rest, we all proceeded across the Shenandoah Mountains, and camped near Lurah, in Page Valley, about twelve miles from Front Royal — the rear of Banks's army in the Valley.
This requires some explanation.
When Shields found Jackson strongly posm the west.
Banks also had the same destination, having his force scattered up and down the Valley, the rear being at Front Royal.
Blenker and Milroy were similarly bound through Western Virginia, but their defeat had diverted Fremont from his prois column on the flanks, and seize the baggage.
With this object Ewell started northwards, and we southwards, towards Front Royal.
Although we had been camped within twelve miles of the latter place several days, our movements and position had beely towards Winchester to seize the fortifications, and get still farther in his rear.
We had accomplished much at Front Royal and Buckton station, and, expecting that Banks would not attempt to move for several days, were meditating proper meth
followed by Ashby, to Winchester, where he threw the guidon, with a laugh, to a friend, who afterwards had it hung up in the Library of the Capitol at Richmond.
Iii.
The work of Ashby then began in earnest.
The affair with General Banks was only a skirmish — the wars of the giants followed.
Jackson, nearly hemmed in by bitter and determined foes, fell back to escape destruction, and on his track rushed the heavy columns of Shields and Fremont, which, closing in at Strasburg and Front Royal, were now hunting down the lion.
It was then and there that Ashby won his fame as a cavalry officer, and attached to every foot of ground over which he fought some deathless tradition.
The reader must look elsewhere for a record of those achievements.
Space would fail me were I to touch with the pen's point the hundredth part of that splendid career.
On every hill, in every valley, at every bridge, Ashby thundered and lightened with his cavalry and artillery.
Bitterest of the bitter
