strict adherence to the duties of his civil
life. The centre of attraction to all Virginia, about the
middle of the month of April, 1861, Avas the little village
of Harper's Ferry, situated so picturesquely in the bosom
of the Mountain, and where the trerabling waters of the
Potoraac and Shenandoah unite in one broad stream.
Over this peaceful place, the mutterings of the coming
troubles had at last gathered into a war-cloud, and amid
the lurid flames of the burning arsenal Avhich gilded the
mountains round and lighted the footsteps of the ap
proaching troops, the storm first burst upon quiet Vir
ginia. Thomas Marshall hurried to this scene of excite
ment among the first, his path now plainly open before
him, and enthusiastic as he ever was in what he felt to
he his duty.
Amid the confusion which was the order of the day
at Harper's Ferry, under militia rule first established
there, he acted in various capacities ; at one time a pri
vate in a company, and afterwards detailed and employed
as the emergency required, or as the commanding officer
had need of him. When Colonel (afterwards General)
Jackson took command, and began to bring order out of
confusion, Mr. Marshall was associated with his friend
and relative. Captain (afterwards Major) F. B. Jones,
who was at that time Adj utant-General for Col. Jackson,
and he was given a place as volunteer aide upon the
Colonel's staff', with the complimentary rank of Captain.
The time spent at Harper's Ferry Avas profitably em
ployed by Captain Marshall in acquainting himself Avith
the details of military life ; and the rapid organization

284 COLONEL MARSHALL.
of the troops being effected by Col. Jackson, in which
all his military family were called upon to assist, occu
pied his time so thoroughly, aud so zealously did he enter
into his duties, that he did not spare hiraself time, during
the whole period that the army lay at Harper's Ferry, to
visit his family, though distant from him only a few
hours' ride. *
After the army left this their first position, and during
all its raoveraents through the loAver Valley, the brigade
Avhich Col. Jackson then coraraanded occupied a con
spicuous position. Coraposed entirely of Virginians, and
nearly so of men from the Valley, it seemed but proper
that it should fire the fii'st gun in defence of its own
section. Organized and drilled on the hills over the
Shenandoah, and equipped first in the holiday attire in
Avhich in time of peace its raerabers had been wont on
parade days to exhibit their fine figures and stalwart
lirabs, it soon accustomed itself to the hardships inci
dental to actual earapaigning ; and to be more useful than
ornaraental, the green and gold was soon supplanted by
the gray and butternut. The army slowly wound its Avay
back from the burning bridge and now deserted village
of Harper's Ferry, seeking a position better capable of
defence, yet ever turning in its path at the least sign of
an enemy. The brigade of Jackson, so memorable after
Avards as well for its long marches as its hard fighting,
had now the first chance of seeing real soldiering. Its
regiments were ordered here and there through cold
rains and over rauddy roads, wherever occasion de
manded; — up along the banks ofthe dashing Potomac,
and on the route of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
burning bridges and destroying public property likely
to be useful to the Federals ; then back Avith the main
force near Winchester, and the next night again on its
rapid, Aveary Avay to Martinsburg; — now skirmishing
near Falling Waters, and holding with a handful the
Avhole army of Patterson in check, and then back with
the main line, forming an iraportant part as " tho troops
which had been under fire " in the ranks at Darksville.
The movements of the army of Johnson, aud the part

COLONEL MARSHALL. 285
taken in them by the StoneAvall brigade, are too well
knoAvn to make it necessary that they should form part
of this .sketch ; it is sufficient to say, that in all their
marches, at every skirmish, and every bivouac. Captain
Marshall was always up at the front, rendering to his
comraander that efficient aid Avhich an active staff-officer
is capable of doing. Soon the army of the Valley,
after manoeuvring around Winchester for .=ome time,
marched rapidly across the mountaius to assisst Beaure
gard at Manassas. In the battle Avhich here ensued, the
position occupied by Jackson and his raen has become a
matter of history, and amid such a band of heroes scarce
one man towers above another. The General's staff were
called upon by their personal presence and courage to
keep the raen up in line, and to afford both officers and
men the assistance their oavu inexperience made neces
sary. In charging with one of the regiments in the
hottest part of the engagement, CajDt. Marshall's horse
was killed, and unable to procure another, he continued
the fight on foot Avith the infantry. Not yet free from
the habits of his civil life, he had gone into the fight
with a linen duster over his uniform ; the white afford
ing a consjDicuous mark to sharpshooters as he rode back
wards and forAvards, carrying messages. He said, how
ever, that it had ncA'er occurred to hira until after the
fight. The Christian character of Capt. Marshall, always
conspicuous in priA'ate life, Avas noAV more aud raore de
veloped by the circumstances surrounding him. The
constant presence of danger, and the narrow boundary
which always seems to separate the soldier's life from
the dark valley, were in themselves sufficient to make a
thinking man keep his lamp trimraed and burning ; but
more than this did the vice and demoralization of camp-
life excite in Capt. Marshall an antagonisra for his Mas
ter's service. Unostentatious, and despising cant, he
Avas able, with a straightforAvard and generous body of
men, to exert an influence to Avhich but fcAV professional
theologians are able to attain. The religious exercises
of the carap under his leadership Avere always rendered
more effective for good from the fact that his own life

286 COLONEL MARSHALL.
was as pure as the prayers he offered up; and associated
intiraately as one of the railltary family of the Christian
Jackson, their camp was free frora all the vices, while it
retained fully the social pleasures incident to such a life.
The long quiet intervening after the battle of Manassas
was occupied in arranging and organizing the army
more thoroughly, and among the various changes which
took place, there carae the well-deserved proraotion of
Gen. Jackson to the rank of Major-General. Captain
Jones, at that time Gen. Jackson's Adjutant-General,
with the refinement of feeling which always characterized
him, deemed it his duty upon this promotion to give the
General an opportunity, unembarrassed, to re-select his
own military family in the new sphere to Avhich he was
about to remove, and so handed in his resignation. This
was accepted, and he was afterwards made Major of the
2d Virginia Regiment, which position he occupied until
about a year afterwards he fell gallantly fighting in the
battle of Cold Harbor. Capt. Marshall acting simply,
as volunteer aide, and having been in the beginning con
nected with Capt. Jones in the A. A. G. Department,
also resigned. Going back to his home in Fauquier, he
spent a fcAV weeks there with his children, and after
wards a short tirae in Winchester. He then accepted a
position under Gen. Carson commanding the militia
at Winchester, as well for the purpose of being occupied
in the service, as of recruiting from the militia a volun
teer company for service in the approaching spring cam
paign. In this he was successful ; and Avhen in the raonth
of March, 1862, Jackson evacuated Winchester, Capt.
Marshall went out at the head of a good cavalry com
pany, made up in the County of Frederick, and Avas
placed in the comraand of his former friend and neigh
bor, the gallant Turner Ashby. From this time up to
Ashby's death, the history of the one is that of the
other. The magic of Ashby's success consisted in his
own splendid bravery and that of those Avhom the very
love of his person always drew around hira. None
loved him more fondly, none stuck closer to him, or
were more willing to risk their lives with him, than Capt

COLONEL MARSHALL. 287
Marshall ; and upon no one of his gallant Captains did
Ashby more implicitly rely. Up and down the Valley,
ever closest to the eneray, frora Kernstown to McDoAvell
and back to Winchester, doAvn to the banks of the Po
toraac, and again to the sad field where Ashby fell, the
gallant few that always rallied round their loved cora
mander, made the enemy feel their presence and dread
their blows.
The envious bullet yvhich sIcav that peerless man, spread
a cloud of gloora over all that Avere associated Avith him.
On the day after his death, as the sun was sinking upon
the field of the battle of Cross-Keys, the order had been
issued for the cavalry, then under the coramand of Col.
Funsten, to change their position from the left of the
army to the extreme right, thus Avithdrawing them from
before Fremont to confront the advancing coluran of
Shields. The author of this sketch Avell remembers this
gallant body of men, as they rode in silent order through
the infantry and artillery draAvn up in line of battle on
the Avest bank of the Shenandoah. The noble leader
accustoraed for so long to be seen at their head, was no
longer there, and the countenance of eA'ery man in that
long line showed how sadly he Avas raissed ; not a jest
or a laugh could be heard, but each one seemed to feel
that he had lost not only a comraander but a friend.
No one in that host expressed or felt raore sorrow for
Ashby's deatii than did Capt. Marshall ; — the pure sim
plicity and unselfish patriotism of the raan had AVOund
him round his heart, while the courage and skill of the
General made him feel the loss his country Avould sustain
in his death.
History, which takes charge of the big events, Avill
tell my readers, how the battle of Port Republic fol
lowed that of Cross-Keys, and how Ashby's cavalry,
under Col. Funsten and a host of captains, dogged and
worried the retreating coluran of Freraont to the lower
Valley. The ever marching, scheming, fighting Jack
son passes over the raountains, hurries by railroad and
on foot his veterans down the Peninsula, to strike
McClellan on the fiank and push him into the James.

288 COLONEL MARSHALL.
The Valley was thus left to the guardian care of the
cavalry. So large a number of companies had Ashby
gathered around hira, by his personal popularity and
the reputation of his prowess, that it was now found
necessary to reorganize thera into regiraents ; for this
purpose Gen. R. R. Robertson Avas sent to take com
mand. At their camp near Harrisonburg, the officers
assembled to select the field-officers, to command the
seventh, eleventh, and twelfth regiments, into Avhich,
Avith White's Battalion, the Ashby command was now
divided. The Avriter of this never did and never ex
pects to admit, that the vox populi is the vox Dei ; but
in a military assemblage, Avhile not an unfailing test of
merit, still the choice of the multitude is much raore apt
to deserve the distinction than in ordinary civil life,
Avhere every art and device and bribery raay be brought
to bear with much greater effect than among a band
of rough soldiers more liable to be influenced by per
sonal dash and bravery than by any other motive. The
choice of the Ashby Brigade fell upon Capt. Thomas
Marshall to command the Twelfth Regiment ofVirginia
Cavalry; the gallant Capt. Chew,. of the artillery, was
chosen to be his Lieutenant-Colonel ; other officers Avere
elected for the other regiments, and the selections were
generally accepted as very proper ones. To secure com
missions for the officers thus elected, the approA'al of
General Jackson Avas necessary.
To attribute to this great man a single fault, to cast a
solitary reflection upou his reputation, or to say that
everything he did Avas not just and right, may be, per
haps, to bring ui^on my own head the imputation of folly
or of malice, — but I ain too well convinced in my own
raind of the deep rcA'crence and respect in Avhich I hold
the memory of Stonewall Jackson, and the high admira
tion I entertain for his Avonderful military genius, to he
afraid to say that I think on this occasion that he
showed a want of knoAvlcdgc of human nature and a
proper appreciation of couspicuous merit ; and I believe
that he himself afterwards regretted his action in this
matter. Every officer selected by the brigade was re-

COLONEL MARSHALL. 289
fused his confirmation, ,and Capt. Marshall was one
among the few who Avas not restored to his original
rank ; he was made, by General Jackson, Major of the
Seventh Regiment of Cavalry. Here again was an oc
casion upon which Major Marshall showed the exalted
character of his patriotism. Military etiquette and
wounded vanity would naturally have prompted hira
not to accept the subordinate position thus assigned
hira ; he, however^accepted it promptly, and in doing so
reraarked to the writer of this sketch, that he did not
hesitate, because he had gone into the war not for place
or power, but in obedience to the call of a stern, unre
lenting sense of duty, and his place should ahvays be
where he could do most for the good of the cause in
Avhich he Avas engaged.
The situation about this time becarae one of deep inter
est, and yet Avas filled with an aspect of cheerfulness for
the struggling Confederacy. The gloom which shrouded
the political heavens in the early part of the Spring of
1862, had been lifted from the horizon by the ceaseless
activity and heavy blows of Stonewall Jackson. Banks
had hurried from Strasburg, stopping long enough to get
a drubbing at Winchester, and then hastened on across the
Potomac, with the murderous " foot-cavalry " at his heels.
Fremont and Shields, Avhipped in their turn at Cross-
Keys and Port Republic, had retired to consider and
recruit behind the Cedar Creek. The Young Napoleon,
baffled in his designs against Richraond, had " crawfished
it" back to Harrison's Landing, and lay there a prey to
mosquitoes and fever, and wondering at the marvellous
ubiquity of Jackson. The pride of the North, insulted
and enraged by these rapid disasters, was about to re
ceive a still further fall in the fate of the bombastic
Pope. Placed in command of the new army organized
and equipped at Washington, and noAV pushed out upon
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad towards Gordons
ville, he informed the world that the enemy should never
know the color of his coat-tail, that " defeat and disaster
lurked in the rear," — a statement afterwards verified to
Geii. Pope the night Stuart Avoke up his rear at Catlett's

290 COLONEL MARSHALL.
Station ; and his " head-quarters would be in the saddle,"
— a position rendered necessary soon after by his OAvn
rapid retreats and the onward march of Jackson.
Such was the situation of affairs when the army of
Lee, concentrating between Gordonsville and Orange
Court-House, required an increa-se of his cavalry force,
and Gen. Robertson was sumraoned with his brigade to
place himself under the command of Stuart.
The little village of Orange Court-House was now on
neutral ground betAveen the outposts of the contending
armies, and thus it became the scene of frequent skir
mishes and encounters between the Opposing forces of
cavalry. In one of these, in the early part of August, 1862,
the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, under the
command of Col. Jones, who was afterwards killed at the
battle of NeAV Hope, was engaged. The enemy was met
beyond, or north, of the village, and Major Marshall,
with that portion of the Seventh which Avas in ad\'ance,
retired sloAvly before them ; Col. Jones was not far behind
with the reraainder of the command. In the village,
the squadrons, under the leadership of Ma,] or Marshall,
turned to charge the advancing force of the enemy, in
order to hold them in check until Col. Jones could come
up. The enemy, however, had sent forward a flanking
party, and as Major Marshall charged up the street,
they came in on a cross street, thus threatening to cut
him off". The squadrons had time to see this, and de
sisting from the charge, to fall back ; but Major Marshall
with a few troopers had dashed ahead of the line, and
when very near the eneray, turned to find theraselves
deserted and nearly cut oK It then became a question
how to get out of the trap ; the only chance being,
to get back to the comraand before the fianking party
of the eneray got in by the cross street. In this, most
of the troopers succeeded ; but Major Marshall, heing
indifferently mounted and in advance of the rest before
he turned, and, moreover, his pistols being empty, now
became the object of pursuit for several ardent Yankee
troopers. As rapidly as possible he had faced about,
and like the king of Spain was charging back again

COLONEL MARSHALL. 291
with the blue-coats at his heels. Major Marshall, in
relating this incident, said, that after a while, as he found
that all the shots missed him, he turned to see what his
chances for escape Avere, and as he did so, he saw the
fiash of a sabre close to him ; instinctively he threw up
his OAvn sabre to Avard off the blow, and the next thing
he kneAV he was standing somewhat faint, with the
blood trickling doAvn his face, and a prisoner in the
hands of the Yankees. He afterAvards learned that Col.
Jones, seeing hira so closely pursued, had himself dashed
up to his assistance in time to shoot the Yankee trooper
who was about to kill Major Marshall as he lay sense
less on the ground. His horse escaped capture, and gal
loped into the Confederate lines, and lived afterAvards to
carry his master through several battles, and at last to
fall under him in a cavalry fight on the Rappahannock.
Major Marshall found that his wound Avas a keen cut
through the cap and scalp, and a slight fracture of the
skull, but it healed by the first intention, and gave him
very little trouble afterwards. He was carried back to
the rear of Pope's array, confined for a short time at
Culpepper Court-House, and from thence carried to the
old Capitol Prison at Washington. His life here was the
ordinary dull routine of a prisoner, receiving from the
hands of friends, as far as it was allowed, many kindnesses,
and from the hands of his jailers the usual indignities and
privations. Happily his imprisonment was of short dura
tion, and in the latter part of the month of Septeraber
he was exchanged and returned to Winchester. After
several days of rest spent happily here with his children,
in the house of his father-in-law, the charm of whose
fireside he helped so much to increase, he reported for
duty to his coramand, then operating in the northwest
part of Frederick County, Va. He was assigned for a
time to the command of a battalion then without a field-
officer ; but in a few Aveeks he returned to his regiment.
During his absence in prison. Gen. Robertson had been
reraoved from command of his brigade, and Col. Jones,
of the Seventh Cavalry, promoted to be brigadier-general,
and placed in his stead. Lieut.-Col. Dulany was thus

292 COLONEL MAR SHALL.
by succession made colonel ; and Major Marshall he-
came lieutenant-colonel of tho Seventh CaA'alry.
About this time the signal-fiags telegraphed to Gen.
Lee, encaraped near Winchester, the crossing of large
bodies of the eneray near Leesburg, and the advance of
a coluran toAvards Fairfax Court-House. A strong force
Avas also in his immediate front towards Shepherdstown.
It became necessary, then, for Gen. Lee to throw him
self into some position that would place hira between
the enemy and the object of their attack — the City of
Richmond. To give hiraself time to get his entire army, somewhat
shattered by the campaign into Maryland, the capture
of Harper's Ferry, and the battle of Sharpsburg, into
proper organization, and to get off from Winchester all
the sick and wounded that could be safely moved. Gen.
Lee dispatched the main body of his cavalry under
Stuart across the Blue Ridge to hold the enemy in
check, moving himself with a large portion of the in
fantry and artillery by a line at first at right angles
and then parallel with that of the enemy to the neigh
borhood of Fredericksburg, leaving Jackson in the Val
ley with his corps to work upon the feelings and weak
points of the enemy, and by a series of eccentric marches
and countermarches to put every man's head in his army,
except his own, in a whirl, and to puzzle the Yankees
so, that, before they were willing to push out boldly from
Washington, fearing that Jackson would push in, Lee
had had time to occupy the gaps of the Mountain, to
remove his stores, sick and wounded from Winchester,
and to place his army in the strategic point airaed at ;
and Jackson, by rapid marches, to join his corps to the
main army on the banks of the broad Rappahannock.
The force left for the defence of the Valley at Win
chester, was Gen. Jones's brigade of cavalry, two bat
teries of artillery, and the 1st Regiment of Maryland In
fantry. Until a short time before Christmas, Gen.
Jones remained quietly in possession of Winchester ; hut
about the 22d of December, 1862, was corapelled to
evacuate and fall hack beyond Strasburg, a village

COLONEL MARSHALL. 293
, eighteen miles south, to avoid being cut off by the col
umn of Gen. Milroy, then advancing from Moorefield in
Hardy County, West Virginia. Milroy, after striking
the great Valley turnpike at Strasburg, fell back upon
Winchester, and there took up winter-quarters, and
remained despot of that afflicted ¦ city until the fol
lowing June. After following the Federal forces down
to Winchester, Gen. Jones returned with his command
to the Upper Valley, and pitched his tents. The winter
was occupied, with the exception of occasional scouts
and skirmishes with Yankee raiding parties, in drilling
and perfecting the organization and equipment of the
command. The camp however was frequently removed
from place to place, as the scarcity of forage required.
It vvas the privilege of the writer of this Memoir, during
the winter of 1862-63, when the war-storm seemed to
have lulled for a little while, to he the frequent guest
at the tent and mess to which Lt.-Colonel Marshall
belonged. The large Sibley tent, with its piping little
stove, the lid of the camp-chest turned back to receive
the smoking beef and soda biscuit, the hot coffee or
chocolate, and the bandy-legged camp-stool, are all inti
raately associated with the recollections of those winter
encampments. Around that camp-fire were asserabled
the elegance and refinement, the social humor and wit,
and the genial fiow of spirits that was AVont in former
days to grace the parlor and the festive board. Jest
and mirth were always present, but never rudeness and
vulgarity ; and the rare gentle and Christian infiuence
of Lt.-Colonel Marshall seemed to infuse itself into all
Avho were associated with him.
The days when the Aveather permitted, except during
the time he was on court-martial, yvere spent by Col.
Marshall in drilling with his regiment either on foot or
horseback, and the night frequently in going over with
the regiraental officers portions of the cavalry tactics
under the instruction of that gentleman and soldier. Col.
R. H. Dulany. During all this time, and amid the
daily occupations of camp-life, there was one duty
which seemed ever paramount : the active zealous love
25*

294 COLONEL MARSHALL.
of his religion made him always find time to devote to
reading and private meditation ; and it was Col. Mar
shall's habit every morning, in all weathers, to retire to
some spot where the rude, coarse jests and laughter of
the men would not reach his ears, " to commune in his
own heart and be still." The chaplain of the regiment,
himself an active, useful man, found him always a bene
ficial if not a necessary adjunct in his labors ; and the
fact that he was as ready to lead a prayer-meeting to
night as to lead a regiment in a charge to-morrow, gave
him that infiuence over the men that one brave man
always exerts over another.
At the opening of the spring of 1863, the Federal
Army of the Potomac, having throAvn overboard its late
commander, Burnside, prepared to test the prowess of
fighting Joe Hooker on nearly the same ground as
that of the disaster of the 18th of Deceraber previous.
It was an object with Gen. Lee to weaken, as far as
possible, the masses that were thus to be poured upon
him from across the Rappahannock. The various posts
and garrisons, which for the protection of the " loyal peo
ple" of West Virginia it yvas uecessary to establish along
the eastern border of that State, were merely nominal in
their size, relying upon the inaccessibility of that moun
tainous region to enable a fcAV men to hold it against
great odds. As a raeans then of weakening Hooker's
army, it was determined to make them strengthen these
western garrisons. For this end mainly, but also for
the purpose of gathering up some of the cattle that so
abounded in that country. Gen. Jones was ordered with
his cavalry brigade and infantry regiment to extemporize
a raid into West Virginia. Upon this expedition then,
Gen. Jones set out in the month of March, 1863, with
his brigade of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and the 1st
Regiment of Maryland Infantry. When they reached
the Potoraac River, it was fouud irapracticable, on ac
count of the high Avater, for the infantry to proceed fur
ther, so they returned to camp uear Harrisonburg, and
with the debris of the cavalry commonly called Com
pany Q, under command of Col. O. R. Funsten, they con-

COLONEL MARSHALL. 295
stituted the guard for the Valley proper. Plunging their
horses into the cold, deep waters of the South Branch of
the Potomac, the cavalry landed, with but few accidents,
on the opposite bank, and felt theraselves fully launched
upon a raid into West Virgiuia, glad of action after the
tediura of long confinement in yvinter-quarters, but not
particularly gratified that their dibut should take place
in the country of bushwhacking " swamp dragoons,"
(the name by which the " loyal " of that section were
known,) or that their early spring bivouacs should be
raade in the piercing air of the AUeghanies.
The first appearance of an enemy proper, that is, one
embossed in blue, was near a block-house, or rather a
fortified log church in Michael's Gap, beyond Moorefield,
in Hardy County. The advance of the coraraand was
the 7th Regiment under Col. Dulany, and in front of
this regiment rode several scouts under the charge of
Clarence Whiting, a gallant soldier and sergeant-major
of the 7th. These scouts rapidly drove in the videttes
and pickets of the Federal comraand, and approached
near enough to find the block-house pierced and glittering
with protruding rifles ; the occupants, however, evidently
confused and surprised, and not knowing exactly what
to expect next. Returning to the regiment, now uot far
behind, the scouts reported the result of their hasty ob
servation, and a charge was immediately ordered. A
question of etiquette here arose betAveen Col. Dulany
and Lieut.-Col. Marshall, as to Avhich of them should
lead the charge ; Col. Marshall contending that in the
fight he had the right to the place that the tactics as
signed him on parade, at the head of the column, and
that Col. Dulany should command from the centre.
After some demur on the part of this officer, Avhose
bravery would not have been questioned even if he had
preferred comraanding the Avagon-train, Col. Marshall
Avas allowed to take the lead. Then there was a fiash
ing and clattering of sabres, the frozen ground torn up
by hundreds of horses' feet, and with a yell the regiment
charged up the narrow lane to the frowning block-house.
The object of the charge seeraed not an absolute expec-

296 COLONEL MARSHALL.
tation of taking the house at once, hut simply to eff'ect
vvhat they did afterwards, that was, to surround the
place and compel a surrender. The garrison, unpre
pared for this sudden assault, allowed the front of the
regiment to pass Avithout firing, but as the centre of it
got opposite the port-holes, they poured in a murderous
volley. Just here, close to the guns. Col. Dulany happened
to be, and the Federal fire brought down both horse and
rider. The Colonel lay near his dying horse, within a
few yards of the house, Avhile the larger portion of the
regiment passed on, but some were driven hack to the
main command then approaching. Gen. Jones ordered
the cavalry to be dismounted, and charging from all
sides with a rapid fire, they soon beat in the doors, and
compelled a surrender of the whole party. Col. Du-
lany's wound proved to be, one in the arra, of a serious
and painful nature. Rescued by the last charge from the
poAver though not the possession of the enemy, he re
ceived immediate medical attention, but being wholly
unfit for further field-service at the time, he was carried
back to the Valley, and Lieut.-Col. Marshall Avas left in
command of the regiment. Col. Marshall afterwards,
in reply to the comment of some one upon his insisting
upon being at the head of the column, laughingly re
plied, that it looked as if he Avished to leave the danger
ous place to Col. Dulany, as such it had turned out
to be.
From Michael's Gap, Gen. Jones pursued his course
westward, and made his great raid into West Virginia,
a land both loyal and oily. All the difficulties incident
to a march through an enemy's country he had to en
counter, yet on the Avhole trip he fully sustained his
Avell-earned reputation for skill aud bravery. I propose
siraply to giA'e a synopsis of the raoveraents of the com
mand, until their circuit brought them back into the
valley uear Staunton ; only remarking that the 7th
Regiment, now under the command of Lieut.-Col. Mar
shall, Avas always assigned an active part in every un
dertaking. The command moved on to MorgantOAvn, in
Monongalia County, sending off detachments of the tth

COLONEL MARSHALL. 297
and llth regiraents to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad at- Kingswood and Altamont. They next
approached Fairmont, where there was a garrison of five
or six hundred Federal infantry, with a battery of ar
tillery raounted on a gondola car on the railroad.
Here tAvo suspension Avire bridges over the river Avere
destroyed. Gen. Jones then set himself to Avork to
capture the garrison, Avhich Avas effected by driving the
Avhole of them into the Avater. Paroling the prisoners,
and leaving them to take care of themselves, the march
Avas turned toAvards Clarksburg, Avith a view of taking
that place. Arriving at Bridgeport, five miles east of
the town. Gen. Jones learned that Gen. Mulligan, with
a heavy infantry force, was lying in line of battle, a fcAV
railes further on. So, thinking in this case that discretion
would be the better part of valor, he turned his course
through Philippi, and from thence to Weston, the
county-seat of Lewis County. .
At this place he found aAvaiting hira Gen. Imboden
and his command. Gen. Jones either not liking to hunt
in couples, or, as some one suggested, not being particu
larly fond of partisan troops generally, he, in the words
of a facetious raeraber of his brigade, "presented to
Gen. Imboden the unneighborly alternative that Abra
ham did to Lot," and for himself struck a northwest
course to West Union, in Doddridge County, and from
thence down into Ritchie County, where the command,
in common parlance, practically " struck oil " without
the trouble of boring — that is, the ground. How this pro
cess may have been gone through with upon the feelings
of the citizens, is another question. Immense quantities
of this greasy substance (the staple product of West
Virginia) lay exposed in tanks, flat-boats, and barrels ;
sorae said to the number of two hundred thousand bar
rels. To this the cavalry unceremoniously set fire,
thinking, probably, that it threw improper light upon
the enemy ; and the red, glaring, quivering fiames fioated
upon the waters and licked the very heavens.
Leaving behind this scene of necessary destruction,
the march was turned southward, through Gilnor,

