Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/623

Rh juncture of the greatest importance, and in that capacity he brought up the rear of the army as it advanced. He participated in operations of General McLaws against Harper's Ferry, and after the retreat was left at Shepherdstown to guard the ford. He continued with Pickett's division throughout its subsequent duty. Reaching the battlefield of Gettysburg on the 3d of July, he formed his men in the second line of assault against Cemetery hill. "Conspicuous to all, 50 yards in advance of his brigade, waving his hat in the air, General Armistead led his men upon the enemy with a steady bearing which inspired all with enthusiasm and courage. Far in advance of all, he led the attack till he scaled the works of the enemy and fell wounded in their hands, but not until he had driven them from their position and seen his colors planted over their fortifications." This was the testimony of Colonel Aylett, who succeeded to the immediate command of the remnant of the brigade that was led into action. General Lee wrote in his report, "Brigadier-Generals Armistead, Barksdale, Garnett and Semmes died as they had lived, discharging the highest duties of patriots with devotion that never faltered and courage that shrank from no danger."

Brigadier-General Turner Ashby, a hero of the South whose memory is cherished with peculiar tenderness by the people of the Shenandoah valley, was born at Rose Hill, Fauquier county, in 1824. He was a grandson of Capt. John Ashby, of the revolutionary war. At the time of John Brown's raid he was captain of a volunteer cavalry company, which he led to the scene of trouble. On the 16th of April, 1861, he was at Richmond, with other bold spirits, and took part in the planning of the capture of Harper's Ferry. The next morning, the day of the passage of the ordinance of secession, he went to his home to call out his cavalry company. His brief career from that time was of the most romantic nature, and he speedily became the idol of the volunteer troopers who rallied at Harper's Ferry in April and May, to recruit Jackson's forces. He was assigned to command of the Confederate post at Point of Rocks, where his activity and alertness were of great value. In June he was in command of a troop of Col. Eppa Hunton's regiment, but obtained permission to rejoin his own 