urg, where a sharp action occurred,
resulting in the capture of many Federals--among others, Colonel Percy
Wyndham, commanding brigade, whose meeting with Major Wheat has been
described. Later, while Ewell was conversing with me, a message from
Ashby took him to the rear. Federal cavalry, supported by infantry, was
advancing on Ashby. Stewart's brigade was lying in a wood, under cover
of which Ewell placed it in position. A severe struggle ensued; the
enemy was driven, and many prisoners were taken. I had ridden back with
Ewell, and so witnessed the affair, uncommonly spirited, and creditable
to both sides. Colonel Kane of Philadelphia was among the prisoners and
painfully wounded. Having known his father, Judge Kane, as well as his
brother, the Arctic explorer, I solicited and obtained from Jackson his
parole.

Colonel Nicholls, left wounded near Winchester, had married a short time
previous to the war, and his young wife now appeared, seeking to join
her husband. Jackson referred her request to Ewell, who passed it to me.
Of this I was informed by Captain Nicholls, 8th regiment, brother to the
colonel, killed a few days after at Cold Harbor. Much cavalry
skirmishing was still going on around Harrisonburg, dangerous for a lady
to pass through; and besides, she had come from Port Republic, seen our
situation, and might be indiscreet. These considerations were stated to
Captain Nicholls, but his sister-in-law insisted on seeing me. A small,
fairy-like creature, plucky as a "Dandie Dinmont" terrier, and with a
heart as big as Massanutten, she was seated in a nondescript trap, drawn
by two mules, driven by a negro. One look from the great, tearful eyes
made of me an abject coward, and I basely shuffled the refusal to let
her pass on to Jackson. The Parthian glance of contempt that reached me
through her tears showed that the lady understood and despised my
paltering. Nicholls was speedily exchanged, became a general officer,
lost a foot at Chancellorsville, and, after leading his people up out of
captivity, is now the conservative Governor of Louisiana.

The skirmishing spoken of in the above connection developed into severe
work, in which General Ashby was killed. Alluding to his death in an
official report, Jackson says, "As a partisan officer I never knew his
superior." Like Claverhouse, "with a face that painters loved to limn
and ladies look upon," he was the most daring and accomplished rider in
a region of horsemen