298 COLO NEL MA R SHA L L .
Braxton, Webster, Calhoun, and Pocahontas counties ;
and without further special incident, the command
reached again the borders of civilization, and went into
camp near Harrisonburg, after a tedious but successful
raid of thirty-one days. On the whole of this trip, from
the time of Col. Dulany's receiving his wound. Col.
Marshall was in comraand of the regiment, and though
to fill the place ofthe forraer required no ordinary ability,
there never Avas a' coraplaint that it was not well filled.
On an expedition like this, into a country not yet touched
by war, which in despite of its natural disadA'antages
was yet at that time far better filled with all that a
hungry or ill-clad raan needs, than the exhausted Val
ley they had left behind, it is not to be wondered at that
there were instances where men, in spite of discipline,
did gratify their pressing wants at the sacrifice of good
order, and where for humanity's sake discipline itself
was soraewhat relaxed. The Federal people and papers,
magnifying these exceptions into the rule, and making
no alloAvances, denounced this raid as a " robbers' pro
gress," and the command as a band of pillagers; and
though, had they raade that whole western couutry one
sheet of fiame as lurid as that which rose from the burn
ing oil on the Kanawha, it would now fade and be un
seen in the light of the anguish that Sheridan spread
from mountain to mountain in the broad Valley of the
Shenandoah. To show how carefully Col. Marshall kept
hiraself aloof from even the imputation of these few
instances of plundering, and how, like Csesar's Avife, he
was not only pure but above suspicion, he never directly
or indirectly appropriated to hiraself a single article.
A friend, whom he happened to meet in that western
country, kindly considerate of his wants, presented him
Avith a pair of socks ; the gift was joyfully accepted, and
imraediately pulling oif his boots, he exposed the fact
that all that was left of such an article were the legs of
a former pair. Men Avould not have blamed him in
the midst of abundance, for supplying himself with what
was so much needed ; but this incident illustrates both
his forgetfulness of self and his conscientious re.spect for

COLONEL MARSHALL. 299
the rights of property. Another friend, in the Quarter
master's department, brought to Col. Marshall a fine
felt hat of which he stood much in need, remarking, as
he presented it, that it carae from some of the eneray's
stores appropriated by Gen. Jones's order. The hat was
also gratefully accepted, but he made his quartermaster
credit the government from his pay with its appraised
value. These incidents, small and unimportant in them
selves, are yet the fioating corks, showing Avhere flow the
guiding principles of a just and upright man.
In the month of April, 1863, the Federal army, under
" fighting Joe Hooker," lay along the eastern bank of
the Rappahannock, occupying nearly the same ground
that was held hy Burnside before his disastrous attempt
of the December previous. Defiantly, on the opposite
side of the river, was encamped the army of Lee.
Hooker, goaded on by public opinion of the North
anxious to Avipe out, under a new leader, the stains upon
their military reputation accumulated ever since the
beginning of the war, was held in check by the yet
undried spring mud ; and not very unwillingly too, we
are led to suppose, since he must have felt, as he after
Avards certainly experienced in coraraon Avith his predeces
sors, that the heads of Federal Generals sat on uncertain
necks. The cavalry of the Northern army, from the fact
that it could be of little use with the main body of
troops, and also for the purposes of diversions and raids,
was placed upon the banks of the upper Rappahannock.
Opposite them, occupying the same relative position that
Lee's army did to Hooker, lay the ever ready troopers
of Stuart. And here Gen. Jones's brigade, scarcely rested
from its recent raid, was suramoned. The events that
followed noAV are known to every reader, and forra in
the tale of the historian the gilded page trimmed Avith
black in the life of the young Confederacy. The cross
ing of Hooker, swelling Avith pride, the pouring out of
his multitudinous legions like black ants from their sand
hill, the desperate battle and overwhelraing victory for
the Confederates that folloAved, and the banner of the
South floated to the breeze raore proudly than ever. But

300 COLONEL MARSHALL.
the rejoicings of the people and the huzzas of victory
were hushed into silence when, amid the mournful wav-
ings of black pluraes and the steady tramp of saddened
men, they bore Stonewall Jackson's body to the grave.
The wounds that took his life opened a vein from the
heart of the Confederacy which flowed now hy drops
and now in ebbing streams, until, at Apporaattox Court-
House, the last tragic scene was enacted. Saved from
the trouble to come, the sun of his life setting amid the
gold-tipt clouds of victory, and safe forever from humil
iation and shackles, "he passed over the river," and
now " rests under the shade of the trees."
The movements of the cavalry and the part they took
were such as are generally their functions in all great
battles : watching the fianks, guarding the trains, and
shifting their positions from point to point as the emer
gency required. Their great leader, Stuart, after Jack
son was Avounded, was called upon to take his place ; and
acquainted with his plans, he carried thera out and ac
coraplished successfully the great victory Jackson had
begun. Like a Avearied raan after a long day's journey,
the army after this great battle and victory lay upon the
banks of the Rappahannock to rest and reorganize.
The cavalry encaraped near Brandy Station was also
engaged in completing and perfecting its drill and
equipment, and at the sarae time indulging the harm
less military conceit of its great coraraander Stuart, in
grand parades and reviews. On the 9th of June, the
enemy encamped on the opposite side of the river dashed
across and vigorously attacked the cavalry pickets. The
attack was a complete surprise, but the pickets standing
their ground well, gave the brigade of Gen. Jones, Avhich
was encamped nearest the scene of action, time to get
up ; and the Gth Regiment on the right, and the 7th under
Col. Marshall on the left, charged gallantly up the road,
giving to thc enemy check enough to enable the Avhole
cavalry and artillery force to get properly into position.
The 6tli and 7tli regiments Avere then teraporarily with
drawn and the battle Avas begun in earnest. From day
light until evening the thunder of artillery, the rattle

COLONEL MARSHALL. 301
of sraall arras, and the crash of contending bodies of
cavalry, but served by their hideous din to drown the
cries of the AVOunded aud the moans of the dying. It
was a glorious victory. The enemy, driven from every
position, and losing a battery of three guns, fied at last
to the hank of the river whence they came. What
boots it if raany gallant felloAvs perished ; if hearts ache
even now frora wounds received that day ; if week after
week, and month after month, in hundreds of tortured
bodies, the fiickering lamp burned painfully and at last
extinguished hope and life. Such things must needs be ;
" but woe unto him by whom the ofi'ence cometh." The
6th and 7th regiments, opening the fight and withdraAvn
from their first position, Avere soon ordered in again and
did much araid the ups and doAvns of that day to turn
the scale at last in favor of the Confederates.
Rested, equipped, and fully organized, the grand army
of Lee noAV turned its bristling front toAvards the North,
to try again to carry the war into Africa. A portion of
the army under Gen. Ewell raoved in a northeasterly
direction towards Winchester, while the rest reraained
still in the neighborhood of the Rappahannock until
Hooker's army, horse, foot, and dragoons, had posted
back towards Washington. Gen. Ewell, Avith the valu
able assistance of General Jubal A. Early, drove Mil
roy 'from his fortifications, and capturing nearly the
whole of his coraraand, released the town of Winchester
frora the embrace of its loving protector. The cavalry,
raoving in advance of the rest of the array, passed
through Fauquier into Loudon County. On the 21st
of June, Gen. Jones's brigade, encaraped for a short tirae
at Union, received orders to join Gen. Stuart at Upper
ville, in Fauquier County. Towards this place Gen.
Stuart Avas being driven, after having fought some time
at the village of Middleburg. Gen. Jones started ira
mediately to carry out his orders ; but before he could
reach Upperville, Gen. Stuart had been driven through,
and the enemy Avas thus placed between the tAvo com
mands. At this point he was joined by Col. Charabliss,
commanding Gen. W. H. F. Lee's brigade, and the
26

302 COLO NE L MA R S HA L L.
Avhole force attempted to get through to join Stuart. In
this attempt he Avas opposed by largely superior numbers
of the enemy, and got rather the worst of it. He was
enabled, however, to effect a junction Avith the main body
at Paris, after inflicting more loss upon the enemy than
he himself received. From Paris, Gen. Jones's brigade
proceeded by Avay of Snickersville and Berryville to Wil
liarasport, and frora there in the rear of Lee's army into
Pennsylvania. The battle of Gettysburg Avas the fruit
of these raanoeuvres, and the 4th of July upon which it
took place dates the Avane of the star of the Confederacy.
A splendid fight and alraost a victory, it Avas yet in its
effects a disastrous event for the Southern cause, and all
the raore so because at the sarae time came the demor
alizing consequences of the surrender of Vicksburg. On
the morning of the 3d of July, Gen. Jones was ordered
to move with his brigade towards the town of Fairfield.
Within two miles of this place the 6th U. S. Regular
Cavalry was encountered and at once charged by the 7th
Regiment under Col. Marshall. This charge, though
gallantly made, was ineff'ectual to dislodge the Yankees
from their position. Col. Marshall escaped himself un
hurt, but left close to the enemy's line the horse that
had long gallantly borne him. The 7th Regiment Avas
followed by the 6th, and this time they Avere successful,
and the Federal regulars were driven, leaving behind
two hundred and ten killed, wounded, and prisoners.
After the fight at Fairfield, the 7th Regiment was en
gaged Avith the remainder of the brigade in protecting
the retreating wagon-train of Gen. Lee's army ; and skir
mishing and fighting constantly, they at last arrived
safely on the Virginia side of the Potomac.
Here the Confederate Army took uj) nearly the same
position occupied by it after the battle of Sharpsburg,
the cavalry picketing the front aud protecting the
fianks. Col. Marshall was thus enabled, for the first
time in a year, to spend a day or two Avith his family,
now in Winchester ; but the hours that he would have
passed thus so pleasantly Avere shortened by his anxiety
lest he should be absent frora his post Avhen needed.

COLO NE L MARS HA L L. 303
To the Cause he had surrendered all that he hoped for
in life, and even, if it should be needed, life itself, so
that all other considerations but his field and carap
duties, became secondary and of minor importance.
Again, as in the Fall before, Gen. Lee's army sAVung
round from the Valley into Eastern Virginia, and con
centrated near the village of Orange Court House, be
tween the enemy and the centre of their hopes, the city
of Richmond. The brigade of Gen. Jones Avas the last
to leave the Valley ; and being obliged by the presence
of the enemy to make a detour by Ncav Market and
Sperryville, it accorapanied Gen. Jubal Early's division
of infantry to Culpeper Court-House. Very soon after
this. Gen. Jones was arrested upon charges preferred
against hira by Gen. Stuart, and there ensued betAveen
these two excellent cavalry officers a correspondence at
once piquant and very characteristic of Gen. Jones ; —
his wishes seemed to be soraewhat like those of Diogenes,
and he only asked that his place of exile might be near
some cobbler-shop, that (as he expressed it in sarcasm
meant for his superior officer) he might raend his boots,
worn out not by dancing, but in the service of his
country. Col. O. R. Funsten succeeded for the tirae to
the coraraand of the brigade, and it Avas under his lead
ership they fought about this tirae the battle of Jack's
Shop. To enter into minute details of every fight,
would be to extend this sketch far beyond the limits
assigned for- it ; or even to preserve accurately dates
and corresponding events, would be to encroach upon
the prerogative of the historian ; as it has been my pur
pose throughout, simply to illustrate the character of
Col. Marshall, — simply to expose the good that was in
hira, for the good of those who did uot know hira, and
not to adorn or to exaggerate purity of a life Avhich Avas
raore simple, and more pure in its truth, than I could
paint in fiction. I shall, as I have done, only use such
points and incidents as are absolutely necessary for my
purpose. If the reader thinks I have been partial, I
refer hira to any one who kncAV intimately the subject
of this sketch ; and if these intimate friends think that

304 COLONEL MARSHALL.
their oavu feelings have not here been sufficiently ex
pressed, I can only say, that the " spirit was Avilling."
A sincere affection and warm admiration prompt me ;
hut if I fail to express what I think, it is because my
tongue is not sufficiently " the pen of a ready writer."
The battle of Jack's Shop gave to Col. Marshall an
opportunity of exhibiting the cool courage and daring
that he possessed to so great a degree, and called forth
from the journals of the day encomiums so richly
deserved. The writer of this sketch, in writing to Col.
Marshall, called his attention to a fiattering piece
which had appeared in the " Richmond Enquirer ; " his
reply is, what his modesty always prompted, the be-
stoAval upon others, of praise due himself He wrote :
"You are pleased to allude to the flattering notice of me
in a late ' Enquirer ; ' it was shown to me by Lieut. Wells,
Company E. Upon reading it, I found that it was con
ceived in error, and bestows upon rae thunder robbed
from Lieut.-Col. T. B. Massie, whom you know, I believe.
The part acted by our regiment in that tight, was some
what sirailar, but not so successful. While fighting
Buford in front, Kilpatrick got in our rear, and had nearly
succeeded in cutting off our way of retreat to the Rapi
dan. Col. Funsten (coraraanding our brigade) was
ordered to the rear, to check this movement of the en
emy. He succeeded iu reaching a commanding point
Avith the artillery, just as Kilpatrick seized the road in
our rear. As Ave reached the vicinity of this point, a
large column of ours in front of our Regiment (or rather
about two squadrons of the 7th) seemed to break to the
right and left in a good deal of confusion. The ene
my's sharpshooters firing over the hill, some one on
the crest of the hill (I think it was Capt. Martin, our
Adjutant-General) called to me (by name) to charge.
Thinking the enemy (who Avere hidden by the hill in
front) Avere about to charge our artillery in order to take
it, Ave started at a round pace, passed the crest of the hill,
and then had to go a considerable distance on the other
side before reaching the foe, Avho Avere dismounted in a
heavy piece of timber, and were peppering us as we

COLONEL MARSHALL. 305
came down the pike. When nearly up to them, I found
the column very much strung out and only a few men
near me. Seeing it would prove a failure, I turned by
the left into a thick piece of pines, in order to gather up
and rally the men. While rallying them. Gen. Stuart
rode up and urged another charge, Avhich being led off
by Capt. Magruder, who Avas near him, resulted in the
immediate death of that gallant young officer. I was
ahout a hundred yards from hira Avhen he received his
fatal wound. We succeeded in bringing off his body.
The llth and 12th folloAved in charges, which proved
successful. I think, however, we are entitled to the ,
credit of having broken the ice for them. I have given
you a dish of military matters more than I should have
done except for the mistake before alluded to." This
modest stateraent does not, I think, prove that no credit
Avas due to Lt.-Colonel Marshall, hoAvever much Col.
Massie may have deserved.
After this fight at Jack's Shop, the cavalry remained
Avith the army of Gen. Lee, picketing, skirmishing, and
doing the usual outpost duty, Avhen the army raoved
towards Manassas, pushing back Gen. Meade, the last
" cock of the Federal walk." The brigade, noAV of Gen.
Rosser, accompanied it, and upon its return and after
the hattie of Mine Run, was ordered to the vicinity of
Fredericksburg. The great Valley of the Shenandoah
was now occupied exclusively by neither party. The
Federal troops had their headquarters at Martinsburg
in the northern end of the Valley ; and the Confederates
under Gen. Early, and a small force of infantry and
detached companies of cavalry and partisans, were en
camped about sixty miles south. The intermediate space
was neutral ground — neutral in a very peculiar sense of
the word — that is, open to either party. The Confeder
ates from time to time Avould send down their forage
trains, to gather up the supplies which seeraed to crop
out of this rich country even in the midst of Avar and
devastation. To attack these trains, and for the gratifi
cation (as was facetiously said) of an irapertinent curi
osity to find out what the " Rebels " were after up the
26*

306 COLONEL MARSHALL.
Valley, the Federal cavalry frequently made raids up
through the unoccupied territory. These raids were not
only annoying to the quiet of winter-quarters, but they
were terribly destructive to the afflicted inhabitants
araong whom the raiders chanced to encarap for the
night. The appeals of these people for relief, and the
encroaching character of the raiders, who now began to
extend their excursions alarraingly near to the Central
Railroad, moved the Government to send more troops
into the Valley. Cavalry, of course, was the needed
arm, and the supplies of forage in that section held
out inducements also for recruiting the strength of their
worn-out horses. A glance at the map Avill show how
the great Valley lies embraced on either side hy the
Blue Ridge and North Mountains. Down through its
centre to the Potoraac at its northern end Avind the yel
low waters of the Shenandoah. About eighteen miles
south of Winchester, at alraost equal distance from the
Blue Ridge and the North Mountain, arise suddenly
the huge sides of the Massanutton, and fifty miles south
as suddenly end again. A raiding party, leaving Martins
burg twenty-two miles north of Winchester, and direct
ing its course south, up the Valley (for the Avaters run
north), must needs leave a large extent of territory un
protected betAveen itself and its base, and either flank
continually exposed. The quick movements of a cavalry
force of course rendered unnecessary the application of
these rules of military science and tactics Avithout
which a large army, draAving its supplies from its rear,
could not have operated. But it is an old saying, " to
fight the devil with fire ; " and so Geu. Rosser, noAV ap
proaching from Fredericksburg, determined to deal with
the Federal raiding parties, hoping, by advancing rapidly
and unannounced, to place himself between the enemy
and their base, betAveen the musk-rat and his watery
hole, but unfortunately iu this case the Avater got be
tween hira and the rat.
Col. Boyd, " head centre" of these spoiling excursions,
had marched fearlessly up towards the village of Wood
stock, while Gen. Rosser was moving rapidly through

COLONEL MARSHALL. 307
Loudon County, east of the ridge towards Winchester,
hoping to cross the Shenandoah at Castleman's Ferry
near Berryville, and thus to strike the main turnjaike,
and bag a good supply of game. Upon reaching the
river, hoAvever, he found that unfriendly floods had so
swollen its usually shallow current, that it would be
impossible even to swira their horses across. He could
thus only vieAV the opposite bank as a proraised land
not to be reached, and philosophizing that the " best-laid
plans of raice and raen gang aft agee," to turn his
horses' heads to the south, and seek some ford higher
up the river. Col. Boyd becoming aware of the danger
he had barely escaped, and probably having secured a
sufficient number of horses to suit his private taste and
present Avishes, retired to the vicinity of Martinsburg, to
brag over his skill in making the river rise.
Gen. Rosser at length crossed into the Valley proper,
and went into camp near New Market. It was while
at this camp, some tirae during the month of January,
1864, that Lt.-Colonel Marshall obtained a furlough,
and perraission to visit " Springdale," in Frederick
County, the horae of his mother-in-law and of his chil
dren, now in neutral ground. His presence, of course,
had to be concealed, as the Federal cavalry were in the
habit every few days, and entirely unannounced. Of
passing along the road in front of the house, and fre
quently of forcing themselves in to steal and to insult.
Several days had passed since Col. Marshall's arrival
at Springdale, and he had been left so undisturbed in
the quiet enjoyment of the society of his faraily, that he
began to hope the Yankees had suddenly become very
accommodating, and intended to let him stay out the
length of his furlough without scaring him off. One
night, however, about eleven o'clock, lights had been
left burning in the front room for some members of the
family, Avho had gone over to a neighbor ; and a small
Federal raiding party passing along the road, attracted
by what they supposed might be a scene of Rebel festiv
ity, sent a small detachment into the yard, and they
unceremoniously entered the house by two or three doors

308 COLONEL MARSHALL.
at the sarae time. Fortunately Col. Marshall was up
stairs, and had retired ; had he remained in the parlor
five minutes later, he would have inevitably been a
prisoner, as his full lieutenant-colonel's uniforra Avould
have left no roora for mistaking his identity. The Yan
kees who entered the house were dressed in Confederate
gray — a means they took to elicit from the warm
hearted people of the lower Valley the aid and informa
tion they were always ready to aff'ord all who wore the
Southern colors. Finding no one on the first fioor, they
iramediately started up the stairs, but Avere met there by
some of the female raembers of the family, and delayed
on various pretences until Col. Marshall could pass
across the passage right hefore them, with his pistols in
his hand, into the room opposite, and from that into a
dressing-room, hefore the door of which a large ward
robe was placed, completely concealing to all who were
not well acquainted with the house the fact that there
Avas any room beyond. The Yankees, then insisting
upon a search, forced their way up the steps, and open
ing every room, were unable to discover anything but
unconscious sleeping children, and frightened females
who had had barely time enough to make a hasty toilet.
Their assertions that they were Confederates, looking
for their comraanding officer at home on furlough, came
very near drawing from a guileless old negro woman
the fact that her raaster was in the house ; hut theirs
being a mere random inquiry, was not sufficiently pressed
to follow up the advantage they would inevitably have
gained by a less hasty procedure. After the Yankees
had left, Col. Marshall was released from his hiding-
place; and fearing to be caught again in such close
quarters, he spent the rest of the night in the bushes.
At another time during his stay, he discoA'cred the
approach of the troops in time to hide within sight of
the house, and directed his movements by preconcerted
signals, and thus avoided capture. The peril of a visit
of this sort, upon the principle that " stolen waters are
always the sweetest," and that obstinate instinct of hu
man nature that makes us prize most that Avhich is

COLONEL MARSHALL. 809
hardest to obtain, made all the keener the enjoyment
that Col. Marshall experienced from association with
those he loved. His social feelings, so long ungratified,
could now for a time be fully enjoyed, and the soldier
relaxing entirely from the constraints of discipline,
could assurae again the gentle raien so much nearer
akin to his nature. A few weeks thus spent passed rap
idly away, and Col. Marshall returned again to carap,
and buckled on the harness of duty.
The Cavalry brigade passed the winter quietly, — ex
cept two successful raids into Hampshire and Hardy
counties, — recruiting horses and men; changing their
camp as the convenience or necessity of forage required ;
wintering Yor a while in the county of Rockingham, and
then in the raore abundant because less overtaxed coun
ties of Augusta and Rockbridge. The snoAVS and frosts
of Avinter, and the lull they brought to the raoveraents of
the contending armies, passed away, and the returning
spring was as well the harbinger of rejuvenated nature
as the sad herald of another bloody campaign.
Gen. Meade, the Federal commander, had not, like his
predecessors, been entirely removed, but was disposed of
in an equally contemptuous manner ; the bull-dog per
tinacity of Gen. Grant was brought into requisition, and
Gen. Meade slunk back, content to bark between the
feet of his superior officer. All that wealth and energy
could procure, or huraan art and skill devise or design,
was now used to strengthen the hands of the new Gen
eral ; and the people of the North, enduring as grinding
a despotism as Avas ever suffered, seemed willing to bear
it all, and to vote the last man and the last dollar in
order to crush out the great Rebellion. The gathering
hosts, like swarming bees, darkened the banks of the
Rappahannock, threatening again by sheer stress of
numbers to overwhelra the gallant little array of the
Confederacy. Again, history will inform my reader, how the battle
opened in the Wilderness ; how the astonished Grant
tried to cover his evident discomfiture by saying, " he
would fight it out on that line if it took him all sum-

310 COLONEL MARSHALL.
mer ;" and how, because his tens of thousands bit the
dust so fast, he was obliged to change his line long be
fore the sumraer waned. Folding his huge legions
around the sides of the Southern army, it was compelled
to draAV back to its raost defensible point, ever darting
as it went its man-destroying charges, and teaching
every foe that as it lessened in numbers it increased in
valor. Suramer passed, and fall and Avinter too, and the
spring of 1865 saw the death of a nation's hopes ; but
long before this happened, the subject of this sketch had
ceased to be, and the good and gallant man died before
his cause and truly for his cause.
As in the two springs previous, the opening of the
campaign summoned Rosser's brigade from the Val
ley, and it hastened to join the cavalry corps of Gen.
Stuart. During the winter. Col. Dulany, so long disabled, had
resumed command of the regiment, and Lieut.-Col.
Marshall, according to his rank, again took the sub
ordinate position. From this time the operations of the
cavalry Avere very active and of great importance, — so
great, indeed, that the doings of any individual sink into
insignificance. I shall, therefore, only giA'e a summary
of the raoveraents of the brigade, rerainding my reader,
as I did on a forraer occasion, that Lieut.-Col. ^Marshall
was never absent for a raoraent, and partook actively in
every raovement of his regiment. The first fight of im
portance seems to have been at Atlee Station, and after
wards, about the 8th of June, 1864, the brigade rendered .
efficient service in the great cavalry fight at Trevillians.
Here it was Col. Marshall's good fortune to escape un
hurt, though he lost his horse, — the fifth or sixth killed
under him during the Avar.
Under the leadership of the gallant Hampton, they
folloAved the retreat of the baffled Sheridan, and at
Nance's shop ' again engaged him most successfully,
routing him and pursuing until 10 o'clock at night.
Since the fight at Trevillians, Lieut.-Col. JMarshall had
been in comraand ofthe regiment. Col. Dulany succeed
ing to the command of the brigade Avhen Gen. Rosser

COLONEL MARSHALL. 311
was Avounded. After the battle of Nance's shop, the
cavalry crossed the James River, and joined the army
on the south side in the neighborhood of Petersburg.
Here, during the long summer of 1864, the cavalry
were stationed, not by any means remaining still, but
not operating far from the base of the main array. The
expedition after the Wilson raiders, and the cattle raid
into Grant's lines, were brilliant epochs in the story of
the summer's carapaign. Once the hearts of Rosser's
men were gladdened by a prospect of returning again to
the Valley ; and having marched in that direction as far
as Beavers' Dam, in Hanover County, they Avere disap
pointed by an order to return to the front at Petersburg.
During the month of August, in one of the raoveraents
of A. P. Hill's corj)s, Lieut.-Col. Marshall Avas in com
mand of the adA'ance squadron of cavalry, and Avhile
charging successfully the skirmishers of the euemy, re
ceived a ball in the fleshy part of his left shoulder. This
wound comjoletely disabled hira, though it Avas neither
dangerous nor very painful. When he received it, he
told the Avriter that he could not help being very glad;
for entirely unfit for service as he Avas, he noAV felt that
he could Avith a clear conscience accept a furlough, and
he again Avith his children and friends Avhora he longed
so much to see.
During the course of this sketch I have dwelt sorae
what upon the Christian character of Lieut.-Col. Thos.
Marshall, and it has been Avith the view to show that
such a life is by no raeans inconsistent Avith the duties
of a soldier, as it certainly is an ornaraent and strength
ening to any position to Avhich the changes and circum
stances of the Avorld may assign us. The reader will
pardon me, if I let Col. Marshall speak now a little for
himself, and show by his own words addressed to the
present writer, hoAV entirely prepared he was for that
last event Avhich was so soon to befall him. Dwelling
upon an affliction which had lately befallen the family
Avith which he was so nearly connected, he took occasion
to give vent to the thoughts which were continually up
permost in his own mind : —

