Surry of Eagle's-nest; or, The memoirs of a staff-officer serving in Virginia . the suburbs, when suddenly I saw twoFederal cavalrymen issue from a side street, and post themselvesin the middle of the street to intercept him. I rode rapidly for-ward to warn him of his danger ; but it was not necessary. Heturned, saw them, and charged the two men, with a glow of un-mistakable pleasure upon his features. One fell, shot throughthe heart; then, his barrels being all emptied, he seized thesecond bv the throat. I then witnessed one of those spectacles which are supposed tobe confined to romances. Bo
Surry of Eagle's-nest; or, The memoirs of a staff-officer serving in Virginia . the suburbs, when suddenly I saw twoFederal cavalrymen issue from a side street, and post themselvesin the middle of the street to intercept him. I rode rapidly for-ward to warn him of his danger ; but it was not necessary. Heturned, saw them, and charged the two men, with a glow of un-mistakable pleasure upon his features. One fell, shot throughthe heart; then, his barrels being all emptied, he seized thesecond bv the throat. I then witnessed one of those spectacles which are supposed tobe confined to romances. Borne on at a furious speed upon hispowerful white horse, Ashby dragged his adversary clear out ofthe saddle, never relaxed his clutch, and in a moment was beyondpursuit, still dragging his prisoner by the side of his horse.* A cheer rose from his men as Ashby released tlie prisoner, andcoolly looked to the disposition of his command. His face wasagain calm; the sad expression had come back; and when hesaid, Well, Major, they are laughing at us yonder, I suppose, * 3 I liJCOcc O I I- CD ILO< THE FOOT CAVALRY. 165 by this time, his voice was as sweet and gentle as when speak-ing of his dead brother. XLY. THE FOOT CAYALRT. I HAD seen Jackson advance and fight: I was now to see himretreat. The world at large, which judges of every thing super-ficially, undervalues the art of falling back; but it is one ofthe surest evidences of soldiership. Jacksons method of retiringwas cool, deliberate, and extorted ray admiration. More thanever, I saw in him those resources which make the great soldier. Ashbys cavalry brought up the rear, and he had under him abattery of horse artillery, commanded by that gallant young oflB-cer, Captain Chew. The roar of these guns was never saluted the ears of the infantry, as they lay down in theirbivouacs to snatch a few hours of slumber, and Avas their reveillewhen they opened their eyes at dawn. Mingled with the sullen roar of
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