312 COLONEL MARSHALL.
" Creatures as we are of sense, how hard is it for us to
realize the land of spirits. The mortal remains of those
so dearly beloved and highly prized are laid in the dark,
cold grave. Their spirits go to God who gave them, and
we are left alone ; no more for us does the bright eye
sparkle, or do we hear the tones of the much-loved voice,
or feel the pressure of the gentle hand ; no more does
the ringing laugh respond to the passing jest or the
lively ' bon mot ; ' — a Avide gulf, for the time at least,
separates Avarm, loving hearts. How blessed then to us,
poor worms of the dust, is our ' glorious religion' which
opens up for us in the future, if we only keep firm hold
of the hope set before us, a happy reunion with our
loved and lost in the Land of Spirits, and the resurrection
of the glorified bodies of all who believe in Jesus!
How sweet, indeed, should that name sound in the be
liever's ear ! And yet, how ^.^ do I in my own ex
perience have to lament i^r'COianess and deadness in
regard to these glorious, soul-sustaining truths! May
our blessed Lord and Master, who is the author and fin
isher of Faith, perfect his grace in us ! May He help
us by the ever present power of the Holy Ghost truly to
' set our aff'ections on things above ! ' May He indeed
' wean us from the present world ! ' Would that we
could at all tiraes say Avith. St. Paul, ' to depart and be
with Christ, which is far better!" — ...... "_ — it
might be sometimes selfish to wish to die, and this is
doubtless true. But yet^ hoAv many are there, even of
experienced Christians, who look upon death only with
something of horror, — who shrink from it, not real
izing that it is the 'passage to a heavenly Canaan;'
the blessed means of bringing us to 'our Heavenly
Father,' ' our divine Saviour,' ' our holy sacrifice,' and
the spirits of the 'just made perfect,' and the blessed
society of, and renewed intercourse Avith our dearest
earthly friends who have departed in the faith. I am
persuaded that these things ought hot so to be, that we are
falling short of duty, or not living up to our privileges
to continue in such a state. ... Oh, that our heavenly
Father, out of the abundant riches of his grace in Jesus,

COLONEL MARSHALL. 313
would enable me each day to live Avith a single eye to
His glory and the good of my fellows ! If we could only
be emptied of all selfishness; but how little do we, in
fact, for the good of others ! how entirely do we live to
ourselves and for ourselves ! "
Though he thus complained of his selfishness, if there
was one trait which was peculiar to him, it was the utter
absence of all thought of self-gratification, where the
wishes or wants of others were concerned. The letter,
from which I have so copiously extracted, is full of the
thoughts which ever crowded his mind, and the unaf
fected, manly piety of his daily life was the practical re
sult of the principles which actuated him. His affection
for his children sometimes partook alraost of the roman
tic ; and he ahvays dwelt Avith intensity upon their pres
ent improvement and future usefulness ; the greatest trou
ble connected with the possibility of his death Avas the
thought that he would not be able to watch over and train
them up. In the very letter from Avhich I have quoted
above, with what some would call " presentiment," and
some, " strange coincidence," but what was in hira, as in
every sensible man, a proper appreciation of danger and
care for the future, he regrets his inability at the time
to be of any service to them, and adds : " But such for
the present, and perhaps forever, seems to be the will of
my God ; " and closing his letter with the affectionate,
warra-hearted utterances which were characteristic of
him, he says : " Tell my children to hug and kiss each
other for me."
Poor little children ! The rising sun of Peace, through
the smoke and dust of battle, shines upon you — father
less ! But the God who " tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb," hath provided for you !
As soon as Colonel Marshall was fully able to travel,
he came back to Springdale. Here he spent nearly a
month, waiting for his wound to heal, and enjoying the
society of his friends. As the last that he ever paid, this
visit is surrounded with peculiar interest, and all that
was noble and good in his character seemed to shine out
with peculiar brightness, as it were in preparation to
27

3H COLONEL MARSHALL.
entwine, if possible, his memory more closely round the
hearts of those who loved him. The battle of the 19th
of September, at Winchester, corapelling Gen. Early to
retire, and followed by the rapid advance of Sheridan's
army, rendered it, of course, impossible for Col. Marshall
to remain longer at home. Though his wound was still
far from being healed, he, with a forced merriment and
a hearty " God bless you ! " which the writer of this will
never forget, mounted his horse and moved on with the
retreating column. The mind lingers around the last
recollections of those Ave love, less painfully than over
the suffering scene of a death-bed ; life and hope and
vigor unirapaired are all present, and a laughing eye,
though it may conceal a sad heart, casts hack a more
pleasant reflection than a sunken socket; the actor passes
joyously from the stage, and we expect to see him as he
was when the curtain rises again.
Unfit for duty, Lieut.-Col. Marshall passed the army,
and went on to Staunton, where one of his sisters was
then living. After staying here a while, he went on to
the University, and there remained with another sister,
until, his wound nearly healed, he was able to report
again for duty. In the meanwhile the battles at Fisher's
Hill and Cedar Creek had taken place, and he entered
camp at Rude's Hill a few days after the latter fight.
On the 10th of Noveraber, 1864, Gen. Early, having
determined upon another advance down the Valley,
ordered Gen. Rosser, now acting as Division commander,
to move his force of cavalry down the back road towards
Winchester, while he with the main army advanced
down the turnpike. Crossing Cedar Creek, Gen. Rosser
repulsed a portion of the enemy's cavalry, and drove
them hack on the main force. The Avhole body then
moved against Gen. Rosser, and owing to the rough and
hilly condition of the ground, he Avas compelled to meet
them by detached regiraents. Lieut.-Col. Marshall, in
command of the Seventh, had made a successful attack;
but his regiment had become somewhat scattered ; and
from the advanced position he had gained, he with Iavo of
his men Avas Avatching the movements of a column of the

COLONEL MARSHALL. 315
enemy from behind a vacant house. Engrossed in this
occupation, he had not observed that the greater portion
of the regiment had retired before a fianking troop of
Yankees, and he with his two men was left in an isolated
position. The enemy Avere within a few yards of hira
when he first saw thera, and he had iramediately to put
spurs to his horse, while a shower of balls whistled round
him. As they rode off, he remarked to one of his com
panions, in a laughing manner, " it would be hard to be
shot in the back." The words had scarcely passed his
lips, hefore he was observed to turn pale ; and young
Rector, who rode at his side, said, "Colonel, you are
wounded ! " " Yes," he said ; and as he began to lose the
firmness of his seat in the saddle, he was seized on one
side by Rector, and on the other by Charlie Davis, —
a gallant, noble boy who not long after yielded up his
own young life, and leaves behind to this day saddened,
sorroAving hearts.
Soon Col. Marshall faintly said, " Put me down, boys ;
I am dying ; save yourselves." Thoughtful, tender, for
getful of self, his last words on earth were for the good
of others. These 'two soldiers, unselfish in their aff'ec
tion, would not put hira down, but rode on by his side,
holding the lifeless body upon the madly running horse.
Crossing a stream and leaping up a steep bank, they lost
their hold upon the body, and it fell to the ground.
Seizing it again rapidly, they hurried on ; but soon the
enemy pressed so closely, that it was impossible to ride
this death-charge longer; so, placing the now flexible
yielding body at the foot of a locust-tree, these devoted
guardians of a loved commander had barely time to
escape the shots and clutches of their pursuers. In about
two hours the tables of the fight were turned ; and seek
ing the spot Avhere they had last laid the body, they
found it stripped of everything except a pair of pants
and a flannel shirt ; and even the pockets of these were
turned inside out. Goths and Vandals, we might say,
robbers of the dead ; but had even they known him as
well as we, they would have respected him, though stiff'
and cold. How his loss was felt in his command is best

316 COLONEL MARSHALL.
shoAvn by the following General Order, issued a few
days after his death, and couched in more than formal
words : — Head-Quartees CA'v'r Div., Nov. Ibth, 1864.
General Order, |
No. 103. J
It has become the painful duty of the Major-General,
to announce to his coraraand the irreparable loss it has
sustained in the death of Lt.-Colonel T. Marshall, of the
7th Virginia Cavalry, who Avas killed by the eneray in
the engagement at Cedar Creek, on the llth inst. It is
needless for me to speak to you, his comrades, who so
well knew and appreciated his character, — ofhis prowess
on the battle-field, his noble and generous qualities, his
raanly virtues, — for the memory of these is enshrined in
the hearts of you all.
The best and bravest of soldiers, a most useful and
esteemed citizen, a true devoted and faithful friend, he
fell a noble sacrifice upon the altar of his country, to
whose services he had dedicated his fortune and life from
the beginning of the war. As a testimonial of respect
for his cherished memory, the offlcers of the Laurel
Brigade and Division Staff' will wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days ; and while we mourn his loss,
let us strive to emulate his virtues.
(Signed) Thos. L. Rossee,
Maj.- General Commanding.
The ball had entered his left side from behind, and
passed out through his heart ; so that he must have
died in a few moments after he last spoke ; the exact
time, of course, his companions were unable to tell.
The body was placed in a coffln at Woodstock and car
ried to Harrisonburg for burial. As they were prepar
ing to commit it to the ground, a telegram came, asking
that it might be sent to the University. This Avas done ;
but by some disarrangement of the railroad it was de
tained a week at Staunton ; and Avhen at last it reached
the University, it was discovered that, strangely, no de-

COLONEL MARSHALL. 317
composition had taken place. Anticipating the contrary,
however, arrangements had been made for a private
interment at night. In the cold light of a November
moon a few sorrowing friends gathered around an open
grave and committed to the earth, from whence it came,
all that Avas mortal of Thomas Marshall. His last bat
tle had been fought, his last greatest victory won, and
the soldier, alike of a principle and the Cross, slept close
by the side of the gallant Ashby.
Go, Soldier, to your honored rest,
Your truth and valor hearing j
The bravest are the tenderest.
The loving are the daring.

Note. — On the 25th day of October, 1866, the remains of Colonel
Marshall, having been a few days previously taken up from the Uni
versity grave-yard, were reinterred in the Stonewall Cemetery at Win
chester, and now lie immediately to the left of the brothers Ashby.
On the day following, the 26th of October, " Oak Hill," the home he
loved so well, was exposed at public auction and sold j and though it
has passed from the line of the Marshalls into the hands of strangers,
yet it is owned by those who will both appreciate and respect the saored
memories that linger round the spot.
27 *

MEMOIR OF
COLONEL A. w. McDonald.

CHAPTER I.

/'COLONEL ANGUS W. MoDONALD was horn in
\J Winchester, Feb. 22d, 1799. He was the eldest
son of Major Angus W. McDonald, who was an offlcer
in the United States Army, and died in 1814, after a
forced march at BuflJ'alo, New York. His paternal
grandfather was also a Colonel in the provisional army
of Virginia, and coraraanded an expedition against the
Indians during Dunmore's war. He was a native of
Scotland, and emigrated frora that country about the
year 1746. After his death, his house Avas destroyed hy
fire, and nearly all the written evidence concerning his
origin and ancestry Avere thus lost to his descendants.
From all the traditional testimony which can be oh
tained, it is believed that he belonged to the Glengary
clan ; and was a grandson of that Lord of Glengary
Avho commanded the post of honor at the famous battle
of Killicrankie.
He left Scotland just after the disastrous termination
of the enterprise of a few bold Highlanders to put
Charles EdAvard upon the throne of Britain. Partici
pating in that unfortunate attempt, he fled to France in
order to escape the scaffold. He reraained some time in
that country under the protection of his uncle Eneas
McDonald, the grandfather of Napoleon's famous field-
marshal. From France, he came to America about the year
1750, and settled near Winchester, Virginia. He left
(318)

COLONEL Mcdonald. 319
three sons and one daughter. Angus, the father of the
subject of this sketch, was the only one Ay ho married.
fle died, as we have stated, at Buffalo, New York.
Col. Strother, the father of the notorious Dave Strother,
was Avith hira at the tirae of his death. He brought his
last messages to his faraily, and delivered to his orphan
children the sword and sash of their beloved father.
This siraple act of kindness on his part, ever endeared
hira to Col. McDonald, who long afterwards, when dy
ing from the effects of ill treatment received through
the instrumentality of David Strother, for the sake of the
father forgave the son, and requested his own sons not
to avenge him upon the son of his father's friend.
The mother of Col. McDonald died when he was
eight years old. At the age of fourteen he lost his
father. The eldest of a family of three, he was thus at
au early period of his life taught to struggle with the
world. He learned his most cherished principles of
conduct from his paternal grandmother, who after the
death of their parents took charge of the three orphan
children. She taught him to think himself of noble
blood, and to aspire to a course of life which would
reflect no discredit upon the proud name he bore. She
instilled into his boyish mind a love of truth and great
ness, and sedulously cultivated in his ardent nature a
romantic ambition.
His whole after-life, whether on the frontier engaged
in the exciting vocation of a fur^trader, or following the
peaceful profession of the law, bore the impress of those
early lessons which he had received from his grand
mother. For, no matter whether penetrating the wild forests of
the West, or pursuing the hum-drum round of common
place existence, his thirst for the grand and heroic
always found some object upon which to expend itself.
As a boy, like the knights of old, he was always ready
to embrace the feeble cause, and willing, when his sym
pathies Avere enlisted, to fight single-handed a school in
arms. As a man, he despised those obstacles which in
timidated others ; and whether negotiating a business

320 COLONEL McDONALD.
transaction, or contending Avith an armed enemy, could
never resist the temptation to use original and daring
strategy. Shortly after the death of his father. Col. McDonald
received an appointment as cadet at West Point from
President Madison. He went to West Point a raw and
overgrown boy. He entered the fourth class, ill-prepared
and with no fixed habits of study. At first his class
rank was low, but from the beginning continually im
proved. Though his general course of good behavior
was occasionally varied with some mad prank or foolish
outburst, the memory of his noble ancestry, and the re
fiection that upon his shoulders rested the welfare of his
younger brother and sister, curbed his wild nature and
made him gradually force it down to the hard work of
practical life. In tirae he becarae a hard student ; and
such was his progress, that he was permitted to pass at
the raiddle of his third year from the second into the
first class.
In this way he croAvded the labors of two years into
one, and graduated in 1818. He often afterwards re
gretted the irapatience Avhich lost him his fourth year
at college, and used to say that his foolish ambition to
Avear a pair of shoulder-straps cost him the most im
portant year of his life.
We remember but one incident of his life at West
Point, Avhich may serve to illustrate his character.
Upon some occasion he Avas offlcer of the day, and
while engaged in performing this responsible duty, he in
sorae way found out that a party of his fellow-students
had stolen off and gone doAvn the Hudson on a skating
frolic. There Avas a dilemma. It Avas his duty to inform
upon them ; at the same time, if he did so, the conse
quences to the offenders of the laAv Avould be certainly
serious. What Avas he to do to save his honor and his
friends ? — for some of the party were his dearest friends.
There ivas not much time for refiection ; so he had to
decide at once. He Avent to his superior officer, informed
him of the skating party, aud then ran with all his
might to the Hudson and told his friends of Avhat he

COLONEL McDonald. 321
had done. They of course made their escape before
the party to arrest them arrived.
During his student-life at West Point, his best and
longest remembered friend was Edward Allan Hitchcock.
I often heard him say that he was the only Northerner
for whora he ever had any esteera, but he certainly loved
him well. Indeed, the attachraent was mutual ; for,
when nearly fifty years afterwards Col. McDonald, a
prisoner of war, was suffering in the Wheeling Prison
a convict's fate, bed-ridden, and handcuffed by the order
of Gen. Hunter, a letter from one of his daughters, by
flag of truce to Gen. Hitchcock, procured his immediate
release. He graduated at West Point in 1818, at the age of
nineteen. Shortly after his graduation he was ordered
to Mobile, and placed in coraraand of the Fort there.
While there stationed, he raade the acquaintance of a
young lady to whom he paid particular attention. A
pettifogging lawyer, it seems, also an admirer of the
sarae young lady, raade to her some slanderous remarks
concerning Lieut. McDonald, Avho, upon hearing of it,
caught the fellow and cowhided him. The castigation,
however, neither stopped his tongue nor his malice. By
some means or other, he got issued a civil writ against
his rival, the eff'ect of which would have been to expose
him to a forced absence from the Fort, and perhaps
compelled his temporary suspension from command.
This was not to be endured ; so the gates of the Fort
were closed, and the civil officers refused admittance.
A posse comitatus with the constable reinforced the
offended dignitaries, and threatened to use violence if
their demands Avere not complied Avith, ¦ — -whereupon the
guns of the Fort Avere manned and everything prepared
for action. The civil authority was thus defied, and
after a siege of several days, the Fort remained unmo
lested. Another incident occurred here, which is illustrative
of the pride and self-reliance of Col. McDonald while
yet a mere youth. One of the raen, a raost desperate char
acter, deserted. The fellow had belonged to Lafitte's

322 COLONEL McDONALD.
band of pirates, it was said, and the soldiers of the gar
rison hated and feared him. Upon the discovery of his
absence, Lieut. McDonald ordered a corporal and tAvo
men to go after hira. It Avas knoAvn that he had taken
the road through a large swamp, and had sworn to kill
any person who pursued him ; hence the corporal hesi
tated to accept, and yet was afraid to disobey. It was
whispered araong the men that the fellow had deserted
for the express purpose of getting McDonald to follow
him, and that the Lieutenant was exposing others to a
danger which he would not encounter himself. .
Upon hearing this, Lieut. McDonald determined to
go and catch the man himself. He followed hira for
twenty-five miles through a Avild and marshy sAvamp ; he
came upon hira unawares in a cabin, and caught him
eating at a table, with his gun standing in a corner near
him. He made him walk before him back to the Fort.
All night long they travelled through the swamp, while
hungry wolves beset their pathway through the darkness.
The deserter begged for a weapon of defence, for they
trotted along by his side and stood before him, angrily
disputing every inch of the Avay. Finally Lieut. Mc
Donald granted his request and gave him one of his pis
tols, exacting from hira, however, a solemn promise that
he would not attempt to escape. The man kept his prom
ise, and, moved by the trust reposed in his Avord, was
ever afterAvards devoted to his Lieutenant.
Indeed, during the disturbance before alluded to be
tween the military and civil authorities, Avhich was sub
sequent to the event just related, this man of Lafitte's
begged hard for permission to cut off the ears of the
offensive lawyer aaIio had stirred up the towu authorities
against the Fort.
The idle and monotonous life of an army offlcer dur
ing peace was distasteful to an irapatient spirit like that
of young McDonald. He pined amid ease and pleasure
for a more active career ; the perpetual morning drum
beat, drill, and dress-parade of garrison life opened up
no prospect for promotion, and he cast his eyes around
to find some raore congenial A'ocation than that of a
peace soldier.

COLONEL McDONALD. 323

CHAPTER II.
At this time the attention of the whole country was
particularly directed to the grand fields of action which
the frontier-life afforded to enterprise and daring. It
was then that the golden opportunities to win fame and
fortune Avere to be found. Affording the excitement of
danger and speculation, it attracted most of the restless,
energetic spirits of the States. There, amid the priva
tions and risks, the felicity and wretchedness of the life
of a trader, and Indian-fighting, were abundant occasions
to satiate the impatient longings of lofty, dreaming youth.
Lieut. McDonald, by his quiet fireside at Mobile, read
of the achievements of the frontier men. In his visits to
Ncav Orleans he Avould meet and converse with these
interesting border heroes ; they would tell him of " mov
ing accidents by flood and field," of hair-breadth escapes,
and deeds of marvellous daring.
As he listened, his heart would swell ; and he would
long to Avander, knight-like, among those regions of
romance. At first he attempted to get assigned to duty
there ; failing in this, he threw up his commission, and,
without money or friends, set out for the North West.
At St. Louis he met Avith raany choice spirits, who were
there with intentions similar to his own ; there were
many, too, Avho had been through it all, and who would
discourse by the hour on the charms of buffalo-hunting
and other frontier sports.
Several of these Avere wily traders, who thus beguiled
credulous youth with rose-colored pictures of a life full
of danger and suffering. It Avas in company with one
of these that Lieut. McDonald raade his entree upon
frontier-life. He Avent in the capacity of clerk for the
company to Avhich the trader belonged. Before his first
year of service had expired, he had mastered the most
important of the Indian languages in that section ofthe
West, and becarae interpreter as well as head clerk to
the company. His services thus becoming indispensable

324 COLONEL McDONALD.
to them, he was received as partner at the beginning of
the second year.
He made his salary the first year, but the second he
made nothing, for the company " broke full-handed,"
and his partners ran off with all the raoney.
In the raeantirae he had formed quite an extensive
acquaintance among the Indian tribes, and with many
of their chiefs was a great favorite. He often spoke in
the tenderest manner of his Indian friends. . There was
one in particular. Tobacco by narae, whom he always
described as an Apollo in forra, and a Mars in the field
of battle; he Avas a Mandan chief, and of absolute
power with his people.
Upon one occasion, hearing that a hostile tribe had
waylaid and massacred his white brother. Tobacco ira
mediately went upon the Avar-path against the supposed
murderers. Capturing ten of the tribe, he toraahawked
them all ; and then returning to his home, refused all
sustenance, and, lying upon the ground, gave himself up
to inconsolable despair.
Thus, like the Spartans of old, he satisfied the manes of
the dead with the sword of vengeance, before he turned
to gratify his selfish grief Lieut. McDonald, hearing of
his mistake, went to his village, and found him half dead
with hunger and grief. Tobacco's joy at the unexpected
sight of his friend was indescribable; he embraced his
knees, and wept like a child. The mistake AAhich he made,
however, cost Lieut. McDonald pretty dear ; for, in order
to appease the friends of the ten Indians, he had to pay
five horses, a box of tobacco, and three barrels of whiskey.
Besides. Tobacco, there Avere several other Indian
chiefs very much devoted to him. Perhaps it may be
said, that he possessed in a peculiar manner those traits
of physique and character Avhich are most apt to strike
the imagination, and Avin the affections of the savage.
A Hercules in frarae and strength, athletic and con
fident, he was regarded araong them as a rare specimen
of manly beauty. Fearless, yet cautious, — a dangerous
eneray and a raagnaniraous friend, — he Avas feared, ad
mired, and trusted by those children of nature.

COLONEL McDONALD. 325
Indeed, all his life he showed that his contact with
the savage in his youth had tended to develop, if not
build up, in him certain traits of character. He loved
his friends with a tenacity which made hira blind to
their faults, and it was difficult for hira to see anything
good in those Avhom he disliked.
Four years of his life were passed thus among the In
dians. During this time he seems to have coraprehended
in his experience all the varieties of that Avild life. Some
times he would join a friendly band to hunt the buffalo ;
sometimes, occupied with a bold private enterprise, he
wandered with a fcAV attendants through the territory
of hostile Indians. He and his partners seemed to have
conducted a sort of independent government of their
OAVU, making treaties and declaring war according to the
suggestions of their joint interest.
It was on account of a reason of this nature, that
. Lieut. McDonald and a trapper, named Gordon, burnt
the Rickera towns.
Little is known of his career araong the Indians, ex
cept a few isolated facts Avhich relate to his business, and
some scattering incidents which serve to indicate the
salient points of his character. As an evidence of his
popularity and prominence among the trappers and
Indians, we will refer to events of the history of which
enough only is knoAvn to shoAV in Avhat esteera he was
held among the frontier men. There was an Indian out
break of some sort. An expedition composed of volun
teers frora the trading corapanies, hunters, and friendly
Indians, was set on foot for the purpose of punishing the
offenders. All told, it numbered about a thousand men.
Made up, as it was, of discordant elements, it was dif
ficult to choose a leader.
The Indians generally preferred " Big Knife,'' for that
was the name Avhich the savages gave Lieut. McDonald.
Another party, however, favored the pretensions of a rival
fur-trader ; he was a half-breed, and both raalicious and
cunning. The invading column had reached the neighborhood
of an Indian toAvn Avhich was fortified, and defended
28

320 COLONEL McDONALD.
by a stout body calraly awaiting the coming of the
Avhites. While drawn up upon the edge of the town, the half-
breed proposed that the array should apply a test to the
courage of the two aspirants and choose the bravest. To
eff'ect this, he dared Big Knife in taunting language to
follow him along the line of the eneray's front exposed
to the bullets of the sharpshooters.
Big Knife at once accepted the challenge, and, like a
live knight, replied, that he Avould do as rauch, if not
raore, than his boasting adversary. Away Avent the half-
breed in a swift gallop along the brow of a hill where
the hostile Indians Avould be sure to see and discharge
their rifies at him. He took the Indians unaAvares, and
thus avoiding well-aimed deliberate shots, escaped un
hurt. Big Knife followed at a distance, determined to
die or Avin the prize. By the time he entered the lists,
the foe was on the alert, and ready to take a deadly
aira. A storra of bullets greeted his appearance ; but
disregarding them, he raoved in slow canter over the
ground, and seeraed raore like a general revieAving his
troops, than one running for life. The shouts of applause
Avhich Avelcomed him as he rejoined the coluran, pro
claimed his victory, and his disappointed rival slunk
away, and no longer dared to dispute his claims to the
leadership. Upon one occasion he was sent as a sort of plenipoten
tiary frora a bordering settlement, to negotiate a private
treaty of peace Avith a hostile tribe. He thought his pur-
jjose would be soonest gained by seeming to have no fear
of harra frora his enemies. His object was to intimidate
thera, and frighten thera into raeasures by a bold stroke.
So, Avheii the council-fires were lit, and the braves Avere
asserabled, he entered the Avigwam of state, and through
his interpreter communicated the nature of his mission.
He told them also, that, while he came Avith the pipe of
peace in the oue hand, in the other he held the toma
hawk, and that they must accept his terms or perish. The
Indians, astonished at his bold manner, Avere at first
indignant, though not understanding his language. The

COLONEL Mc D 0 NA L D. 327
interpreter, fearful of the consequences, translated his
bold iraagery into a gentle request. Lieut. McDonald
suspecting the interpreter frora the countenances of the
Indians, charged hira with coAvardice, and repeated that
his great American Father Avould corae and destroy every
living soul in the tribe, if they refused his offer.- The
interpreter hesitated, and Avas evidently endeavoring to
neutralize the effect of his violent manner by soft words.
Whereupon Lieut. McDonald, pushing hira aside, at
tempted by threatening gestures and angry defiance to
convey his meaning. At this juncture, sorae of the young
braves bristled up, and one tall Indian approached as if
with the purpose of attacking hira. Lieut. McDonald
started to meet him Avith his knife draAvn, as if, armed
Avith the authority of his American Father, he could with
safety brave the whole tribe. The interpreter jerked him
to the ground and prevented the rencontre, but his des
perate manner had the desired eff'ect. The Nestors of
the tribe were intimidated, and the treaty of peace AA'as
agreed to.
St. Louis Avas" at that time, as it is still, the great cen
tre of Western coramerce. It was thither that the fur-
trader carried his coraraodities of value, and exchanged
them for articles in demand araong the Indians. Lieut.
McDonald frequently visited that city with cargoes of
furs and skins, but generally departed frora them with
an erapty purse. He made a good deal of raoney Avhile
engaged in this business, but never kept any of it long.
Though earned at the risk of his life, and as the reward
of mueh suffering and exposure, he spent it Avith the
generosity of a prince Avhenever he met his friends.
In this way he lived for four years, making regular
visits to St. Louis, but spending the greater portion of
his time among the Indians in the West.
At last he Avearied of the life of a trader, and became
more warlike in his aspirations. The undeveloped state
of the Southwest next attracted his attention. But his
dreams were of a far different nature from those with
which he first explored the fierce riA'crs and far-reaching
prairies of the NorthAvcst.

328 COLONEL McDONALD.
He no longer cared for the exciteraent of the chase
and the pleasure of wandering through pathless forests.
The objectless romance of youth was succeeded by am
bition of resolute manhood. Sad experience had taught
him, that life was something more serious than a stage-
play jor a sumraer's dream ; and he began to form a
definite plan for the future.
Coraing in contact Avith other bold spirits, whose im
aginations were inflamed by the raagnificent incentives
which the Southwest offered to the ambitious soldier,
they discussed many audacious projects of conquest.
At last a plot was formed, Avhich, for grandeur and
boldness of conception, was as good a plot as ever the
brain of ambitious youth brought forth. Lieut. McDon
ald and ten others concocted it. These eleven were to
organize on the American frontier a hody of emigrants
and adventurers who were to go to Texas, then (1826) a
part of Mexico, and, uniting with others already there,
wrest that country from Mexican rule, and convert it by
force of arms into an independent governraent. This
Avas the same plan which ten years afterAvards was actu
ally carried out by BoAvie, Houston and others. Doubt
less some* of the aforesaid eleven participated in that
revolutionary raovement, though this is not certainly
known. Full of this scherae, Lieut. McDonald came to
Winchester to beat up recruits, and to take leave of his
friends. Visions of glorious achievement and brilliant
triumphs in that El Dorado of the South flitted hefore
his fancy. Carried away with his grand project, he took
little interest in the hum-drum business of his friends at
Winchester. When they talked of crops and fees and
mercantile profits, he spoke of the wonders of an en
chanted land, where dukedoms and empires might be
the fruits of daring enterprise.
With the clairvoyance of a sanguine mind, he fore
saw the independence of Texas, and the rich gifts of
favor she Avould bestoAV upon her revolutionary leaders.
That was to be the country of his adoption, and there
he hoped to Avin sorae of the fame Avhich afterwards
clung to the naraes of Crockett and Houston. Had cir-

COLONEL McDonald. 329
cumstances favored, perhaps his dream would have been
realized. But while thus engaged in Winchester, argu
ing with his friends, and raaking preparation for his
final departure, an event occurred Avhich changed the
whole course of his life, and dashed ambition's airy
fabrics to the earth.
It seems that at the time Avhen he was fullest of his
Texas project, he made the acquaintance of his future
wife. Miss Naylor, of Harapshire. In a very brief pe
riod thereafter, he forgot all his revolutionary designs,
and began to think of becoming a pains-taking, hard
working citizen. Casting about for a profession by
means of which he might earn a respectable livelihood,
that of the laAV most attracted him. At that day it was
the only road to fame ; and then, too, there was some
thing fascinating about a profession which, though in a
purely intellectual field, afforded so frequently the ex
citement of confiict, and involved those contingencies
of success which always stimulate and entertain the
energetic mind.
Selecting this then for his new vocation, he went to
Romney, and applied himself with his usual diligence
and enthusiasm to its study. While thus employed, he
was corapelled, in order to earn a support, to perform
the duties of deputy-sheriff in the county of Harapshire.

CHAPTER III.
At the expiration of thirteen raonths, he obtained his
license, and commenced the practice of his profession.
Shortly after this, he was married to Miss Naylor — in
1827. His success from the first, at the bar, was flattering,
and in a comparatively short time he found himself in
the possession of a lucrative practice. For seventeen
years he devoted himself earnestly to his business, and
was successful beyond his expectations. Within this
period he occasionally Avandered from the beaten road
28*

330 COLONEL McDONALD.
of his profession, to speculate in Western land, or par
ticipate in an exciting political carapaign.
His ardent temperament made hira always a warm
partisan and a stanch supporter of his side.
With little political ambition, and with no talent for
treading its crooked paths, his enthusiasm and boldness,
in behalf of the cause he espoused, raade him neverthe
less assume at times a sort of partisan leadership. Al
ways ready to lead a forlorn hope, or brave a hostile
popular current, he was ofttimes odious to the capricious
mob, which, like a spoiled child, can never hear to he
crossed. He had nothing of the demagogue about him,
and so much did he despise the thing, that at any time
he Avould rather be thought selfish and tyrannical, than
a popularity-seeker. Many misunderstood him all his life from this very
fact. They thought hira supercilious and overbearing
to his inferiors, when in reality there never was any one
with raore tender and generous consideration for those
less fortunate than hiraself. But he could not endure
to " stoop to conquer." He would not conceal his faults
to make an impression, but preferred rather to thrust
them in the faces of people, and corapel them to like
him in spite. of thera.
While his political opinions,' compared with the plat
forms of parties, seemed to change, his political princi
ples were always the same. He was a Jackson man
until his proclaraation, and then he joined the ranks of
the Whigs. The party to which he really ahvays be
longed, was the Madison States-Rights party ; for when
the Deraocratic leaders chose to follow Jackson in his
Federalistic measures, he left them and joined the
Whigs, and it was not until the Whig party fell under
the control of emancipationists and Federalists, that he
returned to his first love, the Democratic party.
The history of his political opinions is the history of
those of the great mass of intelligent States-Rights Dem
ocrats of Virginia. They had really but one raistress,
their State, — and they always fought under the banner

COLONEL McDONALD. 331
of that party which paid most regard to her dignity
and sovereignty.
In 1843, Feb. 3d, Col. McDonald lost his wife. After
her death, he once more Avas disturbed with longings for
a life of adventure ; he Avas less attentive to business,
and took a more active part in politics. It was during
this period that he made himself offensive to the Loco
foco party, by giving away land for the purpose of
making votes in Hampshire ; for according to the law
of Virginia, a freehold estate of a certain amount of
land entitled the owner to the political franchise. Pos
sessing an indefinite amount of moimtain land, he
materially strengthened his party by transferring the
requisite quantity to many young Whigs who had no
vote. This was rather a novel procedure, and was such a
manifestation of his antipathy to his political enemies,
that they never forgave him for it. Not long afterwards,
when the Mexican war broke out, he applied to Mr.
Polk for' authority to raise a regiraent of volunteers.
The authority Avas refused, and the reason assigned was,
that he was such an uncoraproraising Whig.
In 1846, the West again attracted his attention, and
he deterrained to raove to Hannibal, a city on the Missis
sippi, and settle there perraanently. During the same
summer he married there his second wife. Miss Peake
of Virginia.
After journeying backwards and forwards from the
Potomac to the Mississippi for eighteen months, he finally
concluded to abandon forever all idea of settling in the
West, and remain in Virginia, his native State, for good
and all. The truth is, his greatest weakness was his love
for Virginia, and he felt it irapossible to put in her place
in his heart a new and strange country.
Returning then to Romney, in 1848, he resumed the
practice of his profession, Avhich for nearly five years
had been so much neglected.
In 1856, he moved frora Harapshire to Frederick, and
deterrained to spend the reraainder of his days in Win
chester, the beloved place of his birth.

332 COLONEL McDONALD.

CHAPTER IV.
About this tirae the old and unsettled question of the
boundary lines between Maryland and Virginia was re
vived by Maryland. Laboring under the impression
that Virginia was in possession of a portion of her terri
tory, she appointed a coraraissioner for the purpose of
making the necessary investigation, and requested her
neighbor to do the same. Virginia, in response, denied
the justice of her claims, but acquiesced in her propo
sition to have the matter investigated ; and so appointed
Col. McDonald as her commissioner and representative
in the business of investigation.
Accordingly, the two commissioners hy agreement pro
ceeding to the Nanseraond shore, coraraenced their ex
plorations along what was called the Scarborough line.
It was here that Col. McDonald first concluded that
Maryland not only claimed, but for a long time'had been
in possession of a valuable portion of Virginia's territory.
He communicated his opinion to the Virginia Legisla
ture in the winter of 1859, and they thereupon author
ized him to proceed to England for the purpose of
making the necessary investigations among the archives
of the mother country.
Reaching London sorae tirae in July, 1860, he at once
set ahout exploring the rausty manuscripts and records
preserved in her Majesty's State Paper Office. So in
tently Avas he occupied with his examinations, that he
paid no attention AA'hatever to the historical monu
ments and time-honored curiosities of the world's me
tropolis. He Avalked over classic spots, and passed and
repassed the most celebrated structures, Avithout giving
one thought to thera, so deeply Avas he absorbed in the
business he had undertaken. The diploraatic etiquette
of the Court of St. Jaraes Avould not admit of his being
treated as the representative, or even the messenger of a
sovereign. He could only he regarded as the trusted
agent of an important province of the United States, and

COLONEL McDONALD. 333
so was accorded only the courtesy due hira as such by
the British dignitaries.
This offended him very much. His State pride ill-
brooked such indignity to his adored Virginia, and with
all the grandeur of an insulted representative of a great
State, he declined the polite offer of our Araerican Min
ister, Mr. Dallas, to present hira to England's Queen.
Indeed, old Glengary hiraself, of Killicrankie fame, was
not more imperious in his intercourse with his assuraed
superiors. One day, while sauntering along Bond Street,
London, Her Majesty drove by in an open carriage,
amidst raany deinonstrations of respect from the crowds
who thronged the sidewalks. They all took off their
hats except Col. McDonald, Avho, without thinking, stood
thus covered in the presence of Her Majesty. Upon
being asked why he had not taken off his hat, he replied,
" Because I have neyier had the honor of an introduc
tion." In speaking of it afterwards to an Englishman,
he apologized for his rudeness, but said, " In my country
all ladies are queens, but we are not at liberty to act as
their subjects until we have first had the honor of an
introduction." He made many friends while in England, notAvith
standing his natural antipathies. And whenever he
met a Highlander, they at once became warra friends.
His love for the Scottish Highlands, .the home of his
ancestors, was only surpassed by that which he felt for
Virginia. Once he came upon two beggar children in the streets
of London, dressed in full Highland costume. The
little boy played " Charlie over the Water," while the
little girl danced the Highland Fling. He threw the
latter a crown, which she picked up and went on dancing,
while the boy musician acknowledged the kindness by
the very slightest touch of his hat, though the money was
probably raore than a week's earnings. The imperlous
ness of this haughty Highland beggar-boy, that so plainly
told of a once noble but fallen house, and thestirring tune
BO famous in Scottish story, roused every drop of the High
land hlood within him, and, AVith tears in his eyes, he

334 COLONEL McD ONALD.
declared that he believed irapressions and preferences
were handed down, and it seemed to him that he was
borne on the Avings of that music back to the niountain
home of his ancestors, and Avas raarching with them
doAvn the Highland glens to the plains of Killicrankie.
During his sojourn in London, though he changed
none of his political principles, yet being so far reraoved
from the tumult and strife of sectional bickerings, he
seems to have softened in his feelings of hostility to the
Yankee race. Previous to that time he had been a
secessionist per se — so called. A wider observation of
men and things, and a closer acquaintance with the
character of European governments, taught him the
advantage of a united republic. And it was not until
he had returned to the scene of strife, and had mingled
among his indignant and outraged fellow-citizens, that
his old feelings of hostility to the North resumed their
sway. For nearly five months, he, without ceasing, explored
all the testimony which could possibly be found bearing
upon the disputed question of boundary line, and suc
ceeded in triumphantly establishing the truth of all his
conjectures concerning the territorial encroachments of
Maryland. Collecting all the evidence direct and collateral AA'hich
related to this subject, and as Avell as Avhatever threw
new light upon some of the interesting portions of Vir
ginia's history, he returned to America, November,
1860. Upon his arrival, he found the whole country agi
tated Avith a political strife far exceeding in its bitter
ness any that he had ever before witnessed. Sympathiz
ing Avith his own section in its feelings of injury from
Northern radicalism, all that national pride with which
his bosom had swelled at the sight of his country's flag
in a foreign land, Avas lost in those feelings of indigna
tion Avhich he felt towards the enemies of his beloved
State. When Virginia seceded, and the clash of arms was
heard along her border, Avith the frost of sixty winters

COLONEL McDONALD. 335
on his head, he hastened to Harper's Ferry, the nearest
theatre of action, and offered his services.
Gen. Harper, coraraanding the forces there, accepted
his offer, and assigned to hira the iraportant duty of
guarding the bridges and fords along the Potomac below
that point.
The troops at first assigned to him for this purpose
was the company of the faraous Turner Ashby, then a
cavalry captain. Dividing this into sraall detachraents,
he organized scouting parties, who traversed the west
ern portion of Marylaind, and frequently, disguised in
citizen's dress, entered Washington City.
Ashby was then, as he ever was afterAvards, active and
indefatigable in the discharge of his duty. And it Avas
the soldierly traits which he displayed in this service,
that first raised him high in the esteem of Col. McDon
ald. These scouting expeditions developed the Avant of
a topographical corps. Accordingly, with the consent
of Gen. Harper, Col. McDonald selected from the ranks
young raen suitable for this, and organized the first
topographical corps in the State.

CHAPTER V.
After receiving his coraraission, he repaired to Win
chester, to organize and equip his command. Most of
the companies Avith Avhich he had done duty along the
Potomac, (at their request), followed him into his new
organization. In addition to these, several infantry com
panies, which had not been raustered into service, desired
to join him. He immediately applied to, and received
authority frora the Confederate Governraent to mount
them. In June, 1861, he raoved his command, consisting of
eight companies, to Romney, the county-seat of Hamp
shire County, Virginia, which county has sixty miles
ofits border washed by the Potoraac River, Avhich sepa
rates it frora Maryland. Along this dividing line, for its
whole distance, passes the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,

336 COLONEL McDONALD.
which the Federal commanders desired to use as a mili
tary road, between the armies of McClellan, operating
in Western Virginia, and that of McDowell around
Alexandria. It was for the purpose of preventing such a use being
made of the road, that Col. McDonald's command was
sent to Romney, which, from its Central position, was
admirably adapted to this object, and also for watching
the movements bf McClellan in the West.
Col. McDonald appreciated at once the value and
importance of the service to which he had been assigned ;
and while he did not relax his energies in raounting and
equipping his command, he employed all of it that could
be spared frora picket and scout duty, in the destruction
of the superstructures of the road ; and so thorough did
he do his work, that scarcely a bridge, culvert, or Avater
station was left on that part of the railroad, extending
frora Piedmont to the Great Cacapin River, a distance
of sixty miles.
About this time McDowell commenced his forward
movement from around Alexandria. To meet this ad
vance, all the available troops in Virginia were ordered
to concentrate around Manassas. This order embraced
the command of Col. McDonald, and it Avas at once
moved by forced marches to this iraportant field of ac
tion, but arrived a few hours too late to take part in the
action, which resulted in so signal a victory to the Con
federate cause.
At this point he received orders to join Gen. Lee, who
was then organizing and concentrating an army to check
the Federal advance through Western Virginia. At
Staunton, this order was countermanded, and his com
mand was sent to the lower Valley, to guard its Avhole
border, extending from Harper's Ferry to the head-wa
ters of the Potomac, a distance of one hundred aud
tAventy-five miles. Scattered along this line of frontier,
the enemy had a numerous and active force, who were
constantly making forays into the adjoining counties,
and arresting the citizens and carrying off' their mov
able property. To Avatch and oppose this force. Col.

COLONEL McDONALD. 337
McDonald did not have over four hundred available
cavalry. To Lieut.-Col. Ashby was given the right of this line,
with his headquarters near Charlestown. Col. McDon
ald, in order that he raight avail hiraself of his inti
mate knowledge of the country, made his headquarters
at Romney. In addition to his cavalry. Col. McDonald
had assigned him the two militia regiments of Hamp
shire County, Avhich Avere also stationed around Romney ;
and the railitia of Jefferson County were placed under
the orders of Lieut-Col. Ashby.
It Avas at this tirae that a detachraent of cavalry, re
porting directly to Col. Ashby, arrested Col. John
Strother, of Bath County, Va. "This arrest Avas made
without the authority of Col. McDonald; nor did he
know anything of it until Col. Strother Avas brought a
prisoner to Winchester. It Avas customary in such cases
to forward the prisoner, Avith the charges and evidence
against him, for trial at Richmond ; — but such Avas Col.
McDonald's respect and esteem for his father's old and
valued friend, that he violated this rule ; and had him
tried by a board of offieers at his oavu camp, rather than
that he should be confined in the Richraond prisons
awaiting the sIoav progress of justice.
During his trial. Col. Strother was treated Avith every
leniency consistent with the charges against him. He
was allowed to remain at private quarters in the town ;
while his daughter, whoAvas in the .same house with him,
administered to his comfort. A single sentinel kept
guard at his door, and accorapanied hira Avherever he
went. Every opportunity and liberty was allowed him
in making his defence ; and when he was acquitted by the
court, no one was more gratified than Col. McDonald.
Allusion has been made to this arrest, in order to re
fute a base charge of Dave Strother, that his father. Col.
John Strother, had been badly treated by Col. McDon
ald, and upon this pretext has sought to justify himself
for instigating Gen. Hunter, Avhile chief of his staffi to
his cruel and inhuman treatment of Col. McDonald
29

33S COLONEL McDONALD.
while a prisoner of war in his hands, from the effects of
which Col. McDonald died.
Divided between New Creek and Curaberland, points
within a day's march of Romney, was stationed a bri
gade of Federal infantry, and a considerable body of cav
alry, Avho, impatient to taste the glories of war, imagined
that they could win much honor by the capture of the
Confederate forces at Romney ; and, in order to make
sure of their game, determined upon a night attack. For
this purpose all the available forces were concentrated
at New Creek, and by a forced march attempted to sur
prise the little garrison at Romney, on the morning of
the 24th September. But when they came to the gap in
the Branch Mountain, through Avhich passes the North
western Turnpike, three miles from Romney, instead of
surprising a picket, their advance was driven hack by
the galling fire of a strongly posted body of men sup
ported by a howitzer, which also opened upon them.
Being foiled in this attempt, they kept up a show of
resistance in their front, while the main body of their
troops marched by a road along the western base of the
same mountain to a pass four miles below, in hopes of
finding it unguarded.
Here Col. E. H. McDonald, Avith about fifty raen of
the 77th Regiment Virginia Militia, had been posted,
and as the enemy was stealthily advancing along the
narrow road which runs betAveen the river and the base
of a overhanging rock, they were suddenly startled hy
the rapid discharge of musketry immediately over their
heads. To this they attempted to reply.
Col. E. H. McDonald, appreciating the advantage of
his position, laid aside his guns, and literally made it
rain rocks upon their defenceless heads. This was more
than they could stand, and obliged them to retreat in
the utmost confusion ; nor could they again he rallied
until they had rejoined their comrades.
After daylight, Avith their superior force, they Avere
enabled, by climbing up the side of the mountain, to
force the cavalry from their position. Col. McDonald
then withdrew his command by way of the bridge across

COLONEL McD ONALD. 339
the river and posted them, with his artillery, on the
bluffs commanding the fords and bridge. From this posi
tion he checked their further advance in this direction.
The enemy moved ahout half their force by the same
road, at the western base of the mountain, to the gap,
four miles below, from which they had been so signally
repulsed by the railitia before daylight, and by scram
bling up the side of the raountain, succeeded in passing
the gap without resistance. They had then passed all
the natural strong points of resistance, and were out in
the broad, fertile bottoms of the South Branch, through
which they could havo marched Avith ease upon Romney.
To meet this column, the militia under Col. Munroe was
posted on the hills about one raile frora the town, but
waited in vain until about sundown, when Col. A. W.
McDonald, fearing that during the night they might,
with their superior force, occupy a gap in the mountain
on the road to Winchester, and thus cut off his retreat
in case of disaster, withdrew his command through the
gap and encaraped for the night.
Early next morning his scouts reported that the enemy
had occupied the town, and were committing all sorts of
depredations in their desire for plunder ; also, that many
of them were intoxicated, and consequently very mueh
disorganized. He determined to attack them. His troops
received the command to forward eagerly, and at a gal
lop advanced to meet the enemy, who, advised of their
coming, retreated across the river and attempted to hold
the ford and bridge; but the gallant command never
slackened its speed, and as they approached the river,
charged them with a yell, and forced them to a hasty
and confused retreat.
This panic continued until the enemy found themselves
in fortified camp at New Creek, a distance of eighteen
miles. Except that the line of their retreat was through
a densely wooded, mountainous country, in which cavalry
could not operate, the Avhole comraand must have been
captured. As it was, they suff'ered considerably in killed,
wounded, and captured.
After this unsuccessful foray on the part of the enemy,

840 COLONEL McDONALD.
the little command at Romney had a season of com
parative leisure. But this lall Avas employed by the
Federals in organizing a more extensive expedition,
which had for its object the twofold purpose of Aviping
out their former disgrace, the permanent occupation of
Romney and the rich valley of the South Branch. _ Col.
McDonald was apprised of these extensive preparations ;
but knowing that his post was merely one of observation,
whose real base was at Winchester, and that the Con
federate government could not spare the troops to hold
so exposed a position, reraote as it was from the real
base of operations in Virginia, he had nothing to antici
pate but an ultiraate evacuation of the place. To this
end he made all his preparations, and quietly awaited
their coming.
In the raeantirae, the Federal Department, embracing
within its liraits the posts of New Creek and Cumber
land, was assigned to the coraraand of Brig.-General
Kelly, who, having massed his troops at NeAV Creek, con
sisting of about five thousand men of all arras, moved
to attack the Confederate force at Romney.
On the raorning of the 26th of October, Col. McDon
ald was apprised of his advance by way of the North
western Turnpike, and also received information that
another considerable body of infantry was advancing on
the Springfield road.
Col. McDonald was aware that, with his sraall force,
there was little hope of checking their progress ; but he
deeraed it his duty to dispute inch by inch the march of
the invader, and to teach him that the sons of Virginia
were ever ready to defend her sacred soil. To this end
he made every disposition of his handful of men, that,
in his judgraent, would inflict raost damage upon the
enemy, and at the same time secure a safe retreat in case
of disaster.
With this twofold purpose, he stationed Col. A. Munroe
with the 114th Regiment Virginia Militia, at Blue's Ferry,
on a bluff commanding the bridge over Avhich passed the
road leading from Springfield. From this point Col.
Munroe could resist any effort to cross the bridge or the

COLONEL McDONALD. 341
ford below ; and, in case of defeat, could withdraw his
regiment by a raountain road without injury.
To his son. Col. E. H. McDonald, coraraanding the 77th
Regiment Virginia Militia, was assigned the duty of
holding the pass four miles below Romney. He also, in
case of disaster, could withdraw his comraand by a moun
tain road to a place of safety. Col. McDonald himself,
with his cavalry and tAvo pieces of artillery, occupied
the gap three miles Avest of Romney. Through this
passes the Northwestern Turnpike ; and it was upon this
road that Gen. Kelly with his main body was advancing.
From information in his possession, he knew that the
eneray Avere deficient in cavalry, and that he had there
fore little to fear in an open field-skirmish. For, what
ever might be the issue, it would be practicable to with
draw before their infantry could come up. Accordingly
he advanced beyond the gap, and met the enemy's
column six miles Avest of Romney. There a brisk skir
mish Avas kept up without loss, until, in their retreat, the
gap was reached. Here he determined to make a stand,
as he had successfully done a month previous ; but the
swarras of the enemy's infantry, which covered both
sides of the pass, soon made his position untenable. So,
withdraAving his troops across the South Branch bridge,
he dismounted a portion and placed thera behind tem
porary fortifications comraanding the bridge and ford,
leaving with them a howitzer under Lieut. Taylor.
Placing Major Funsten in coramand of these, with
instructions to hold it as long as possible, — Col. McDon
ald, with a rifie-gun and a small reserve of cavalry, took
a position on Cemetery Hill, which Commanded the same
bridge and ford ; and from which point he was in sup
porting distance of the troops guarding the passes on
the opposite or east side of the town. As the eneray
approached the bridge in battle-array, displaying a
force ten tiraes as great as that opposing its march, the
howitzer and rifie-gun opened upon them. The eneray
answered at once in similar tones, and, for a short time,
there was a spirited firing, in which the sraall arms par
ticipated. The enemy's infantry, then attempting to
29*

342 COLONEL McDONALD.
charge across the bridge, were driven back. But im
mediately after the cavalry, crossing the ford under the
bridge, made their appearance at this side, together
with the formidable display of infantry beyond, the
troops in the fortifications abandoned their position
without orders, and retreated in great confusion. So
great was their consternation and disorder, that, Avith a
few exceptions, they galloped by the reserve Avithout stop
ping. The panic was communicated to the reserve, and
at the sight of the oncoming enemy, they too joined in
the general stampede, leaving the guns and Col. McDon
ald, with a feAV others, behind. The enemy, intent upon
the pursuit of the fugitives, passed by Col. McDonald,
who made his escape by taking a back road through the
town, and thence turning into the mountains.
The pursuit was kept up as far as the baggage-train ;
all which fell into the hands of the eneray.
In the raeantime another coluran of the invaders at
tempted to force the position of Col. Munroe at Blue
Ferry. They were repulsed with severe loss, and retreated
hastily towards Cumberland. The position held by the
77th Regiraent, under Col. E. H. McDonald, was not
attacked; and so both these positions Avere held, until
they were abandoned in obedience to orders received
from Col. McDonald.
Such are the facts, and comment is unnecessary. It
. is painful to mention an event which refiects discredit
upon men who signalized their valor subsequently in
many a hard-fought battle, and Avhose reputation for
gallantry remains still uneclipsed. But to vindicate the
raemory of one, to Avhom circumstances denied the privi
lege of vindicating himself while living, it is bnt just
that the truth should be told.

CHAPTER VI.
It has been asserted, and perhaps it is true, that Col.
McDonald committed a blunder in expecting so small a
Confederate force to successfully defend their native soil

COLONEL McDONALD. 343
against such a large body of the enemy. Certainly, rea
soning with West Point logic, which regards one man no
better than another on the battle-field, and in a great
measure ignores the poAver of moral force engendered
by the occasion he did comrait a blunder.
Had he adopted the policy, which most of the military
commanders on either side followed in the late war, of
engaging with the enemy only Avhen there was a good
chance to make reputation, he Avould certainly have re
treated from Romney in time, and prevented the disaster.
But he was influenced by patriotic motives, and deter
mined to hazard a fight for the honor of his State, what
ever might be the consequence to himself. If it was a
blunder, it was of that kind which the South committed
Avhen she unfurled her banner against the powerful
North, and dared to defend her honor, disdaining con
sequences. In this, what some term foolhardy effort to
maintain her rights, she has fallen a victim to a vindic
tive foe ; her land has been made desolate, her temples
desecrated, and her palladium of liberty thrown down.
But her honor is untarnished still ; and none but a craven
would wish that her conduct had been different.
Previously to the defeat at Romney, there were many
circumstances which conspired to make Col. McDonald
unpopular with his command. He had reached that
period of life when the infirmities of age incapacitated
him from comraanding a regiraent of cavalry. He could
rarely ride on horseback, and dared not expose himself
to inclement weather, or to the ordinary inconveniences
of a camp-life. Every attempt to defy the dangers of
exposure resulted in a painful attack of rheumatism;
so that, in a few months after he took command of his
regiraent, he was, more or less, an invalid, with little
hope of ever being otherwise. To secure discipline and
efficiency in a regiment, especially one of raw troops, the
constant presence and personal superintendence of the
commanding officer is indispensable. Hence it was but
a short tirae before the regiment were discontented with
him, desiring, as was natural, a more active and vigorous
commander. Their eyes, too, were turned upon Ashby,

344 COLONEL McDONALD.
the next offlcer in rank. This popular favorite was al
ready beginning to dazzle the troops with his knightly
prowess, and to win all hearts with his superb and
courtly address. Wheii authority was given by the
Secretary of War to raise a regiment of mounted troops
for border service, Col.^ McDonald nominated Ashby for
the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment. He had singled
him out for his observed soldierly traits, and he never
regretted it.
If the fame of the rising young soldier threw his in
the shade, and banished him from the field, he loved
him none the less.
This being the condition of things previous to the dis
aster at Romney, it may well be supposed that that
affair did not iraprove it. A want of military success is
always a sufflcient ground for complaint against the
unfortunate comraander ; but when it was accompanied
by a total loss of baggage as in this case, in the opinion
of the troops, the blunder is unpardonable. Accord
ingly, Col. McDonald found upon his arrival at Win
chester, where he atterapted to reorganize his coraraand,
that the dissatisfaction araong the raen and offlcers was
great, and Avould prove a serious drayvback to his
achieving on the field anything for the good of the
country. Painfully convinced that the interest of the
cause demanded the sacrifice of his personal feelings, he
did not hesitate. In an intervicAV with Jackson, he re
quested him to relieve him from duty, if he thought the
good of the cause required it.
He Avas accordingly relieved, and placed in charge
of the artillery defences of Winchester. This was a
death-blow to all his hopes, but he acquiesced like a
hero. If he ever entertained any resentment on that
account toAvards any one, he kept it a profound secret
from his family. Indeed he was proud of the sacri
fice he was called upon to raake, and never uttered a
word of complaint. Subsequently, when Jackson Avent
to Bath, he was put in charge of the post at Winchester,
and continued in that position till the abandonment of
the place by Jackson.

COLONEL McD ON ALD. 345

CHAPTER VII.
The evacuation of Winchester by Gen. Jackson,
(March 12, 1862,) left Col. McDonald without a com
mand. He accordingly proceeded to Richmond, and
reported to Gen. Cooper. While there, waiting for an
assignment, he spent no idle tirae. Availing himself of
this interval of repose, he completed his report concern
ing the boundary lines of Virginia, and laid it before
the legislature.
As the relations between the States of Maryland and
Virginia Avere then of the most amicable kind, and as it
was Virginia's policy to keep them so, the delicate sub
ject of their disputed boundary lines was wisely laid
over, till a more auspicious period for discussing it
should arrive. At the sarae time. Col. McDonald, whose
whole soul was engaged in the cause of his country, en
deavored to perfect and illustrate by models a plan for
making more effective the guns ofour stationary batter
ies along the Southern rivers. He also endeavored to
attract the attention of the Chief of Ordnance to an
improvement in small arms, which, about eighteen
months previous, he had submitted to the French Gov
ernment. It is probable that neither project was of
much practical use ; and they are merely alluded to
here, to show how entirely he Avas absorbed in the Con
federate cause. While thus engaged, his health becarae
worse, and from that time, with a fcAV short intervals of
freedom from pain, until the day of his death, he yvas a
suffering invalid.
In consideration of his feeble health, he was assigned
to duty on court-martial in Richmond, After serving
for nearly a year upon this duty, he w^as ordered to take
command of the post at Lexington, Virginia.
Though enjoying here the society of his family, who
had removed from Winchester at his earnest request, his
health did not improve. Sufifering constantly from vio-

346 COLONEL McDONALD.
lent rheumatic attacks, his whole systera gradually gave
way, and he became a weak and infirra old raan. Noth
ing so preyed upon his mind as the consciousness of his
physical infirmities.
He yearned for the strength of his raanhood, that he
might strike a blow for the fiag of his adoption. And
he often breathed the prayer that enough of strength
might be given him to die fighting on the field of battle.
Many there were, good and true men, who, as the tide
of conflict surged through the land, gave way to feelings
of doubt and despondency. Beyond the logic of inex
orable facts their faith could not reach, and they fore
saw the inevitable depletion of our resources, and the
final overthroAV of the Confederacy.
But Col. McDonald never for a moment doubted.
His faith in the ultimate triuraph of the South dis
dained all facts ; for he founded his hope in the eternal
justice of God. To the day of his death, in the teeth
of adverse circumstances, he reiterated his belief that it
never could and never Avould happen, that God would
permit the noblest and bravest of earth to become hew
ers of wood and drawers of Avater.
While in comraand of the post at Lexington, neA\'s
came of the approach of the infaraous Gen. Hunter and
his horde of Vandals. As there was no force to resist
the onward march of the desolating barbarians, prepa
rations Avere made to evacuate the town. Loading a
two-horse wagon Avith some boxes of private papers, and
with four guns that Avere found about his honse, he took
with him one of his sons, a lad sixteen years of age, and
left the town. Upon this occasion, his farewell to his
wife and children indicated the existence of gloomy
forebodings ; for a presentiment of coming evil Avas
plainly Avritten on his countenance, as if he kneAV he
looked upon them for the last time.
Leaving Lexington as the booming of cannon an
nounced the approach of the eneray, he proceeded on
his mournful journey in the direction of Lynchburg.
What occurred from that time until he AA'as "lodged in
the Wheeling prison is briefiy told in the following letter.

COLONEL McDONALD. .347
It Avas written to Gen. Crook, for the purpose of getting
that officer to take some steps towards his exchange.
Atheneum Prison, Wheeling, Va., Sept. 6th, 1864.
Majoe-Geneeal Ceook.
Geneeal : — If common repute among the citizens
of the Valley of Virginia has done you no more than
justice, I may comfort myself Avith the assurance that
this communication, if permitted to reach your hand,
will promptly receive the attention of an educated and
brave soldier, an intelligent gentleraan and humane
man. I am laboring. General, under painful and de
pressing difficulties ; weakness of body disabling me
from sitting up while I struggle to indite this for another
to copy, with the conviction made stronger each succeed
ing day, that on the morrow I shall be still more disabled
and disordered. Without access to any intelligent friend
who could advise what should be said and what left un
said, conscious that ray memory is greatly impaired, my
judgment rauddy and obtuse, — with no power of ar
rangement and no capacity to bring to ray aid appropri
ate, rauch less forcible language, — I feel that my only
course is to speah right out what / hnow, as well as what I
feel to be true, waiving any eflTort to raarshal or select
the most important facts.
Much must noAV remain untold ; my present strength
being inadequate to the labor of writing down, even in
the briefest manner, the half which should and shall
be recorded, if God perraits the restoration of my health.
I graduated at West Point in the summer of 1817,
with I. D. Graham, Wm. M. Grahara, Ethan A. Hitch
cock, and thirteen others, forming a class of seventeen.
Why state this ? Because it refers to a record, to which
any may obtain access, indicates my age, and announces
my antecedents as those of a soldier and a gentleman.
I refer to any and all of the class, and ask their testi
mony and judgment upon my claim to being a " soldier
and a gentleman." Why put forth the claim? Because
General Hunter ignored it, and has treated me as though
I Avere a convicted felon and blackguard.

348 COLONEL McDONALD.
After graduating at West Point, I remained in the
service upwards of two years, doing duty at Mobile and
Mobile Point, and the greater part of the time with
Major-General E. A. Hitchcock, U. S. Commissioner of
Exchange. In June, 1861, I received from the Confederate Gov
ernment the appointment of Colonel of Cavalry, in the
P. A. C. S., Avith orders to raise and organize companies
of volunteers for a particular service. My first service
in the field was in Hampshire County, Va., and com
menced in June, 1861.
About the 18th of July, I left Hampshire with ray
command, and did not return till about the last of August.
On the 25th or 26th of October, my force of cavalry,
becoming dismayed and panic-stricken by the presence
of some ten tiraes (of all arras) their own numbers,
without having a man wounded or killed, retreated from
Romney, leaving ray entire baggage-train to bs captured
by the enemy. At the time of this disaster, and for
several raonths prior thereto, I was so disabled by rheu
matism as to be able only Avith great pain and difficulty
to mount my horse.
Early in Noveraber, I Avas relieved from cavalry ser
vice and assigned to post duty, and from that time till I
Avas captured did no service in the field.
On the 13th of last June I Avas in command at Lex
ington, Rockbridge County, Va. On the morning of
that day I learned that Gen. McCausland did not ex
pect to attempt the permanent defence of that post
against the army under Gen. Hunter, then advancing
against it. Having no troops under my command, and
having already sent the commissary and quartermas
ter stores away, and being unwilling to impose upon
Gen. McCausland's small force the care of an in\'alid,
I determined to shift for myself, and as I best could
escape capture.
I had provided myself Avith an ambulance, a f)air of
horses and driver, and had it loaded with my bedding,
wearing apparel, and public and private papers, and all
the arms I had, intending to defend myself as long as I

COLONEL McDONALD. .349
was able against any squads of stragglers, marauders, or
scouting party, who might chance to corae upon me. I
aimed to keep as far frora the line of march of your
army as I could. About an hour before the fire Avas set
to the bridge opposite Lexington, I left there in my am
bulance. The negro driver, who had been ordered by
the Quartermaster to drive the ambulance, having
failed to raake his appearance, my son Harry, a youth
just turned of sixteen, and who had been my nurse for
nearly the whole of the preceding twelve months, help
ing me to dress and undress, became also my driver.
Using ray best judgment to avoid the route upon
which Hunter's force would advance, I went that day
to Mr. Wilson's, residing between the roads, leading,
one to the Natural Bridge, and the other to Buchanan.
Spending the night there, I learned, next day, that the
eneray would probably go by Buchanan, at least with
part of their forces. I selected a place for concealraent
and defence, and with Mr. Wilson, his servants, wagons,
&c., moved to it the next day.
It was about three miles and a half from the road
leading to Buchanan, by which Hunter's force marched
to that place. On the day that Hunter entered Bu
chanan, about 12 o'clock, Lieut. Lewis and private
Blake charged, Avith a war-shout, upon my camp ; they
were fired upon and repulsed, but returned about sun
down in force (as Capt. Martindale and Lieut. Lewis
afterwards informed me), about twenty-two in nuraber,
and again attacked me in my camp. After fighting
thera till my gun-stock was broken, and my right hand
paralyzed by a bullet-wound, I surrendered myself and
my son as prisoners of war.
When I so surrendered, the enemy were distant from
us about forty yards. Lieut. Lewis answered my pro
posal of surrender in the affirmative. After receiving
our arms, and learning that ray son and self constituted
my whole force, (old Mr. Wilson being killed, and the
negroes aud tAvo other lads in the eraploy of Mr. Wil
son having run off',) the raen seeraed much provoked
30

350 COLONEL McDONALD.
(some of them having been Avounded) that I had fought
them at all.
They took all my property, private as well as Confed
erate, leaving rae nothing Avhatever except the clothes
on my back, one great-coat and blanket. All this I
expected, and do not complain of, especially as, after
discussing the matter, they carae to the conclusion that
I had the right to resist being captured. They all
treated us as brave raen treat those who have bravely
resisted as long as the power of resistance lasted.
I Avas hauled in ray own ambulance with one of the
wounded enemy, and delivered to Major Quinn, of the
1st Regiment N. Y. Lincoln Cavalry, whose behavior to
us Avas that of a soldier and a gentleraan. I expected
no difficulty in obtaining a parole ; and Major Quinn
went Avith rae next morning, at ray request, to Gen.
Hunter's headquarters, to introduce me to hira.
After exacting the homage of making me Avait at his
front door for some twenty minutes. Gen. Hunter opened
the door, and briefly inspected rae, Avithout salutation
or recognition of my presence in any way, and then
retired. After a few minutes. Col. Strother, Gen. Hunter's aide,
I Avas informed, opened the door, looked at me with ap
parent ferocity and hostility, insulted me by his manner
and questions, and closed the door. After the lapse of a
few minutes, a gentleman, Capt. Alexander, came out and
informed me, that Gen. Hunter would not admit me to
see him ; and when asked the reason, he said that Col.
Strother had declared that I had treated his father
badly when he (the said father) Avas a prisoner at my
camp ; which assertion I here pronounce entirely false,
and a most foul slander upon ray character, fabricated
by Col. Strother (as I believe and have reason for so
doing) to provide himself Avith a pretext of excuse to
his Southern kindred and friends, for having joined the
North rather than the South.
I have been told by one of his former friends, that
Col. Strother had given him such a reason for having
joined the North. It Avas essentially false, for he had

COLONEL McDONALD. 351
piloted Patterson before the tirae his father had been
arrested, charges preferred against hira, and he sent a
prisoner to my camp near Winchester, Avhich was in the
middle or latter part of August, 1861.
I take occasion here most solemnly to declare, in the
presence of Almighty God, that I never treated old Gol.
Strother with unkindness of any description ; that I
never felt a sentiment of the slightest unkindness or ill-
Avill against him ; that, so far frora it, I have from ray
boyhood entertained for him the kindest regard, and the
highest respect for the fidelity and truthfulness of his
character. He had been kind to my father,- — was his
fellow-soldier, tended him on his death-bed, and was
kind to rae as his son. I never forgot it, and Avas never
ungrateful. The most painful duty I have been called upon to
perforra since the Avar commenced, was that Avhich re
quired me to hold Col. Strother a prisoner in my camp
and have the testiraony taken upon the charges preferred
against him.
Gen. Hunter's ambition is not of the arch-angel
stamp. LoAV-reaching and coarse, he is satisfied to
achieve notoriety rather than noble deeds. In his judg
ment, the quality of bravery Avould be indicated by the
amount of blood and carnage a soldier could cause and
contemplate unmoved, rather than by the risk he Avould
voluntarily incur of suffering wounds or death in his
own person. Punishment Avith hira AVOuld be felt ¦ and
measured in proportion to the number of stripes and the
depth of color with which the epidermis might be
marked, rather than the mortification inflicted by an
insulting touch. Thirty-nine lashes on his bare back
would give him just three tiraes as much pain (and no
more or less) than thirteen laid on with the same force.
With such an ambition, endoAvments and tastes in
harmonious accord, perfected in action by a cultivated
experience. Gen. Hunter required but the very brief
space of time he had given, to Aveigh me in his judg
ment, and satisfy hiraself of the amount of suffering he
raight inflict by "indirection, and yet stop safely short of

352 COLONEL McDONALD.
the evidence requisite to convict murderous intentions
of dealing assassin blows and injuries.
He declined to see me, and consigned me to the care of
his Provost-Marshal-General, one Major Harkins, Avhose
constant practice in the duties of his office, as required
to be performed by Gen. Hunter, had raade this officer
an adept in comprehending the wishes and appetites of
his master, as well as in the selection of measures best
suited to attain the object desired by him.
By Major Harkins's order I was placed under the
more immediate charge of a raan bearing title of Capt.
Berry, whose coarse, unfeeling and insulting behavior
raade life a burden, without the aid of the physical tor
tures he inflicted. He, too, had his inferiors ; lower in
office, but not in wicked characteristics and tastes than
himself. To such he turned rae over, with orders, given
in my presence and hearing, that I Avas to be hauled in
a baggage-Avagon, and was not to be permitted to get into
an ambulance or any spring-vehicle.
My son being Avith me to carry thera, I was allowed
to keep a blanket and great-coat ; ray arabulance, horses,
bedding, etc., Avere left at Buchanan, — and I was started
in a baggage-wagon to grace Gen. Hunter's triumphal
advance upon Lynchburg. Sustained by the strength
and kind care of my son, I was enabled to bear, without
fainting, the great suffering to Avhich I Avas subjected by
so rude a raode of con\'eyance. On the morning of the day
after Ave passed Liberty, on the Avay to Lynchburg, I was
informed that ray son was to be sent back with other pris
oners, and that I was still to accorapany the array ; and,
being unable to carry either my blanket or great-coat,
had to go Avithout thera. As an exaraple of Capt. Ber
ry's treatment of me, I Avill here state that, on the morn
ing I was parted from my son, Capt. Berry came to the
prisoners' camp, and, in a loud voice, announced that
the " old man, McDonald, Avas to march Avith the array."
I replied, that " I Avas not able to march." He declared
that " Gen. Hunter's orders Avere, that I should raarch ;
and, by G — d ! he intended that the orders should be
obeyed." I then inforraed him, " that I was not able to

COLONEL McDONALD. 353
march, and would not attempt it." He replied, " If you
don't, you shall be hauled Avith a rope;" and ordered
ropes to be brought. After sorae delay, and his telling
me " that Gen. Hunter had not yet decided whether he
would or would not hang me," — he inquired, "Ifl
could not walk half a mile ? " I replied that, " if suf
ficient time were allowed me, I could." He then ordered
me to move on, and, at that distance, said I would get
into a wagon, — reiterating his order to Sergt. Owen
Goodwyn, (of Baltimore, I understand,) that I was not
to ride in an ambulance or any spring-vehicle ; and this,
he said, was Gen. Hunter's order. I tottered on till we
came to the train, and was then put into a wagon, the
bottom of which Avas covered with boxes of nails, and
parts of boxes of horse-shoes and horse-shoe nails, and a
quantity of the same lying loose.
Such was the bed upon which a field-officer and an
old man, upwards of sixty-five, paralyzed with rheuma
tism of spine, hips, and knee-joints, his right hand dis
abled by a recent Avound, and reduced in health and
strength by the three preceding years of disease, was, by
Gen. Hunter's orders, to lie, while being hauled Avith
his ordnance and other baggage. The wagon in which
I was carried was nightly required to stop near Oen.
Hunter's headquarters; and special orders given, that
I was to receive only the ration the private soldier re
ceived. In addition to this, that all human sympathy
should be denied me, — I was, by his minions and
bootlicks, denounced as a bushAvhacker, house and bridge
burner, and the cruel jailer of old Col. Strother. The
field-officers, whom I sometimes approached for food, all
seeraed averse to any intercourse with rae, throwing up
to me as true the alleged ill-treatment of old Colonel
Strother. Of such character was my treatment, (occasionally
varied by insults, curses, and threats from Sergt. Good
wyn,) from the tirae I was separated frora my son till,
upon his retreat. Gen. Hunter reached Charleston.
Then the guard handed me over to the Provost-
Marshal ofthat post, — a Capt. Harris, of New York, I
30*

354 COLONEL McDONALD.
learned, — who, being a gentleraan, and knowing the re
sponsibility ofhis position, as well as commiserating my
situation, took it upon hiraself to suff'er me, on my
parole and in charge of a sentinel, to go to the house of
au old acquaintance to get my supper and lodge for the
night. Gen. Hunter coming to a knoAvledge of these
facts, sent for Capt. Harris and rebuked him for his
kindness, and required him to have me brought back
and kept in the guard-room, Avhere on a board shelf,
knocked up for my corafort by the officer of the guard,
I passed that night.
Such were ray accoraraodations while we reraained at
Charleston. From my capture till Ave arrived at that
place, some eighteen days, no means Avas CA'cr given me
to even Avash my face. All my clothing had been taken,
and not so much as a clean shirt allowed rae. My treat
raent, until I reached Curaberland, continued equally
harsh and insulting. Aboard the steamboat from Charles
ton to Parkersburg, I was put on the boiler deck under
Corporal Reynolds, of New York, who, at the risk of
displeasing his superior officers, treated me kindly.
At Cumberland, orders were given by Gen. Hunter
that I Avas not to be permitted to receive any food or
refreshment frora citizens, or allowed to purchase any ;
and that my fare was to be only the ration issued to
privates in prison. From the military prison at Cum
berland I was ordered to be taken to the county jail,
then handcuffed and locked Avithin a cell eight feet by
ten, Avith a guard of four men to watch over rae and see
that I did not escape, or receive any prohibited comforts
frora outside. The cell in Avhich I Avas confined was one
next to a felon, who was taken out of his and hung a
few days after I arrived there. From Cumberland, on
or about the 14th of July, I was sent to this prison,
(under a guard who treated me Avith kindness eu route,)
and locked up in a large room, Avith sorae fifty men of
all kinds, when I arrived ; but as manj' as three hundred
have been confined therein since my arrival.
For one day after my arrival my handcuffs were left
off', but on the second night the jailer informed me that he

COLONEL McDONALD. 355
had received a telegram from Gen. Hunter that I should
be handcuffed and alloAA'ed no more accommodation
than a private prisoner. I was kept in irons and upon
* prison fare for thirty days, during Avhich time General
Hunter, deprived of the comraand of this Department,
a soldier succeeded hira, and ray fetters were removed ;
and since the date of such removal I have been treated
as all other prisoners of war are treated in this prison.
General Crook : the privations and sufferings to Avhich
I have been subjected have made such inroads upon my
health, that I have not been able to sit up and Avrite
since the date of this letter, now sorae sixteen days. I
have been inforraed by the newspapers that Col. Crook,
of the U. S. Array, a prisoner in the Confederacy, has
heen taken into special custody to receive parallel treat
ment to such as I may receive. As soon as I heard of it,
I wrote a letter of which the enclosed is a copy.
Noav, General, if he has suff'ered the half that I have,
he and I have suff'ered far more than falls to the lot of
one prisoner of war in a thousand, and our respective
governments should not delay our parole or exchange.
The stabs that I have received continue their effect
upon my general health, and I can scarcely hope ever
again to see my family, if I am kept a prisoner much
longer. I fear that even noAV, though I raay start, I can
never reach home. I send enclosed a copy of a certifi
cate of the surgeon of the prison, given rae at its date,
since which I have not been able to get out of my bed
and dress, or to sit up while writing this letter.
May I not. General Crook, ask your aid to have me
released, by exchange or upon parole, at the earliest pos
sible time ; and in the meantime that I may be sent a
prisoner to Point Lookout, Baltiraore, or Washington,
on parole, that I may recruit health upon AvhiCh to pur
sue my journey home when exchanged, or if allowed to
go home upon parole.
I remain, Sir, yours respectfully,
A. W. McDonald,
Colonel P. A. C. S.

356 COLONEL McDONALD.
N. B. — I enclose the surgeon's certificate, iu the hope
that I may receive the liberty of the city on my parole,
and if nothing raore, transferred to the post hospital.
A. W. McD.
While Col. McDonald was thus suffering incredible
torture at the hands of those inhuraan monsters. Gen.
Hunter and Dave Strother, his faraily knew nothing of
it. They had heard through his son, who had escaped
frora the Federal guards, that Col. McDonald had ex
perienced sorae harsh treatment, and they Avere fearful
lest his health might bo still more impaired by being
transported so far over land. But they never dreamed
that an innocent, feeble old man like him, with his rank
in our army known, would be permitted to be handcuff"ed
like some vile criminal, and cast into a foul and loath
some dungeon. Inforraation of these things Avas first
communicated by means of a letter dropped in the Lex
ington post-office, without post-mark or signature. Who
brought it has never been kuoAvn, although the bearer
must know that Col. McDonald's family would befriend
him forever for that act of kindness.
The envelope, Avhich was directed to the Avife of Col.
McDonald, contained the folloAving :
Cumberland Jail, July Wih, 1864.
To my wife and children. — I wish two draAvings made.
First : My conflict (backed by my gallant Harry) with
the 22d NeAV York Cavalry, 1st Lincoln Regiraent, and
our capture by them ; and here testify to their bravery
as soldiers and their courtesy and humanity as captors.
Second : Myself, as a prisoner, iu tattered and soiled
garments, Avith iron fetters locked on my vjrists, and
guarded in a cell seven by ten feet, in my uniform coat,
the marks of rank, except the stars, nearly all Avorn
off These two drawings, on one piece of canvas, I wish
to have multiplied, that every child and grandchild of
mine living at my death, raay have one to testify to him
or her, and his or her descendants, that the liberty and
independence of themselves and their native land is

COLONEL McDONALD. 357
worth all that I have done and suffered, and as much
more as I raay be called upon to do or suff'er.
Angus W. McDonald,
Colonel P. A. C. S.
On the other side of the paper was written the
following : —
"Not to secure but to torture; and furnish color of evi
dence that Col. Strother was urged by private Avrongs
done his father to join the North in its war upon his
native State. On the 9th of July, 1864, Gen. Hunter,
instigated by Col. Strother, his aide and relative, had a
'felon's handcuffs' locked upon the old, enfeebled, and
rheumatic Avrists of Col. Angus W. McDonald, and in
carcerated him in this cell."
Upon the receipt of this, his family took all possible
steps to procure a retaliatory measure from their govern
ment. Accordingly, Col. Crook, a Federal prisoner at
AndersonviUe, Avas ordered to be incarcerated and hand
cuffed. This order, however, was never executed, though the
ironing of Col. Crook was believed and spoken of in the
Richmond papers, and no doubt by this raeans a similar
impression prevailed at the North. The Confederate
jailer of Col. Crook disobeyed the order to handcuff hira,
in consideration of his feeble health. With what trurapet
tones does this solitary fact, regarded side by side with
the treatment of the infirm and bed-ridden Col. McDon
ald, refute the charge of Confederate inhumanity and
proclaim the guilt of the slanderous North.
Through the instrumentality of Gen. Hitchcock, Gen
eral Coraraissioner for the exchange of prisoners. Col.
McDonald was released frora prison, and returned to
Richmond the 7th day of November, 1864. The shock
which his system had received from the torture infiicted
hy Gen. Hunter and Dave Strother, left him just strength
enough to return to Richmond.
The terrible suffering he endured while lying in an
ordnance wagon, on a bed of nails, for eighteen days,
had brought on an attack of epilepsy, and when they

358 COLONEL McD ONALD.
put the handcuffs upon him, writhing Avith rheumatic
pain, another attack of epilepsy A\'as the consequence.
Perhaps the great physical torture with which he was
racked, was small in comparison with the sense of mor
tified pride that almost broke his proud heart.
One week after his return to Richmond, he was again
the object of an epileptic attack ; and from this he never
recovered. On the 1st of December, 1864, he died.
Before his death, he declared that he forgave Dave
Strother, and left a last request to his sons, who were
absent, that they should not avenge his Avrongs. If in all
his life there was one weakness of which he was uncon
scious, it was the belief that hatred was sometimes ob
ligatory. But long suffering had hurabled him, not
before raen, but God, and he died forgiving honestly and
sincerely all his eneraies.
He Avas a man whose many faults Avere relieved by
many noble traits of character. He Avas j^roud, but it Avas
the pride of a noble soul which strengthened virtue and
raised hira above raeanness in any form. Uncoraprorais
ing in his political animosity, his bosora was a stranger
to personal raalice. An open eneray and a dangerous
one, he Avas yet ahvays raagnaniraous to a fallen foe. He
loved his friends Avith all the enthusiasra of youth, and
never permitted the cunning tongue of slander to sully
their good name Avithout striking a friendly blow in their
defence. He loved his country and the Cause next to his
God. Family, reputation, and interest, Avere nothing in
his eyes compared to the good of his country.
When in the Wheeling, jail Avith irons on, watching
the passage of the Aveary hours, one day there came by
his Avindow some Confederate prisoners, who Avere going
to obtain their release by taking the oath. Getting upon
a chair in order to communicate Avith them through the
little aperture, he raised his hands trerabling Avith the
weight of the fetters, and pointing Avith his finger to the
stars upon his coat, " Look," said he, " what that Govern
ment has done to Avhich you are going to swear alle
giance." Most of the Confederates, indignant at the
sight, refused to proceed. The officer of the guard,

COLONEL McD ONALD. 359
furious at the interruption, had the only chair taken
from his room, as a punishment for what he called " the
stubborn old traitor." Their studied cruelty wrung his
frame with agony, but kindled in his heart a purer
and holier patriotism. No threat could intimidate, no
insult humiliate him. Indeed he gloried in his suff'er-
ings, and thanked God for the privilege of dying a mar
tyr for the cause^he loved .so well.

MEMOIR OF
MAJOR SAMUEL B. MYERS.

THE subject ofthis sketch was born at Rochtsville, in
the State of Pennsylvania, on the ' first of August,
eighteen hundred and thirty, of respectable parents in
^easy circurastances. He entered Jefi'erson College of
that State at an early age, taking a somewhat irregular
course : his standing in his classes was creditable. As
a youth, he gave evidence of those fine business qualities
that marked his subsequent life. In his boyhood he
was characterized by that same bright, cheerful disposi
tion, generous, manly deportment, and pleasant address,
that in later years made hira a favorite with solider and
citizen, a welcorae guest at carap-fire and in parlor.
Having raarried, he removed in the year 1852 to the
County of Shenandoah, in the Valley of Virginia, and
purchased the well-known Columbia Furnace property.
In the strict prosecution of his business, he remained
until the breaking out of the late civil Avar, happy in
the society of his Avife, growing family, and friends. His
sympathies and feelings were ever in unison Avith the
great Southern heart ; her interests and rights found in
him a firm supporter. He readily adapted hiraself to
the habits and feelings of the people among Avhom he
resided, and soon secured the confidence and esteem of
the entire community.
In a few weeks after the State of Virginia passed her
Ordinance of Secession, Ave find him laying aside his
accustomed duties : the blazing fires in his furnaces have
(860)

MAJOR MYERS. 361
gone out : quiet reigns around his forge and stock-yards :
he has called his employees, his neighbors, his friends to
rally around the standard of his adopted State, and by
force of arms maintain her rights and honor. A cavalry
company, some seventy ih number, is speedily raised,
and Samuel B. Myers is elected Captain, and his brother,
John E. Myers, First Lieutenant. Armed with shot
guns, horae rifies, a fcAV carbines, but well-raounted and
Avith resolute purpose, the company at once repair to
the front, and are attached to the command of Col.
McDonald, who was then organizing an independent
regiment, which was soon destined to become the famous
Seventh Virginia Cavalry. The first duties of a soldier,
his first lessons and impressions of camp-life, are familiar
to many of my readers. On the outpost, on picket, on
the scout, Capt. Myers received his first lessons, saw his
first service. Frora the beginning, he and his men seemed
to know what raany a soldier acquired only by painful
experience, viz., how to take care of theraselves. Whilst
others Avere complaining of short rations, his company
had enough and to spare, and always mounted its
strength, and was ready and eager for every duty.
The first engagement of any consequence in whioh
this company took part, was at Romney, in the fall of
1861. Some five corapanies of cavalry, under command
of Col. McDonald, were stationed at Romney. A large
force of Federals advanced upon the place ; our small
force for hours held gallantly in check the thousands
of the enemy. Owing to the lameness of Capt. Myers'
horse, he was left in command of the camp. Knowing
that a retreat was inevitable, he ordered the teams to
he hitched up, and suggested the propriety of moving
the wagons to the rear ; but no order came. When our
small force could no longer sustain the unequal contest
and were compelled to fall back, the order came to
move the wagons. These blocked up the road, and
what had been an orderly retreat became a stampede.
The entire train, with all the camp-equipage and bag
gage, fell into the hands of the enemy. Capt. Myers,
with his lame horse, only escaped by taking a bridle-
31

362 MAJOR MYERS.
path through the raountains ; he, however, succeeded in
collecting his company at Col. Blue's, on the Winches
ter Grade. Finding they had lost in the stampede all
their baggage, he gave them a furlough of forty-eight
hours, to go home and refit, Avith orders to report at
Winchester, he going with the rest of the command. For
his conduct on this occasion he was placed under arrest,
tried by a court-raartial and acquitted, and the sentence
approved by Gen. T. J. Jackson, Avho, in the raeanwhile,
had assumed command in the Valley. Capt. Myers re
fused to be released from arrest without trial, claiming
the fullest investigation, and asserting, as the sequel
proved, that he was free from all blame.
He Avas restored to command, and resumed his sword
in time to take part in the memorable campaign of
Gen. Jackson to Bath and Romney, and rendered such
efficient service as to win the confidence and esteem of
his General, which he ever continued to hold, receiving
many commendations from this great soldier, for prompt
action, conspicuous gallantry, and faithful discharge of
duty. By spring, so popular had this company become, that
its roll nurabered sorae hundred and twenty names, and
a division became necessary. The old company re
elected the old officers, — with the exception of Lieut.
Robert M. Lautz, who had been permanently disabled
by a wound received at Bath, — and entered the service
for the war.
With the opening spring, active operations com
menced on a grand scale. Col. Ashby, having been
placed in command of all the cavalry of the Valley,
took his position to the north of Winchester, to observe
the movements of the enemy, who had crossed the Poto
mac in heavy force. Skirmishes became frequent. On
one occasion, a considerable demonstration was made on
our outposts. Col. Ashby, Avith Companies C and K,
(Capts. Myers and Koontz,) moved out to raeet thera.
With inferior nurabers, he attacked and after a sharp
fight repulsed them ; and punished for his temerity, the
enemy retired to his old position. Col. Ashby, upon his

MAJOR MYERS. 363
return to camp, reraarked to the writer of this sketch :
"You may well be proud of the 'Shenandoah Boys'
to-day; ofiicers and men behaved splendidly. I am
proud to coraraand them." Ashby, noble spirit! paid
no idle compliments ; to win his praise on the field was
to be heroic. THE EETEEAT UP THE VALLEY.
Jackson's little army, early in the spring of 1862,
commenced slowly to retire before the vast hordes of
the enemy, refusing to be hurried, and by a defiant
manner inspired the enemy with dread ; while Ashby
regularly had his camp in sight of the hostile forces.
The intimate acquaintance of Capt. Myers and his com
pany with the country, raade both invaluable. He was
constantly consulted as to roads, localities, stationing
of pickets, and scouts. Aided in these matters by the
gallant Capt. H. R. T. Koontz, he may be said to have
been the second in comraand. They were allowed to
follow their own plans for watching the eneray. For
days, both arraies encaraped on either side of Stony
Creek. Many of Capt. Myers' company could see their
very houses possessed by their foes ; to these their atten
tion was directed, and during these days many a Fed
eral soldier " was relieved from duty forever."
Each day proved the efficiency of this officer ; his
reputation spread ; and we soon find our modest, gen
erous, kind citizen, the brave, heroic soldier, vigilant,
and patient of toil, in the confidence of his General, ever
ready with a cheerful zeal to do his bidding. In fact, he
soon becarae perhaps the safest and best outpost officer
in the army of the Valley ; never surprised, wary and
watchful, his information was always to be relied upon,
and he seemed by intuition to divine the plans and pur
poses of the eneray ; — he never lost an opportunity to
strike a' blow, and exhibited a capacity for partisan war
fare that would have made him second to none, had the
opportunity been given. A citizen soldier, he regarded it
not inconsistent with the duties of his position, to protect
the citizens ; he often gave them timely warning that they

'364 MAJOR MYERS.
might conceal their property and avoid the appropriat
ing hands of the enlightened Christian soldiery of our
enemy. With gratitude the people of the Valley re
member his kindness, while cherishing an honest admi
ration for his deeds of daring.
banks' EETEEAT.
When Gen. Jackson moved by way of Luray and
Front Royal, Capt. Myers was left with two companies
in the main valley, to cover the moveraent, with orders
to make demonstration on the enemy. So perfectly was
this duty performed, that the " Great Commissary" knew
not of the whereabouts pf the array of Gen. Jackson, until
Front Royal was captured and his forces fiying. When
the enemy was flanked, and his line of retreat intercept
ed at Middletown, Capt. Myers appeared on the heights
around Strasburg, and so arranged his little force as to
cause the eneray to magnify it tenfold. They applied
the torch to their stores, and, pursued by the little band,
they fled in wild confusion. He captured iraraense stores
and raany prisoners. Leaving part of his force to guard
the stores and prisoners, he hurried on to join the pursu
ing forces near Winchester. In the reraoval of the vast
stores captured, Capt. Myers played a conspicuous part;
his business education pointed him out as the officer of
the line to superintend the removal.
THE election OP FIELD OFFICEES FOE THE SEVENTH
EEGIMENT.
Until June, 1862, Col. Ashby had some twenty-six
companies in his regiment: it had seen such active
service, that time had uot been found for its organization
into regiments and the election of officers. After the
battle of Port Republic, the order came to organize and
elect officers. This was done. Capt. Myers Avas elected
Major of the Seventh Regiment, coraposed of the original
ten corapanies. The authorities shall Ave call them, pos
sessed of a ruinous infatuation, resorted to ingenious and
unjust devices, ignoring the elections they had ordered,
and officered the command with men from other com-

MAJOR MYERS: 365
mands, — men, in some instances, rejected by their own
commands in others, with men who had seen little service
and had little experience. It is true, many of the ap
pointments were, in the abstract, good, — but not better,
as the sequel proved, than those recommended by the
command in any particular. To submit was a hard
struggle ; but these brave men, in their love of the cause,
did gracefully and honestly submit. It is true, their
great chief was gone, but there reraained the men he
had comraanded, who had followed him at his bid, per
forming prodigies of valor, enduring every privation and
'exposure with a cheerful courage. Their love of the
cause was the grave in which they buried this wrong
and outrage. Foremost in counselling subraission stood
Capt. Myers, though none had been wronged so deeply.
Wounded pride and slighted clairas weighed nothing in
the scale Avhen the cause of his country was at stake. He
" fought not for glory nor honor ; " he forgot and for
gave, — something the professional soldier has not always
done. This Avas a proud triumph for him. It is a well-
known fact, that no other Virginia troops were similarly
treated. A GALLANT EXPLOIT.
In the summer of 1862, Capt. Myers, in command of
a scouting party numbering some fifty men, near Mid
dletown, Va., came upon a considerable body of U. S.
infantry. He at once charged a regiment drawn up in a
wood. He succeeded in cutting off several companies from
the right ofthe regiment, who at once threyv down their
arms and cried for quarter. The other companies came
to the rescue, and the entire command moved upon this
little hody of horsemen. They cut their Avay out, safely
bringing out some thirty prisoners, with but trifling loss,
inflicting severe loss on the enemy, and materially aflfect-
ing the organization of the Garibaldi Guards. In this
affair Capt. Myers captured a splendid white charger,
Avliich he purchased, and which afterAvards became fa
miliarly known to the command as " Bill," and was the
l)et of the regiment.
31*

266 MAJOR MYERS.
In August, 1862, both rider arid horse were painfully
wounded in a short skirmish at Orange Court-House.
In less than a month, Capt. Myers was at his post, and,
owing to the casualties in the regiment, commanded it
throughout most of the meraorable campaign in Mary
land, proving himself in every way efficient and able.
In the fall of this year, he was promoted to the Majority
of the regiment, the actual rank he held to the day of
his death.* THE SUEEENDEE OP WINCHESTEE.
In December, 1862, Gen. Geary, of infamous notoriety,
moved upon Winchester with a considerable force, fol
lowed by an immense train supposed to have been brought
to reraove a large quantity of tobacco in the hands of
the citizens.f Gen. Jones fell back before him, leaving
Major Myers with about twenty men to observe his
movements. Gen. Geary marched his thousands up to
the suburbs of the devoted city, halted, and sent in a
demand for its surrender under flag of truce. Major
Myers, who had quietly remained in the town with his
little force, met the flag, and agreed that the city should
be surrendered, provided private property be respected,
and he be allowed three hours to complete the evacuation.
These terras the cautious General accorded ; but the bet
ter to protect himself frora danger, raarched his command
into the fort and intrenchments north of the town, and
there he quietly bided his tirae, respecting, for reasons
best known to himself, the truce. For three hours Major
Myers held the toAVii, busy with the arrangements neces
sary for the withdrawal of his twenty men,X consisting
chiefly of visits to his many friends, and receiving mes-
® Owing to the death of Lieut.-Col. Thoinas Marshall, and the per
manent disabling of Col. R. H. Dulany, Major Myers was the only field-
officer of the regiment left; theso casualties occurring during his last
sickness, and about the time of his death, he was never promoted. The
hand of death cut short his promotion.
f This tobacco had been burned by order of Gen. Jones a day or two
previous. X Con. Jones had removed all the stores, and the town did not afford
the prize of even a broken gun.

MAJOR MYERS. 367
sages and letters to be borne to friends in our lines, —
the last opportunity before the city came under Yankee
domination. At last the hours have passed by; the
Mayor forraally surrenders the city, and Major Myers
slowly withdraws his force. The doughty General, angry
that he had been so thoroughly duped, opened fire on
the little band with artillery, which he had placed in the
fort. His shot and shell proved harmless save to frighten
the women and children, a fit finale for the farce played
at his expense. The surrender of Winchester became a
standing joke in all the command, and the Major told
with much merriment and grace how he duped his
brother Pennsylvanian.
The rest of the year, and up to the opening of the
campaign of 1863, was spent in camp without any occur
rences of special interest. During part of this time it
was the privilege of the writer to be the constant com
panion of Major Myers for days together : to love and
esteem hira followed as a natural consequence. He was
proverbially raodest ; seldom speaking of his own acts,
services, or grievances. In all his relations to deal justly
seemed to be his aim, and in every action and word there
shone out his generous, noble heart. When he could
say nothing good of a man, he was silent.
THE AFFAIR AT FISHER's HILL.
In April, 1863, Gen. Jones made his great raid into
Western Virginia. Col. Funsten was left in comraand
of the forces in the Valley, and to Major Myers was as
signed the command of the picket-line, with headquar
ters on Fisher's Hill. His command consisted of one
company of cavalry, and sorae fifty dismounted men,
known as Company " Q." Finding the enemy, with four
regiraents of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery,
were advancing. Major Myers determined to ambush
them ; he accordingly secreted his dismounted men on
the east of the turnpike near the top of the hill, in close
gunshot range, and sent some eight mounted men into
the fiat below as a decoy, with instructions to retreat
hurriedly before the advance of the enemy. A squadron

368 MAJOR MYERS.
of the enemy, followed closely by the regiment, at once
charged. The decoy fled in haste ; and so great was the
eagerness of the pursuit, that some twenty of the enemy
pursued them several miles past the hill. When the rear
of the regiment had reached the fatal spot, there poured
forth from rock, and tree, and bush, from an unseen foe, a
terrible fire. Confusion reigned supreme, and the enemy
fled, panic-stricken, with none to rally and none willing
to be rallied. The spoils of victory were rapidly gath
ered up, consisting of some forty army revolvers, twenty-
five carbines, thirty sabres, and eighteen horses. The
dead and wounded amounted to at least forty, which,
together with some fifteen prisoners, made an aggregate
of fifty-five, a man of the eneray for every one engaged
on our side. The despatch sent by Major Myers to Col.
Funsten, after giving the result, concluded thus : " Glori
ous for Company Q ; she gave the enemy fits to-day."
The eneray formed a regular line of battle in full force,
and after shelling the hill for more than an hour, ad
vanced and took possession to find no enemy there ; they
had disappeared. Before nightfall, the enemy having
retired, our lines were re-established and all was quiet.
Major Myers took an active part in all the campaign
of 1863, Avas generally assigned the command of the
sharpshooters, whom he handled admirably and with no
little strategy.
He frequently was in comraand of the regiraent. No
one possessed more fully the confidence of his raen, or
was more beloved. If he had faults as an offlcer, they
arose from his goodness of heart, and his keen sympathy
for the private soldier and his family, and an apprecia
tion of the Avants and destitution of those at horae who
were so often left to the mercy of a cruel enemy and the
greed of the speculator. On the field he bore himself
splendidly, encouraging his men by kind AVords and
touching appeals, and there Avas about him a dash that
fitted him for the charge which seemed to be his delight.
With all this, he was one of your stubborn fighters, re
tiring only because he must.

MAJOR MYERS. 369
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
The opening of this memorable campaign, the last the
Confederate cause Avas ever to have made in its behalf
ere yet the gloom of annihilation enveloped the "starry
cross," found Major Myers at his post. In all the battles
of the Wilderness he bore his part ; but there were sore
trials in store for him. In one of the heavy cavalry
fights that opened the long chapter of contests, his
brother John, who had succeeded to the captaincy of the
old company, had his thigh fractured. Amputation was
necessary, and death rapidly followed. They who had
been brothers in feeling, sympathy, and interest, — Avho
had erabarked their all in the cause, — were now by the
hand of death to be separated. In the gloomy shades
of the Wilderness, at midnight, in sight of the camp-
fires, and surrounded by the men of the immortal
" Army of Northern Virginia," the spirit of the brave
man took its flight. The body lay on the pallet of straw ;
beside it sat the sorrowing brother, who now stood alone
in his grief, without kindred save Avife and children in
all the limits of the Confederacy. I need not tell how
they loved and respected each other in life, nor how the
survivor cherished the memory of the departed, and
mourned his untimely end. He yvas accustomed to call
it the great affliction of his life, and loved with a modest
grief to dwell on his brother's many virtues. Braver,
nobler, better soldiers seldom die than Capt John E.
Myers. No idle repining marked the course of Major
Myers. The tears passed from the face of the sorrowing
man, and he gave his energies and services without stint
to his country.
In the charge of Rosser's Brigade, at Trevillians, in
June, his favorite horse. Bill, which for two years had
carried him through the storm of battle, was killed under
him. He tarried a moment, exclaiming, " Poor Bill I " and
burst into tears. The brave, self-denying, resolute man,
who had faced death a thousand times, and seen it in a
hundred forms, weeps over his lifeless horse in the heat
of combat and the excitement of the charge.

370 MAJOR MYERS.
Throughout the entire summer. Major Myers Avas at
his post, until, worn out by fatigue and exposure, he
contracted disease, and came home to die. During part
of the fall and winter, his home was in the lines of the
enemy, and the dying raan had to be concealed in his
own house. His disease refused to yield to treatment, and
after a long illness the robust frame subraitted to death :
he died on the 25th of February, 1865. At home, sur
rounded by his immediate family, he, who had seen so
many die upon the field of battle, the last earthly sounds
ringing in their ears being shouts of victory, met the great
destroyer, and tothe companion of his earlier years uttered
his dying AVords. He died a martyr to the cause for
which he fought. He lived long enough to Avin a name :
he was spared the grief of seeing the cause for which he so
faithfully toiled, overthroAvn. To his family he left a
spotless character and a reputation that will live in
history and tradition, Avhile the Valley of Virginia re
tains its beauty, and raankind cherish the noble and
generous in action.
In all his transactions he was honest and just; in
battle he was fearless, careful of the lives of his men :
he exposed his own with an almost needless courage.
His remains lie interred near his home, on the banks of
Stony Creek. No monuraent raarks the spot ; but sor-
roAving aff'ection and grateful reraembrance bring flowers
and plant evergreens on his last resting-place, while his
virtues and deeds are inscribed on memory's perpetual
record. His narae is a household word in the Valley of Vir
ginia ; hundreds yet live who can tell of his acts and
virtues. On the field of battle, in carap, iu private life,
he was ever the same kind, bright, generous heing.
There was ever the same smile upon his face that the ex
citement and dangers of actual combat failed to remove.
Hundreds of prisoners of the enemy can testify to his
humanity under all circumstances ; he never wronged
nor insulted the fallen. All men were his brethren. He
died for the cause he believed right ; for the country of

MAJOR MYERS. 371
his adoption he offered his life a sacrifice. Noble spirit I
The weight of cares that now oppress us, the difficulties
that now beset us, the evils that now threaten us, will
never banish thy memory from our hearts I In life we
honored thee; in death we will cherish thy virtues.
He is gone. "he left NO NOBLEE HEART BEHIND."

MEMOIR OF
GAPT. GEORGE FREDERICK SHEETZ.

IN most popular struggles, the element of endurance
is contributed by the mountaineers. From the days
of Tell to the days of Sehamyl and Hofer, it has been
always so. These men are born and reared among a
chain of natural fortresses, which all the circumstances
of their life combine in training them to defend. For
half a century, beginning with Killicrankie and ending
with Culloden, a handful of Highlanders, nestled in the
bleakest and most barren nook of the British Isles, kept
alive the cause of "the Gentlemen-Kings;" and after,
by all military rules, they were hopelessly defeated, bore
the white cockade to Avithin two days' raarch of London.
In the darkest period ofthe Revolution, Washington's ul
timate hope rested on the defiles of the Alleghany. By
the same instinct, the eye of Lee turned to the same refuge,
as the cloud of exhaustion and disaster sloAvly but steadily
enveloped the lowlands. In no other part of the Con
federacy save those portions of the mountain-region,
where the people's hearts were Avith it, did the cause
ever manifest the slightest recuperative power. Else
where, when a toAvn or a position was lost, it yvas lost
forever. But along the peaks of the Blue Ridge and its
neighbor-ranges, almost within sight of the Federal cap
ital, the contest ebbed and fiowed, with a varying for
tune that seemed altogether independent of events in
other quarters, to the very last. From the portals of
that fastness poured, as regularly as the floods of spring,
the stream of invasion upon a foe aggressive at every
other point, but uniformly on the defensive here. Its
( 372 )

CAPTAIN SHEETZ. 373
representative corps, Mosby's Battalion, was the last of
the Confederate forces to surrender. Had upper Ten
nessee, Kentucky, and Alabama, been possessed by a
people of the same temper, the war would have been
greatly prolonged, if not diflTerent in its issue. But if
the garrison be not faithful, the mightiest stronghold is
AVorse than worthless.
The subject of this sketch, Geoege Feedeeick
Sheetz, finely exemplified the best traits of the moun
taineer. Reared from early boyhood in the labors,
exercises, and sports of a rugged rural district, the sim
ple symmetry of his mind, character, and habits cor
responded with the perfection of his physical develop
ment. The "little knowledge" he acquired in a coun
try school did not prove "a dangerous thing" to its
possessor. A stranger to excess of every kind, he told
a friend, in the first summer of the war, he had never
tasted spirituous liquor, tea, coffee, or tobacco in his life.
Thus prepared by self-denial, and in full command of
all his faculties, he seemed created for his work. His
air and presence, his straight and lithe figure, speaking
alike of strength, agility, and capacity for hardship and
privation, proclairaed the leader. He was, Avithal, gen
tle in raanner and of exceeding modesty.
Frederick Sheetz, Esq., the grandfather of George,
frora whom he derived his middle name, was long a re
spected, pious, and useful citizen of Hampshire County,
Virginia, a valuable member of society in every respect,
faithful in public and private trust, firm and decided in
character, and illustrating, to a ripe old age, the solid
virtues of the past. Robert K. Sheetz, Esq., his son,
emigrated to Indiana, where George, in December, 1836,
Avas born. His wife Avas a Miss Fantlinger, a Pennsyl
vanian by birth, and from her brother our hero took his
first name. The family returned to Harapshire during
George's infancy, and there he lived till the hills echoed
with the call to arras. For two or three years before
the war, he was engaged in mercantile business with
E. M. Armstrong, Esq., at NeW Creek Station, on the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He enjoyed, in a high
82

374 CAPTAIN SHEETZ.
degree, the confidence and esteem of his business associ
ates "in the community.
Col. Armstrong, who was a member of the Virginia
Convention which passed the Ordinance of Secession,
comraanded a volunteer company called the Ncav Creek
Riflemen. Sheetz Avas his First Lieutenant. A strong
Union sentiment prevailed at Ncav Creek, as it did at
most points immediately on the line of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad ; and the little corps was much di
vided. When about the 20th of May, 1861, orders Avere
received from Richmond for it to join the forces already
in the field, out of about ninety enrolled members only
some twenty-five assembled at the rendezvous, Burling
ton, a hamlet a few railes west of Romney. Their cap
tain, after spending a day or tAvo in efibrts to collect the
absentees, and the arras of determined recusants, marched
those who stood by hira to Romney, turned over their
arms, and disbanded the men.
Lieutenant Sheetz imraediately stepped forward, and
called on those present to volunteer with him " in de
fence of Virginia and of Virginia's rights and honor."
Fifteen or sixteen joined hira, forming thus a nucleus
for a new company. The arras just turned over were
now reissued to these men, and Capt. Sheetz remained
in Romney recruiting until he had entered about fifty
names. This being the fourth company furnished hy
Harapshire, recruiting had necessarily becorae slow.
MeanAvhile, Col. Cummings, afterwards leader of the
gallant 33d Virginia, of the StoneAvall Brigade, and
who fell on the field of First Manassas, where the brigade
earned its immortal name, reached Romney, and took
charge of the two Hampshire companies of Sheetz and
Grace, and a Hardy corapany under Captain (subse
quently Colonel) Spangler. With these he marched to
Winchester, where two were mustered into service.
The command of Capt. Sheetz, not yet having reached
the minimum nuraber, was ordered back to Romney to
recruit. As the soldiers retraced their march of forty-
two miles over the mountains, under the sultry sun of
June, they met some troops of cavalry belonging to the

CAPTAIN SHEETZ. 375
Legion in process of formation by Col. Angus McDon
ald, Lieut.-Col. Turner Ashby, and Major Oliver R. Fun
sten. In accordance with the wish of his men, Capt.
Sheetz determined to fill up his company as cavalry,
Avhich he accoraplished in a few days ; and on the 19th
of June, 1861, it was raustered into the Legion as Cora
pany F. Composed of the best possible material, — ex
pert woodsmen and riders inured to fatigue and expo
sure, — the sixth company could not fail to make its
mark. And it did ! As the reorganization of Ashby's
cavalry, enlarged by a number of troops into regiments,
did not take place until after the death of Capt. Sheetz,
we will here add that this troop Avas then incorporated
into the 7th Virginia Cavalry, under Col. (afterward
Major-General) Wm. E. Jones, who fell at New Hope.
Here it retained its place as Company F, and well sus
tained its character under Kuykendall and Vandiver,
successors of Sheetz. To its Hampshire men were united
some volunteers from Hardy and from Maryland.
To return. The spirit of its commander was soon re
fiected in the drill and efficiency of the troop. It was
consequently selected for the hardest outpost and picket
duty. After having participated in all the marches,
countermarches, and skirmishes of the Legion in the
Valley and at Manassas, all the while badly armed and
carrying the long infantry musket and bayonet, it was
detached, in the latter part of October, 1861, to picket
.Blue's Gap, fifteen miles east of Romney, on the turn
pike to Winchester. Romney was then held by the Fed
eral forces under General Kelly. His foot once raore
upon his native heath, and the ground intimately known
to himself and his men, Capt. Sheetz's qualities had a
fine field for their development, and he was not slow
in availing hiraself of it.
The first blow was dealt by a detachment of seven or
eight men under Orderly Sergeant John C. Leps, than
whom a braver man or better soldier never breathed,
hut who was accidentally killed a few weeks later by
the discharge of a gun in the hands of a corarade.
Leaving camp at an early hour on foot, the little band

376 CAPTAIN SHEETZ.
kept out of sight of the road till Avithin eight miles of
Romney, when they concealed themselves in the woods
on the hill-side, forty or fifty paces from the road. Soon
the sound of horse-hoofs was heard. A troop of Federal
cavalry approached. When well opposite the arabuscade,
they were saluted by a broadside, which eraptied several
saddles. Recovered frora their first confusion, the blue-
coats essayed a charge, but two or three rounds induced
thera to give it up and retreat in some haste, though
outnumbering their assailants raore than five to one.
None of the Confederates was injured.
This affair resulted in the equipraent of the detach
ment with five cavalry outfits, — no trifiing acquisition
to raen provided as they had been.
Shortly after this, Capt. Sheetz himself conducted a
sirailar expedition in the sarae direction. The party Avas
on this occasion mounted. Six miles east of Romney, and
a quarter of a mile west of houses called Frenchburg, a
company of Federal infantry was stationed. Dismount
ing, and ascending a hill, Sheetz had a view of the
ground. Tavo of the enemy's cavalry were seen to ride
past the infantry picket and enter a house in the village.
Simultaneously, two infantry-men left the same house to
rejoin their post. Capt. Sheetz, and tAvo or three others
of his men, ran down and captured the horsemen. The
other tAVO yvere pursued, and one of them wounded and
captured. As nothing raore could be done, the adven
turers returned leisurely to carap. The Federals took
revenge on the unoffending people of Frenchburg by"
burning the village, on the Avholly groundless pretext of
their collusion Avith Sheetz.
Many other incidents of this kind transpired during
the fall and Avinter, Avith the result of establishing the
self-confidence and efficiency of the men, and of furnish
ing nearly all of them Avith good arras and equipments.
One raore may be adverted to.
The position of Hanging Rock was protected on its
right flank by a company under Capt. Shands, stationed
at North River Mills, six or eight miles northeast. This
post commanded the road frora Springfield, where there

CAPTAIN SHEETZ. 377
was a Federal force, to Capon Bridge, eight miles in
Sheetz's rear.
One cold night, in December, a courier from Capt.
Shands brought intelligence to his senior officer, that he
had been much annoyed by the enemy from Springfield,
who constantly drove in his pickets at Slane's Cross-
Roads, a short distance in front. Sheetz's reply was an
order to Shands, to meet him at the Cro'fes-Roads at nine
the next morning. A snoAV-storra meanwhile set in,
greatly enhancing the difficulties of the mountain roads ;
but at dawn the dauntless ranger was in the saddle, with
twenty of his men, — all who could be spared from picket
and other routine duty. At the appointed time he was
at the appointed place. Shands was not forthcoming,
though he had to travel less than half the distance tra
versed by Sheetz, presuming probably that the snow,
Avhich still fell heavily, would cause an abandonraent of
the movement, as it would of the incentive — the raid
of the foe. If so, he was raistaken in both surraises ; for
Capt. Sauls, with his troop of Gerraan cavalry from
Pennsylvania, pounced duly upon the unfortunate pick
et, and was duly encountered, on his return from a fruit
less chase of it, by Sheetz and his little band.
The Federals, on their advance, passed under the eye
of the Confederates, before reaching the picket ; but were
left unraolested. Not so on the retreat. The latter had
dismounted and moved doyvn to yyithin forty yards of the
road. The jolly Teutons approached, with laugh and
jest over the morning's hunt. As the head of the column
came opposite the Confederate left, the signal was given,
and a score of well-aimed rifies abruptly joined the chorus
and changed the tune. Among the saddles emptied Avas
that of Capt. Sauls. Time was allowed for but one
volley ; for the men it left mounted were, ere the smoke
had well blended Avith the falling snow, making the best
possible use of their spurs. Gilpin-fashion, they raade
better tirae on the horae-stretch than on the outAvard
turn. Hats and arras Avere thrown Avildly aAvay, or lost
unheeded. The ten miles of undulating road to Spring
field were never so rapidly done, before or since. Besides
32*

378 CAPTAIN SHEETZ.
the dead and wounded left on the field, the Federals lost
five prisoners, who were taken to camp, with a greater
proportional booty in horses and equipment. Capt.
Sauls and his injured men were confided to the care of
the residents of the neighborhood until their friends
should send for them.
The moral effect of these enterprises was stated by the
Federal commander. Gen. Kelly, in conversation with a
prominent citizen living near Romney : that he " could
scarcely get his cavalry to scout beyond the limits of the
town for that Sheetz and his men." In fact, this little
band, forced to depend on the enemy for the arms where
with to fight hira, in the space of three months killed,
wounded and captured, alraost, if not quite, as many
men as it nurabered, and that without the loss of a single
man on its own side. It held a belt of country nearly
forty iniles Avide, between the Union army of the upper
Potomac and Jackson's lines at Winchester.
But Kelly could not subrait longer to be heraraed in
by so trifling a force. Signs of a movement on his part
caused the assembling of one or two hundred railitia at
Blue's Gap, or Hanging Rock, Sheetz's headquarters.
Sheetz himself moved forward some three railes. Early
in January, 1862, a Federal force of three thousand,
infantry, artillery, and cavalry, raoved from Romney,
and reached the Confederate outpost at daybreak, after a
night's march of twelve railes. Sheetz, ever on the alert,
at once sent intelligence to the main body, and fell back
slowly before the enemy, skirmishing all the way, and
burning the bridge over North River, four hundred
yards in front of the gap. But, notwithstanding the
ample notice they had had, and the close proximity of
their caraps to the defensive AVorks, the militia failed to
man them, and the enemy took possession almost unre
sisted. Two or three were killed and a few captured.
The rest of the " citizen-soldiery " fled, with various de
grees of precipitation, through the woods on either hand
and down the turnpike towards Winchester. The enemy's
cavalry came on in eager pursuit, but were checked by
Sheetz, until the militia made good their retreat, when

CAPTAIN SHEETZ. 379
he fell back slowly, both sides skirmishing. On reaching
more open ground, he was charged in heavy force, and
had to retreat in some haste for half a mile. The Fed
erals then retraced their steps. The Captain, with a half
dozen of his men, dogged their rear. The rest of his
troop he sent back to Capon Bridge, eight miles from
Blue's, to await further orders.
Kelly's force returned at once to Romney, devastating
as they went. Dwellings and barns and irapleraents were
burned, and all the live stock, down to poultry, shot and
left lying. Some of their owners shared their fate. An
old inan, living at Hanging Rock, was shot in front of
his cabin, and his body partially consumed with it.
Jackson's march on Hancock and Romney, shortly
after this, was determined on raainly from information
furnished by Capt. Sheetz, who was first to enter Rom
ney, and capture some stragglers left by the retreating
Federals. He held the place until the arrival of Jack
son some days later, when he employed his command
actively in scouting.
We need not dwell on the distasteful theme of the
Loring imbroglio. When that officer succeeded in get
ting an order from the War Department, over the head
of his superior, for the evacuation of Romney, he exe
cuted it in such haste that, for want of transportation,
which could easily have been obtained in the vicinity,
clothing and other supplies of great value to his troops
were abandoned.
Our hero remained in the town tAventy-four hours
after the departure of the main body. He then
marched out to his old lair. Blue's Gap, where he re
mained until Loring was beyond danger on the road to
Winchester. With the consent of his commanding offi
cer, he proceeded thence to Moorefield, thirty miles west
by south, arriving about the first of February. For a
fortnight he Avas occupied in scouting and picketing for
a regiment of militia, under Col. Harness, some two
hundred strong.
Learning that a body of eleven hundred men, of the
three arms, under Col. Dunning of Ohio, was on the

380 CAPTAIN SHEETZ.
march from New Creek Station for Moorefield, Capt.
Sheetz, with such of his men as could be spared from
vidette duty on other roads, proceeded, after night, to
the ford of the South Branch of Potoraac, two miles
below the village. About raidnight, the enemy ap
peared and atterapted to cross, but was raet by so steady
and effective a fire, that, after one or two efforts, he fell
back, and moved, by a circuitous route, to a ford oppo
site the town, and within point-blank cannon-shot. The
Federal coramander demanded the surrender of the
place, or the removal of the women and children within
fifteen minutes ! At the expiration of that liberal term
of grace, he would, he said, shell the town. Col. Har
ness replied, that he would remove his troops, and that,
if Col. Dunning chose to shell the non-combatants, the
responsibility would be his own. A nuraber of shot and
shell were thereupon thrown into the village, soraewhat
daraaging the court-house and other buildings, but for
tunately causing no loss of life among the citizens, most
of whom reraained quietly at their homes.
In some skirmishing of pickets at the river. Corporal
(afterwards Lieutenant) Vandiver, a most gallant young
soldier of Avhom mention has been already made, who
subsequently left an arm at Sappony Church near
Petersburg, received a slight scalp-wound. This, with
the loss of a horse by a shell, summed up the casualties
in the troop ; while the loss of the euemy Avas reported
at not less than ten.
During the foAV hours the eneray remained in Moore
field, Capt. Sheetz, Avith a squad of his men, occupied a
hill in full view. The rest yvere quartered a fcAV miles
distant for the night. In the morning, they returned to
the town, holding it without further incident until, in
tha end of February, orders from Col. Ashby directed
them to report to Gen. Jackson at Winchester. Arrived
at Winchester, the troop Avas ordered to Berryville,
"Stonewall" accompanying it thither, and riding at the
head of the coluran with Captain Sheetz, Avliose fine qual
ities for picket duty he always appreciated, and now de
signed testing anew.

CAPTAIN SHEETZ. 381
The Captain's first deraonstration was the surprise and
capture of an outpost on the Shenandoah, below Charles
town, which place was then held by the Federals.
An attempt at moral suasion on the picket at Rippon,
midway between CharlestOAvn and Berryville, and six
miles from each point, failed. With the idea of " draw
ing them out," as he said, Sheetz concealed the mass of
his troop at dawn one morning behind a stone fence,
and sent two or three picked men on as a decoy. But
the "blue-fish" were not in biting-mood that day, and
the creel of the enterprising sportsman missed its wonted
spoil. A few days later, Avhen Banks coraraenced his ad
vance, his luck Avas near being more than negatively
bad. He was, as usual, in the extreme front with his
troop. Gaining sorae information which he desired to
communicate to General Jackson, he went, with two
men, to a house near the road for the purpose of writing
the despatch. MeauAvhile, the vau of the enemy came
in sight, and forced the command to a rapid retreat.
The captain, hearing the report of fire-arms, raounted,
and rode off in another direction. Making a detour, he
was soon again at the head of his men in front of the
enemy. The same night, procuring a guide, he took
three or four men, and went on foot on a tour of obser
vation to the enemy's rear, — a traraj), out and back, of
fifteen miles. Having gained the information he sought,
he returned to carap, bringing with him a prisoner. The
next morning, he was in the saddle and in action. He
repulsed a cavalry charge, losing one mau badly wounded,
and making some small captures.
Rejoining Ashby's command, Capt. Sheetz's brief re
maining history becomes merged in the glorious record
of his leader. In the almost incessant series of skir
mishes and battles Avhich occupied the spring months of
1862, he was a prorainent sharer. " First in the charge
and last in the retreat," he won the love, respect, and
confidence of all with whora he served. His brother
officers spoke of him for the colonelcy of one of the regi
ments awaiting organization ; but leisure for that Avas~

382 CAPTAIN SHEETZ.
never found during his or Ashby's life. After the bat
tle of McDowell, he was put in command ofthe advance
in pursuit of Milroy. To the chastisement of that un
happy football of Jackson he contributed largely, cap
turing a number of prisoners. Among these was a Lieu
tenant-Colonel, whose fine charger he rode to the day of
his fast-approaching death.
On the 23d of May, when Jackson's flank march
on Banks, already a proved success, was culminating in
triumph, a body of Federal infantry raade a temporary
stand at Buckton Station, on the Manassas Gap road,
between Front Royal aud Strasburg. The cavalry were
preparing to charge them, Sheetz at the head of his
coramand, Avhen he met his death-wound, and the tire
less ranger was as lifeless as the sod which every fibre
of his frame, every effort of his intellect, and every pul
sation of his heart, was engaged to defend.
The dead soldier was borne to Front Royal and there
interred. Four years later, he shared with his gallant
coraraander, whora he had preceded to the grave but a
few days, the funeral honors off'ered by the people for,
and the comrades with, whom both had fought. On the
29th of October, 1866, the remains of both were brought
to Winchester, where they lay in state side by side, to
gether Avith those of Richard Ashby and Lieut.-Col.
Marshall. On the evening of the next day, after his
three comrades had been consigned to their final rest in
the Stonewall Ceraetery, the survivors of his troop bore
the remains of Sheetz to the mountain-home of his hoy-
hood. His aged father preferred this disposition of them
to a more public burial in the cemetery. On the follow
ing Sunday, after au impressive discourse by the Rev.
W. Woodworth, they Avere consigned to earth under the
shadoAV of Eusebia Church, among his kindred Avho had
gone before.
"A being Avith a man's courage aud a AVoman's gen
tleness," is a definition of the gentleman Avhich aptly
describes the subject of this hasty Memoir. Quiet but
firra, unassuming but ever ready, duty Avas his constant
guide from boyhood to an honored grave.

MEMOIR OF
BRIG.-GENERAL WILLIAM E. JONES.

rr^HIS distinguished officer was born in Washington
_L County, Virginia, May, 1824, and entered Emory
and Henry College when quite young. He was a mem
ber of the class which graduated in 1844. Entering the
Military School at West Point the same year, he grad
uated Avith distinction in the class of 1848. He was
commissioned a 2d Lieutenant, U. S. A., and sent to the
department of Texas. Here he remained on duty until
Deceraber, 1851, when, receiving a furlough, he returned
home, and married a daughter of Dr. Samuel Dunn, of
Washington County, on the 13th of January, 1852. 'The
March following he left home with his bride for his post
in Texas. The vessel in which they sailed from Neyv
Orleans Avas wrecked and" his wife was drowned, on the
20th of March. He went on to his command and re
mained with it up to September, 1856, when he resigned
his commission and returned home. He visited Eng
land, France, and Russia during 1857, and after his re
turn horae devoted his time to the cultivation and im
provement of his estate, until the struggle for Confeder
ate independence began in 1861.
He entered the Confederate service at the beginning
of the war as Captain of the Washington Mounted Ri
fles. His company was attached to the 1st Virginia
Cavalry, and was considered by all who knew it, the best
in the regiment. On the 28th day of Septeraber, 1861,
he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the 1st Virginia
Cavalry. This regiment he commanded until the re-
(383)

384 GENERAL JONES.
organization of the army in April, 1862. Under his
leadership this regiraent was more effective than it ever
was before or since. At the 'reorganization he was de
feated for the Colonelcy by Fitz Lee, now Major-General
of Cavalry. In July following. Gen. Jones Avas appointed
Colonel of the 7th Virginia Cavalry, Ashby's old regi
raent. Upon the announcement of his being appointed
to that command, the officers of the regiraent, with a
single exception, tendered their resignations; but they
soon found that he Avas a fine officer, and all became very
much pleased with hira. He led this regiment gallantly
in a desperate fight at Orange Court-House, having but
100 men in his attack on 1600 Yankee cavalry, and suc
ceeded in driving the enemy out of the village.
On the 19th of September following, he was promoted
to Brigadier-General, and was assigned to the command
of Robertson's Brigade. In October, Gen. Jackson left
the Valley of Virginia, to reinforce Gen. Lee at Fred
ericksburg. Gen. Jones was then left in command of
the Valley District. He withdrew his Brigade to New
Market about the 23d of December. Bad weather of
winter soon set in, and his comraand being wild and un
disciplined, he determined to act only on the defensive
until he could reorganize and discipline his Brigade, and
thereby have them in readiness for the early spring cam
paign. During the Avinter, Gen. Jones kept courts-mar
tial at AVork, punishing those who deserted, &c.
When spring opened, he had moulded this confused
mass of fine material into a most magnificent brigade,
well disciplined, Avell arined and equipped. During the
latter part of Avinter, all the members of the Legislature
from the Valley became very much dissatisfied AA'ith his
management of affairs there, and petitioned the Secretary
of War to haA'e him removed. Scouts returning on the
25th of February, 1863, reported to the Captain com
raanding picket near Strasburg, how a Yankee picket at
Kernstowu might be captured. The young Captain,
glowing with enthusiasra, and eager for the fray, started
with his party that night to capture them.
The next morning (26th) daAvued on a party of brave

GENERAL JONES. 385
Marylanders, leading up the Valley eleven Yankee
captives. Soon they were pursued by 480 Yankee cav
alry, (13th Pennsylvania and 1st New York,) who drove
in Gen. Jones's pickets above Strasburg, and followed
them nearly to Woodstock. News having been conveyed
by the pickets to Gen. Jones that the enemy were ad
vancing, he at once ordered out the 7th and llth Regi
ments Virginia Cavalry, and started with his staff to
meet the eneray.
At Mowrytown he came in sight of them, and halted
till his regiraents could come up. Soon the llth came
well closed up. The General at once moved down to
attack the eneray, knowing that a vigorous attack would
make up for his great disparity in numbers ; for he only
had 120 men to attack 480 ; nevertheless he ordered a
charge and led off The enemy did not discover that they
were about to be attacked until the General at the head
ofthe llth, was within 100 yards of them. Their rear
guard was disraounted ; and ere they could mount, the
General had dashed past them, and was pushing on after
the rest of the Yankees, who were flying in wild confu
sion, hotly pursued by the llth. They yvere hotly pressed
until they had gotten Iavo miles beloAV Strasburg. The
llth, having taken about as many prisoners as it had in
the beginning of the fight, abandoned the pursuit, and
the enemy thinking they were safe, stopped to rest, and
dismounted at Cedar Creek. Soon the 7th cama down
at a rapid trot. The General at once ordered Colonel
Dulany to charge them as soon as he came in sight.
Coming in sight of them, and seeing that he had a nar-
roAV bridge across which to charge, the Colonel detached
one company and sent it to the right, to cross the stream
below the bridge and strike the euemy in flank. This
struck the enemy Avith terror, and he again broke in
wild confusion, hotly pursued by the 7th, Avhich overtook
tbe Yankees at MiddletoAvn Avith draAvn sabres. Here
they killed, wounded, and captured a large number of
Yankees and pursued them nearly to Newtown. The
General with his own two regiments then started back
to camp, carrying up with him 190 prisoners. The

386 GENERAL JONES.
killed and wounded in this engagement would make the
entire loss of the enemy 230 men.
This victory did away with the petition of the Valley
Legislators. On the 21st of April .following. Gen. Joubs
started with all his available force to NorthAvestern
Virginia. On this trip he accomplished a great deal
with very little cost to himself He killed, Avounded,
and captured 750 of the enemy, brought out 1200 horses,
1000 cattle, destroyed 750 small arras, 1 piece of artil
lery, 16 bridges, and one tunnel on the Baltimore and
Ohio and Northwestern Virginia Railroad. His com
mand marched 32 days under the most trying circum
stances. He also destroyed the oil-Avells on the Little
Kanawha, together with all the machinery and 150,000
barrels of oil. Returning by way of Lewisburg to the
Valley, he was imraediately ordered to Culpeper Court-
House, to join Gen. Stuart, who at once commenced
having grand reviews. Gen. Jones's Brigade was camped
one mile north of Brandy Station, and to the left of the
railroad. Beckham's Battalion of artillery was camped
tAVO miles north of Brandy Station and one raile in front
of Gen. Jones's Brigade. There was nothing but one
company of cavalry between the artillery and the enemy
on picket.
On the morning of the 9th of June, the enemy dashed
across the Rappahannock and attacked the pickets .at
daylight. This company on picket made a desperate
resistance. Hearing the firing. Gen. Jones started at
once to the scene of action. When he passed the artil
lery eamp, the men were asleep, the horses were grazing
in a large field, and the pickets fighting desperately not
half a mile in advance of the camp. Just at this time
the 6th Virginia Cavalry came down the road at a gal
lop to the support of its pickets. The General at once
ordered it to charge on the right of the road, and to
fight desperately in order to save the artillery. Soon
the Tth Virginia Cavalry came, and it was ordered to
charge on the left of the road. These two regiments
fought well, and checked the enemy till the horses
could be caught, harnessed, hitched to, and the artillery

GENERAL JONES. 387
moved into a position of usefulness. The remainder of
the Brigade having noAv taken positioii near the artillery,
the 6th and 7th Regiments were ordered to retire on the
right and left of the road.
The enemy noAV advanced to the edge of the woods
and deployed footmen as skirmishers. Thinking that
he Avould draw them out of the woods, the 12th Regi
ment was ordered to charge the sharpshooters. This
regiment went boldly ahead until Avithin about thirty
paces of the Avoods, Avhen they received a terrible volley,
and were at the same time charged by cavalry. The
fight noAv became general, and the whole Brigade was
engaged in less than five minutes. Victory crowned his
efi'orts, and the euemy were again driven back through
the woods.
By this time Gen. Hampton had taken position on
Gen. Jones's right, and Gen. W. H. F. Lee on his left.
Gen. Stuart Avas uoav on the field. Soon a courier came
post-haste, saying the enemy held Brandy Station in the
rear. Three regiments from Jones's Brigade were imme
diately sent to meet them, but were so far outnumbered
that they sent for more assistance. Hampton had, been
withdraAvn frora Jones's right, and Jones was left to hold
his position with only one battery and two regiments^ of
cavalry. Soon another order from Gen. Stuart came,
calling everything to his assistance at the Miller House.
All was noAv withdrawn and hurried on to Gen. Stuart.
The llth coming in sight, charged by Gen. Jones's order,
carried the hill, captured a battery of three guns, and
drove the enemy from every position, thus making the
day glorious.
Later in the day the enemy made an effort to turn
Gen. Jones's left, but Avere met proraptly by Gen. W. H.
F. Lee, and driven back. Being satisfied with his day's
work, the enemy retired to the north bank of the river,
and by dark Gen. Jones had re-established his pickets
where they had been driven from in the morning.
Every one well acquainted with the ups and downs of
that day, must say that Gen. Jones, by his unprecedented
vigilance and courage, saved Gen. Stuart from a most

388 GENERAL JONES.
shameful surprise and disastrous defeat. Had it not
been for the promptness aul vigor Avith yvhich Gen.
Jones met the enemy on this occasion, all of Gen Stuart's
Battalion (16 pieces) of Artillery must have been lost.
About the 18th of June, cavalry fighting commenced
at Middleburg. On the 21st, Gen. Jones, being camped
at Union, Loudon County, received orders from General
Stuart, in case he heard the firing on the Middleburg
and Upperville pike receding, that he must fall hack
in the direction of Upperville and join him (Gen. Stuart)
at that point. The firing was soon heard receding rap
idly. The enemy were now making demonstrations in
Gen. Jones's front. He determined to move in the exe
cution of his orders, and started towards Upperville.
About one mile and a half from Upperville, Gen. Jones
formed a junction with Col. Chambliss' (Gen. W. H. F.
Lee's) Brigade, Avho was falling back tOAvards the same
point ; but ere they could reach Upperville, Gen. Stuart
had been driven back through there, and in attempting to
join Stuart, he was attacked by vastly superior numbers
of the eneray. Here ensued one of the raost desperate
cavalry fights of the war ; but being outnumbered so far,
he was compelled to retire, which he did in good order,
and joined Gen. Stuart at Paris. In this fight Gen. Jones
infiicted on the eneray a heavier loss than he sustained
himself On the following day the enemy retired to
Middleburg, and Gen. Jones moved to Snickersville and
picketed the roads to Leesburg and Aldie.
On the 24th of June he was ordered by Brig.-General
Robertson to move to Berryville, thence by Avay of WU
liamsport into Pennsylvania.
On the 3d of July, Gen. Jones received orders, in the
absence of Gen. Robertson, to raove some cavalry in the
direction of Fairfield. He at once moved his brigade
towards the point designated. About tAvo miles from Fair
field, Gen. Jones encountered the 6th U. S. Regular Cav
alry, and at once ordered the 7th Virginia to charge,
which failed to drive the enemy from his position. The
6th Virginia was then ordered to charge, and made one
of the most brilliant charges of the war. It was entirely

GENERAL JONES. 389
successful, and the fruits of this fight were 210 killed,
wounded, and prisoners. But for the timely arrival of
Gen. Jones at this point, all the wagons of Gen. Stuart's
Division must have fallen an easy prey to the enemy.
On the 4th. of July, Gen. Ewell's wagon-train com
menced passing Fairfield.
Late in the evening a report came, that the enemy
were advancing on the Emmettsburg and Waynesboro'
road. Gen. Jones knew that the wagon-train was in
great danger in passing Monterey, and asked that he
might go with his brigade to that point for its protection.
This was granted, and his command was immediately
put in motion. Having a very narrow and difficult road
to travel up the side of the mountain, it was impossible
for the command to pass the wagon-train. They were
ordered to folloAV as rapidly as possible ; and the General
with his staff raoved as speedily as possible to Monterey,
on the top of South Mountain.
When he arrived there, soon after dark, he found
Capt. Emack with his company of Marylanders, and
one piece of artillery to protect the passing train. Gen.
Jones immediately ordered all of his couriers to dis
mount and assist this company, which Avas hard pressed
by a Division of Federal cavalry, with thirty-two pieces
of artillery.
Soon after Gen. Jones left Fairfield, Gen. Robertson
ordered the 7th Virginia Cavalry to remain with him,
and ordered Gen. Jones to take Col. Farrabee's regiment
of his brigade, already on the road to Monterey, with
him. Col. Farrabee's regiment was accordingly ordered
up as rapidly as possible. The brave company of Mary
landers were encouraged with the hope of speedy rein
forcements, and were exhorted to fight to the end. Capt.
Emack had but two rounds of grape for his howitzer, and
Gen. Jones told him to lose his piece there, if it had to be
lost. When Col. Farrabee's regiment arrived, they were
dismounted and sent to the assistance of the gallant
Emack's company. The enemy were thus held in check
from dark until twelve o'clock at night, when they re-

390 GENERAL JONES.
sorted to a charge of cavalry, which swept everything
before it. The eneray having passed Gen. Jones' troops,
he stood Avith his staff, to give them a volley. As the
enemy came, he fired, and made his escape amid the con
fusion of wagons, stragglers, etc. He then proceeded to
WiUiamsport, where a large number of wagons had
already arrived.
Here he found the wagons of our whole army in a
helpless condition, the river so swollen that they could
not possibly cross, and no troops to protect them. He
immediately assumed command, and organized the team
sters into companies, leaving one man to five teams.
On the 6th of July, Gen. Imboden with his command
arrived, and also two regiments frora Martinsburg. Hav
ing straightened affairs, and put everything in fighting
trim, he resolved to turn over to Gen. Imboden the pro
tection of the trains, and left on the night of the 6th to
go through the lines of the enemy and join his coramand,
then near Hagerstown. With difficulty he succeeded.
On the evening of the 7th, General Imboden Avas at
tacked. Gen. Jones fell in rear of the eneray, and Avith
the llth Virginia charged and drove them rapidly aAvay.
As soon as the river became fordable. Gen. Jones Avas
ordered to cross the river and throAV himself in front of
Harper's Ferry. The 12th Virginia Cavalry was on
picket here, and captured one hundred prisoners, Avith
their horses, arms, and equipments. Our army having
recrossed the Potomac and moved in the direction of
Culpeper Court-House, Gen. Jones Avas left in the Valley
till the last,— and being intercepted at Front Royal by
the enemy, had to make a detour by Ncav Market and
Sperryville, and accompanied Maj .-Gen. Early's Division
to Culpeper Court-House.
On the 31st he Avas ordered to Rixieville, and was
(that day) arrested by Gen. Stuart. His trial came off"
in September, and showed that Gen. Stuart had perse
cuted him to the uttermost extremity, by arresting him
upon charges wholly unfounded, and Avhich Gen. Stuart
failed to substantiate before the court. Gen. Jones was
then relieved of his old Brigade at his oavu request, and

GENERAL JONES. 391
was ordered to report for duty to Major-Gen. Sam. Jones.
He Avas soon put in comraand of his present Brigade
near Abingdon. As the array advanced into Tennessee,
Gen. Jones occupied the extreme left. He left his camp
at Carter Depot, Nov. 4th, in obedience to orders from
Major-Gen. Ransom, and moved in the direction of Rog-
ersville. When Avithin twenty-two miles of Rogers ville.
Gen. Jones ascertained that it would be impracticable
to make the attack as Gen. Ransom had directed, and
made a detour to the right, crossing the river twelve
miles above Rogersville, and arrived in town in rear of
the enemy before they were aware of his approach, and
hefore Col. Giltner attacked the pickets in front. Here
Gen. Jones, assisted by Col. Giltner, captured eight hun
dred and fifty Yankees, four guns, forty wagons, one
thousand stand of small arms, &c.
Soon Gen. Jones was ordered to KnoxviUe, with his
own and Giltner's brigades, to report to Lieut.-Gen.
Longstreet. Soon Longstreet abandoned the siege and
fell back to Rogersville.
About the 10th of December, Gen. Jones was attacked
at MorristoAvn by a Division of Federal cavalry, and was
driven from his position. He hoAvever fell back half a
mile, re-formed his line, and advanced into the town
again, when the enemy retired in the direction of Bean's
Station. On the 14th of December, Gen. Jones moved
Avith his own aud Giltner's brigades to Thorn Hill,
where he captured thirty-five six-mule Avagons, sixty
prisoners with their arms, &c.
On the 1st of January, 1864, Gen. Jones was camped
at Little War Gap iu Clinch Mountain, and received
information of a battalion of Yankee cavalry being
camped at Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. He de
terrained to surprise and capture them. He commenced
the march at 10 o'clock, p. m., on the night of the 2d
of January. The night was exceedingly cold. The
thermometer stood ten degrees below zero. On this
march Iavo men were frozen to death and many frost
bitten. At sunrise on the 3d of January, he attacked
the enemy in rear, and killed, wounded, and captured

392 GENERAL JONES.
four hundred and six Yankees. He also captured three
pieces of artillery, twenty-seven wagons and teams, in a
AVord, the entire camp and garrison equipage, together
with all their horses and arms. On the 21st of Febru
ary, Gen. Jones received inforraation that the llth
Tennessee (Federal) Cavalry Avas camped at Wyer-
man's Mill, five railes east of Cumberland Gap. He at
once deterrained to surprise and capture this force, if
possible. His command was in motion by 12 o'clock
on the night of the 21st, and he attacked the enemy in
rear again, at daylight. Here he killed thirteen,
wounded many, and captured two hundred and fifty-six
prisoners, eight wagons, three hundred stand of small
arras, one hundred horses, and many tents.
Nothing more of interest occurred for several weeks
than the usual skirmishes incident to cavalry picket
duty. Gen. Jones continued to forage in Lee County,
until about the 10th of March, when he could no longer
get supplies there ; he was ordered to move his comraand
through Russell and Tazewell counties to Wythe, Avhere,
if he could not glean his supplies from the country, his
command might be supplied by railroad. Gen. Long-
street was now moving his army as rapidly as possible
to Gen. Lee's assistance, and Gen.' Jones received or
ders while in Burke's Garden, Tazewell County, to move
his command to Saltville at once, to defend it from a
threatened raid by Averill, Avho was advancing up the
Louisa Fork of Sandy. As soon as his command arrived
at Saltville, he sent out scouts to ascertain the truth of
the report, and found the enemy advancing. He kept
his troops Avithin the fortifications, hoping that Averill
would be foolhardy enough to attack him, but finding
he Avould not. Gen. Jones ordered Lieut.-Col. A. F. Cook,
commanding his old brigade, to move tOAvards JeflTerson-
ville, Tazewell County, to ascertain, if possible, the raove
raents and strength of the eneray. Col. Cook moved to
Jeffersonville, Avhere he had a slight skirmish, and as
certained the enemy were moving in the direction of
Wytheville, to strike our line of comraunication. He
then raoved as rapidly as he could to Wytheville to

GENERAL JONES. 393
meet the enemy. When he arrived there, he found
Gen. Morgan just preparing to receive the enemy, and
after a fierce contest of two hours, the two brigades
routed the eneray ; and had not darkness interfered, they
would doubtless have captured nearly the whole of Aver-
ill's force. The Federal General, Crook, with a large
force, was now advancing on the railroad by the Ncav
River Narrows, and Gen. Jenkins was falling back be
fore thera to Dublin Depot. On the night of May 4th,
Gen. Jones sent all of his infantry he could spare to
Dublin to Gen. Jenkins's assistance. They arrived in
time to participate in the engagement at Cloyd's farm
on the 5th, where Gen. Jenkins received a mortal wound,
and his army was badly defeated. The eneray now had
possession of the railroad, and at once set to work to
destroy it as much as possible by burning all the bridges
within his reach, and then returned to Lewisburg.
By this time Hunter was preparing for another ad
vance up the Valley, and Gen. Imboden needed assist
ance. Gen. Lee having no troops to spare, ordered Gen.
Jones to reinforce .Gen. Imboden with as many troops
as he could spare from his department. In compliance
with this order. Gen. Jones started at once by railroad to
Staunton with his entire infantry fierce, except Jackson's
skeleton brigade of infantry which reraained at Saltville.
Gen. Morgan's cavalry brigade was left in Wythe, and
Gen. Jones ordered his own brigade of cavalry, under
Lieut.-Col. H. A. Edmondson, to march to Staunton by
way of Buchanan and Lexington. Hunter was pressing
Imboden rapidly. As soon as he arrived at Staunton,
Gen. Jones marched seventeen miles down the Valley
turnpike to Mt. Crawford, and finding that Hunter had
abandoned the turnpike and taken the road to New
Hope, he moved across to New Hope and barely had
time to form his lines before Hunter commenced the
attack ; and here perhaps was fought one of the fiercest
and most hotly-contested battles of the war. Gen. Jones
was perfectly sanguine of success, and it is believed by
many, had he have lived five minutes longer, that suc
cess would have croAvned his efforts ; but unfortunately

394 GENERAL JONES.
for the country he was killed, and the sad tidings of his
death spread along his lines almost as rapidly as if by the
magnetic telegraph, creating dismay and confusion ; con
sequently the day was lost and a rout ensued. Not five
minutes before his death, he reraarked to his Adjutant-
General, — " We have whipped thera ; their train is mov
ing off. I wish we had some cavalry to save it." To
which his Adjutant-General, Captain W. K. Martin,
replied, " McNeil's company is here and not engaged."
"Ah," replied the General, slapping his hands to
gether, " order McNeil to watch it, and not to let it
escape." Capt. Martin commenced writing the order
at once, and before he could finish it the General Avas
killed, and all was confusion. His own cavalry brigade
had not yet arrived, and the news of his death met them
at Lexington. Never did any command seem to lament
the fate of its commanding officer more than did this
Brigade that of its General.

APPENDIX.

LETTERS.

FROM AN UNFINISHED MANUSCRIPT OF CAPT. ASHBY TO
GEN. J. E. JOHNSTON.
Potomac Furnace, May 2'!th, 1861.
Gen. Johnston,
Sir : I have just received orders from Col. Stuart, of
the 1st Regiment of Cavalry, to report to him as my com
manding officer, and accompanying the order is one by
your order, placing me under his orders. Thinking
there is some misapprehension upon your part which
has resulted in this order, I beg to call your attention to
the fact of my being in a different regiment from the
one Col. Stuart commands, and only twelve miles from
the Colonel of my own regiment, who has already issued
an order for me to report to him as soon as I am relieved
from duty on detached service. I have been acting here
under Col. Jackson's orders direct, and was led to be
lieve, in the conversation had with you on the day you
took coramand, that I was to receive all orders from you
direct, and was to make reports to you direct. If I am
mistaken, please let me know.
REPLY OF GEN. JOHNSTON.
Heabqvaiiters, Harper's Fkrrv, )
June llth, 1861. J
Captain : I have had the honor to receive your note,
of this date, referring to our conversation of yesterday,
and to a note to Col. Smith, on the same subject, from
Col. Jackson. (896)

396 APPENDIX.
With every desire to oblige and gratify you, my views
of the public interest compel me to adhere to the opinion
I expressed yesterday, that I cannot, without injury to
the body of troops under my coramand, relieve you from
duty in this district. Like Col. Jackson, I am ready to
do " all in ray power consistent with the interest of the
public service, to reraedy the sacrifice^ Avhich this change
of station requires."
But, permit rae to ask you to consider, how few of us
are serving in our own sections of the State ; and how
small the body of cavalry under ray comraand is, com
pared with the service required of it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. Johnston,
Brigadier- General CS. A.
To Captain Tdkner Ashby,
Virginia Cavalry.

The following rough draught, written with a pencil,
has been found araong Gen. Ashby's papers, — evidently
intended as a reply to the above. Harper's Febrt, June \2th, 1861.
General: I have the honor to acknowledge the re
ceipt to-day of your comraunication of yesterday's date,
in which you are pleased to say that, with every desire
to oblige and gratify me, yaur views of the public inter
ests compel you to adhere to the opinion you expressed
yesterday, that you cannot without injury to the body
of troops under your command relieve me from duty in
this district, etc. ; and you are pleased to add : "But per
mit me to ash you to consider, how few of us are serving
in our own sections of the Siate." The question put to
me implies that I have, in my attempt to ascertain and
vindicate the rights of my raen, and my own, taken the
ignoble ground that my devotion and the devotion of
those under my comraand to the great cause in yvhich
we have staked and are still willing to stake oUr lives,
and, what to a soldier should be still dearer — our

LETTERS. 397
honor, is cribbed Avithin the section which contains our
homes ! God forbid, sir, that I, or they, should be so
understood ! Surely, what I have said, or written, can
not fairly be so interpreted. We, like the rest of Vir
ginia's forces noAV in the field, carae as volunteers. As
such we wish to continue. No press-gang captured and
corapelled us to bear arras in defence of our State. We
desire still to serve as volunteers, in such manner and
form as we first engaged. We protest against being
captured by military technicalities, and bound in bonds
which must cramp, if not crush out the spirit which
voluntarily sprang forward to serve our State. A sur
render of my commission would emancipate me at once.
But, as their captain, it becomes my duty to ascertain
and protect the rights of my officers and men. And I
feel sure from all that I have learned of your history,
and what I have seen of yourself, that I would not de
serve, and could not secure your confidence or respect,
if as a soldier and an officer, I should show myself so
dull as not to prize, or so craven as not to assert and
vindicate the rights of my command as well as my own.
The proclaraation of the Governor of this State, of the
date  instant, turns over to the Confederate States
the volunteer forces of Virginia expressly by regiments,
thus distinctly recognizing the volunteer organization,
which brought her sons into ^he field. Can it be in the
military power of any officer ranking the colonels or
commandants of regiments, to disregard the principle
so carefully preserved and emphatically declared in the
proclaraation of the Governor ? To have passed it over
Avithout guarding it, yvould have been bad faith towards
all who had entered the service as volunteers, influenced
in a great degree by the consideration that their regi
mental associates would be of their neighbors, friends,
and kindred.
Bear with me, sir, if you please, whilst I bring to your
consideration additional facts, which properly connect
themselves with the statement already submitted.
When I received your order to burn the bridge at
the Point of Rocks and abandon the post, I had a pain
ed

398 APPENDIX.
ful appreciation of the facilities Avhich the execution of
the order would afford to the enemy to raove upon our
forces at Leesburg, flanking those at Manassas Junction.
I believed the post to be Avithin the military district com
manded originally by General P. St. Geo. Cocke ; yet,
knowing that your predecessors in the coramand of this
post had ordered the defences prepared at that point, I
did not hesitate proraptly to obey your order, to destroy
the bridge and abandon the position, and bring with me
to this point the troops there stationed, as well as those
at the Berlin bridge. This order did not command me
to report to you ; and, perhaps, that would have been the
proper tirae for rae to have reported for orders to my
regimental commander. But desiring to manifest all
respect to your authority, I felt called upon to report
that I had executed your order, — not dreaming that I
should thereby so sever myself and company from my
regiment and the military district within which it is
bound to do duty.
I trust, sir, you will not suff'er any mistake made by
me, under the promptings of respect for your authority,
to prejudice ray rights or furnish ground to hold me and
my men in duress.
My Avaiit of military experience, and ignorance of
martial law possibly, probably causes me to make but
a feeble presentation of my case. I pray you, sir, not to
permit this to prejudice my application. If I have not
proceeded in accordance with precedents, or approved
forms, instruct me how I should, that Ave raay be eraan
cipated frora Avhat I regard as a technical imprisonment,
and my corapany and rayself be restored to our rights
and privileges, and recover the spirits (noAV depressed)
of volunteers in the service of our country.
I have the honor to remain, sir,
Respectfully, your obedient servant.

To Brig.-General Johnston,
Commanding Force.i at Harper's Ferry, etc.

LETTERS. 399
This manly appeal probably elicited the following : —
IlEABQUAnTERS ArMY OF THE PoTOJIAC )
July 2Zil, Mil. '\
Colonel: You have been appointed a Lieutenant--
Colonel in the Virginia Cavalry, Avith orders to report to
General Johnston.
The General directs me to say, that he will leave it
optional Avith yourself either to remain with Colonel
McDonald, or report to hiraself
Respectfully your obedient servant,
Thos. G. Rhett,

To Colonel Turner Ashby,
Vinjliiia Cavalry.

A. A. General.

The folloAving letter will explain the effect of Ashby's
conduct upon one of the first military men of the age :
Harper's Ferry, June \6th, 1S61.
Captain : Your party has just reported to me.
Let me offer you my cordial thanks for your services,
— especially the last. I assure you that the knoAvledge
that you Avere between us and the enemy raade rae sleep
very soundly last night ; and that your presence among
the troops, under my command, would always have such
an effect.
Whenever I may be serving under circumstances agree
able to you, be assured that it Avould be a matter both of
professional and personal gratification to me, to be asso
ciated Avith you.
With the hope of meeting you often hereafter,
I remain, respectfully and truly,
J. E. Johnston.

400 APPENDIX.

LETTER FEOM GEN. T. J. JACKSON.
Near Mount Jackson, )
7.40 p. M., March 19(7,, 1S62. J
My dear Colonel: On the opposite page is a list of
bridges between Strasburg and Mount Jackson, so far as
I have succeeded in ascertaining their names. Not only
destroy every bridge, but use every raeans of delaying
an advance.
The Militia will begin to arrive here to-raorrow.
Please let rae hear from you where the enemy is upon
the receipt of this, and give the hour of writing, and
how far you suppose the enemy will be able to advance
to-morrow frora what you have seen to-day.
I wish you would establish a relay between us, so as
to transrait despatches as rapidly as practicable.
You had better take plenty of time before the enemy
coraes up for burning the bridges. I would rather have
all the railroad bridges burnt at once, than leave a single
one to fall into the hands of the eneray. Do you know
who is in comraand of the Federals ? The moment an
advance is made, please inform me.
Very truly yours,
T. J. Jackson,
Major- General.
To Colonel Turner Ashby,
Commanding Cavali-y.

GEN. JACKSON TO COL. ASHBY.
Headquarters, April 7th, 1862.
Dear Colonel: Yours ofthis raorning, Avith its accom
panying papers, has been received. Have the deserters
from the 5th Ohio Regiraent arrested and sent to the
Provost-Marshal, at NeAv Market, by ray order ; and let
rae know the narae of the other man, Avho is said to be
offered $5000 to deliver you to the enemy. In these
times men must be above suspicion.

LETTERS. 401
•rhe information I desire from beyond the lines, is the
position of the enemy's forces, their nurabers and move
ments, what Generals are in command, and their head
quarters, and especially the headquarters of the Com
manding General. Very truly yours,
T. J. Jackson.
To Colonel Turner Ashby,
Commanding Cavalry.
P. S. — I wish you would constantly keep a cavalry
picket in Fort Valley, and also in the valley of the South
Fork. They need not be large. All that is necessary
is to keep me advised of any movement of the enemy in
those directions.
There may be necessity for sending sorae one to N. T.
I will ask the question, and, if answered affirmatively,
will let you know. So far as our operations here are
concerned, it is hardly necessary.
I would like to have the line established for getting
information beyond the lines ; and whatever action is
required on my part, please let me know.
1 especially desire to know when troops come into the
district, and Avhen they leave it ; or, rather, when there
is reason to believe that they design leaving it.
I wish you would make me a report — to-night, if
practicable — of the cavalry on our left flank, on the
day of the battle. I am disposed to think that  ¦
 neglected his duty there.
T. J. J.

GEN. JACKSON TO COL. ASHBY.
Headquarters, April IQth, 1862.
My dear Colonel: I fear that the enemy may attempt
to turn you or attack you on the flank. If Banks was
not reinforced yesterday by Abercrombie and Blenker,
he probably Avill be to-day with ten or twelve thousand
34*

402 APPENDIX.
infantry, eighteen pieces of artillery, and a regiment of
Ncav York caA'alry.
When you are satisfied that you will not require the
infantry any longer to-day, let it return. Also .send
back the artillery, except Avhat belongs to Chew. And
if the enemy advance, and you have an opportunity of
retarding him Avithout endangering your command, do
so, but let the safety of your command be the controlling
thought Avith you. As you fall back, continue to burn
the bridges, also the railroad cars, at Mt. Jackson. Ma
jor Harman has raade an arrangeraent for burning thera,
but as he Avill not be there in person, I desire you to send
sorae one to raake sure AVork. Keep guards over the two
bridges this side of Mt. Jackson until after all your force
reaches this side of the Shenandoah. Your position is
one which requires a careful Avatch on your left and
rear, as the enemy is in your front, and the river on
your right. Yours very truly,
T. J. Jackson.

FROM GEN. E. S. EWELL TO COL. ASHBY. May lllh, 1862.
CoL. Turner Ashby,
Dear Colonel : I am very glad to learn the improve
ment in your, health.
When you are able to move, I should like to see you
very rauch, as I am tired of Avaiting here. Gen. Jack
son has stayed much longer than I anticipated.
If I hear nothing definite frora him in a few days, I
expect to be obliged to go back. My infantry scouts
are picking up a few prisoners occasionally, and we
have had several successful skirmishes.
I have heard they are preparing for a move — three
days' cooked rations. Fisher's or Milam's Gap and
Thornton's are guarded by me. I am somcAvhat inclined
to think they raay be sending oflT troops by way of Stras
burg to Fredericksburg. Do any of your agents men-

LETTERS. 403
tion such a move? It is the most important item to be
looked into at this time. I Avould be obliged to you to
give orders that your pickets advise rae of any raove
ment of the eneray. Should there be any regularity in
their expeditions towards Harrisonburg, I Avould try to
interrupt them. Yours, &c.,
R. S. Ewell, Maj.- Gen.

Headquarters A'alley District, ]
ilay lith, 1862, 7.40 a. m. j
CoL. Turner Ashby, commanding Cavalry Valley
District.
Colonel: Major-Gen. R. S. Ewell is of the opinion
that Banks is on his way to Fredericksburg. • If Banks
is thus moving, it is important to destroy, as far as prac
ticable, the Manaisas Gap Railroad, and I have suggested
the propriety of sending yours and, his cavalry forward
for this purpose. If you believe that you can effect it, I
hope you will take steps at once for accomplishing this
very desirable object. With the exception of tAvo com
panies, I expect to direct the cavalry that is Avith me to
join you, but do not delay your raoveraents by Avaiting
for their arrival. They should be in Harrisonburg on
Friday, via Harrisonburg and Warm Spring turnpike.
Respectfully, your obd't servant,
T. J. Jackson,
Major-Oen.

Headquarters Valley District, \
June ith, 1862. J
Special Order, \
No.  I
All the cavalry is hereby placed under the command
of Brig.-Gen. Ashby.
The 2d Brigade, Army of N. V., Col. W. C. Scott

404 APPENDIX.
commanding, is assigned to the command of Brig.-Gen.
George H. Stuart.
By order Maj.-Gen. Jackson. A. S. Pendleton, Ass't A. A. G.
Bhiq.-Gen. Ashby.

the ashby memorial association.
At a meeting of the survivors of the Ashby (Laurel)
Brigade in one of the school-rooms of the Dunbar
Female Seminary, Winchester, Va., on the morning of
the 25th of October, on raotion. Colonel R. W. Baylor,
of Jefferson, was called to the chair, and, as a matter
of compliment to a gallant soldier. Major W. W. Golds
borough, of the Maryland Line, was requested to act as
Secretary. The Chairraan explained the object of the meeting to
be that of organizing the " Ashby Memorial Associa
tion," and after expressing his great pleasure upon
seeing the inauguration of an enterprise so coraraenda
ble of itself and so like the good men and true Avho had
worn the badge of the Laurel in the proud days of the
past, declared that a motion to proceed to the appoint
ment of regular officers of the Association was now in
order. On motion of Capt. John Pendleton, of Clarke, the
following gentlemen were placed in nomination and were
unaniraously elected, viz. :
For President: — Colonel R.W. Baylor,. of Jefferson
County. For Vice-Presidents: — Col. E. V. White, of Loudon;
Major Ed. H. McDonald, of Clarke ; Col. Preston CheAV,
of Jefferson; Capt. Isaac Kuykendall, of Hampshire;
Col. William Harness, of Hardy ; Lieut. James H. Wil
liaras, of Shenandoah ; Col. T. B. Massie, of Warren ;
Lieut.-Col. Daniel Hatcher, of Fauquier; Capt. Ben.

APPENDIX. 405
Crarapton, of Maryland ; Dr. A. P. Burns, of Maryland ;
^?,\: Jo^ ^"'1' °^ Frederick County-; Capt. Murat
Willis, of Rappahannock; Capt. John Q. Winfield, of
Rockingham; Capt. E. C. Randolph, of Albemarle-
Col. O'Farrall, of Augusta ; Capt. Ware, of Bath ; Col.'
Johu Q. Naidcnbouscb, of Berkeley; Capt. E. K. Martin,
of Richmond City ; Capt. Macon Jordan, of Page ; Oapt!
Wm. Miller, of Baltimore, Md. ; Col. M. Dulaney Ball,
of Alexandria ; Capt. Geo. Baylor, Washington College,
Lexington, Va.
For Secretary and Treasurer : — Rev. Jaraes B. Avi
rett, of Winchester, Va.
Executive Committee : — Col. O. R. Funsten, of Clarke,
Chairman; Philip Williaras, Esq., Winchester ; Wm.'
R. Denny, Esq., Winchester ; Col. L. T. Moore, Win
chester ; Major Robert W. Hunter, Winchester ; Capt.
Lewis N. Huck, Winchester ; John M. Miller, Esq.,
Frederick County, Va.
On raotion, it Avas
Resolved, That each one of the above-named Vice-
Presidents be requested to appoint in their several coun
ties and cities such Committees of Ladies as may best
subserve the raising of funds for the Ashby Monument,
and, that the names of the Committee forwarding the
largest araount to the Treasurer of the Association, will
be inscribed in a copy of the Scriptures deposited under
the corner-stone of the monument.
Resolved, That the officers of the Ashby (Laurel)
Brigade comraanding companies at the close of the war,
be, and they are hereby required to forward to the Sec
retary of the Association, an accurate roll of their several
companies from their organizations throughout the war,
carefully noting those killed, wounded, or made prison
ers, those conspicuous for gallantry, as well as those Avho
deserted, and that said rolls, after they are carefully re
vised by the officers coraraanding regiraents, be placed
in the box, hermetically sealed, under said corner-stone.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Association be and
are hereby tendered to Capt. E. C. Randolph, and through

406 APPENDIX.
him to the Faculty and Students ofthe State University
for their syrapathy and material aid in the removal of
Gen. Ashby's remains from Charlottesville to their
present place of interment — " StoneAvall Cemetery,"
Winchester, Va.
Resolved, That Col. R. W. Baylor be requested to
tender the thanks of the Association to the Ladies of
Jefferson, Avho, loving to honor Gen. Ashby Avhile living,
did not forget him when dead.
Resolved, That these proceedings of the Association
be published in the papers of the South Branch and
Shenandoah Valleys, and that the Conservative press of
Maryland and Virginia be requested to copy.
Resolved, That the Association do now adjourn to
meet in this roora the 6th of June, 1867, the sarae being
the day set apart for the Floral Offering to the Con
federate dead, and the 5th Anniversary of Gen. Ashby's
death. (Signed,) R. W. Bayloe, President.
Wm. W. Goldsborough, Secretary.

COLONEL WILLIAM A. MORGAN.
first ViriGlXIA CAVALRY, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIHGINIA.
Among those Avho, by irapulse as Avell as by special
invitation, went to Winchester to pay his earnest tribute
of love and honor to the raeraory of our beloved Ashby,
Avas that gallant and distinguished officer, Col. William
A. Morgan, of Jefferson County.
Upon several occasions, after the death of General
Ashby, he had been assigned teraporarily to the com
mand of the brigade; and how worthily he discharged
the rc.-ponsible and honorable trust reposed in hira, cau
be judged by the fact, that, Avhen his arrival in their
midst Avas kiioAvn, the officers of the brigade, then in
council,* resolved, as a mark of their respect, to receive
him all standing.
* Organizing " Tlio Ashby Memorial Association," 25th October, 1866.

COLONEL MORGAN. 407

All present on that occasion will remeraber his
chivalrie and soldierly bearing, as he entered the room
to receive the greeting of his former comrades-in-arms.
He looked every inch a soldier, and although his sword
had been laid aside in obedience to circumstances, it was
evident his armor was still kept burnished and ready
for use at the call of duty and honor.
His gallant service with the Laurel (Ashby) Brigade,
to say nothing of his conspicuous heroism throughout
the Avhole of his military career, Avill, I trust, justify the
extended notice of this officer, not only as a tribute to
his modesty and worth, but also as a debt to history,
and a gratification to his many friends, of whom he is so
justly the pride.
Colonel Morgan Avas the oldest of three brothers,
all of whom leaped into the saddle at the first call of
their State, to protect her safety and honor. They Avere
among the very first to reach Harper's Ferry (only ten
miles distant from their home), where the bloody fray
began, and they all continued faithful unto the end,
never wavering for an instant.
The one next younger than the Colonel, Daniel, Avas
huried the day of the surrender at Apporaattox, (haviug
died two days before, of Avounds received on the retreat
of the Confederate forces from Petersburg) ; and thus,
by a remarkable coincidence, the sun of his hopes and
that of the Confederacy, for which he suffered martyr
dom, rose and set at the same time.
The tAVO began the struggle together ; they remained
faithful friends throughout the terrific strife ; and they
both at last found their graves on the same day and
about the same moment.
Col. Morgan began his career as captain of the bhep-
herdstown troop, which Avas incorporated with the 1st
Regiment Virginia Cavalry, then comraanded by Lieut.-
Colonel (afterwards General) J. E. B. Stuart. This
regiment became famous, not only for its proAvess m
battle, but also for having been commanded by Stuart,
William E. Jones, Fitz Lee, Drake, and Morgan._ The
last-named was its last Colonel ; and, while for his per-

408 APPENDIX.
sonal and military qualities he was beloved by the whole
regiment, he always sustained its high reputation in the
field. Col. Morgan participated in over three hundred bat
tles and skirraishes, and had fourteen horses killed and
mortally wounded under him ; the last one having fallen
under him at Appomattox, a few rainutes before the
order was giA'en to cease firing. Being in command of
Paine's Brigade at the time, (that officer having been
wounded a few days before,) he succeeded in cutting his
way through the serried column ofthe enemy, and escaped
safely Avith his coramand to Lynchburg, where he after
wards disbanded it by order of General Lee.
Starting for horae with his horse, sabre, and pistols,
(everything else, including his diary and private papers,
having been destroyed on the disastrous retreat ;) his
sabre was stolen from him in crossing New Canton Ferry.
When within a few miles of his home, a party of Fed
eral soldiers forced him to give them his pistols, and
that night his horse was stolen by some unscrupulous
thief "The last was coraparatively an insignificant loss,
being a new acquaintance made on the battle-field at
Appomattox after his OAvn had been stricken down; but
the sabre and pistols had been his tried and faithful
companions throughout all his campaign and hardships.
Upon his returning to his wife and children, he found
himself reduced to the ownership of the AA'ar-worn and
bullet-pierced suit of rusty gray, Avhich covered his jaded
and manly form.
On Col. Morgan's beautiful estate in Jefi'erson County,
is the famous Morgan Spring of Revolutionary memory,
referred to so eloquently by the Hon. A. R. Boteler, in
that brilliant and patriotic speech delivered by hira in
the United States Congress just before the breaking out
of the late struggle, and Avhich thrilled the popular
heart throughout every section of the country by its
patriotic sentiments and pathos.
the end.

Biiiiiifp'nip