Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/234

 226 Southern Historical Society Papers.

himself. The First Maryland and the Fifty-eighth Virginia regiments were given to Ashby, when, retracing the road for some distance over which he had pursued the New Jersey cavalry, he struck into the woods to the right. Detaching two companies of the First Mary- land, he led the advance with them, and in a short time came upon the Federal infantry, when an unexpectedly stubborn engagement ensued. The enemy fought with the most determined gallantry, de- spite the fact that the Fifty-eighth Virginia was sent to Ashby' s sup- port, and it was not until the remaining companies of the First Maryland made a desperate charge that what was left of this gallant band sought safety in flight. The fighting had been at very short range, and while it lasted was fast and furious. Ashby's horse was shot under him at the first fire, and a few minutes after he fell dead from a ball through the body.

After the engagement it was discovered that we had encountered the celebrated Pennsylvania Bucktails, under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Kane, afterward a celebrated brigade commander. Kane and Captain Fred Taylor, afterward killed at Gettysburg, in command of the Bucktails, were wounded and prisoners in our hands.

This engagement occurred about 6 o'clock on the evening of June 6th, some hours after Ashby's encounter with Wyndham, and under no possibility could any of the First New Jersey cavalry have been in the fight. They had been completely done for some hours previous to that time, and the remnant of the regiment had taken an entirely different direction in their precipitate flight. No, the noble, chival- rous Turner Ashby died at the hands of a member of the Pennsyl- vania Bucktail Regiment. .

W. W. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Late Major Maryland Infantry, C. S. A.

THE LAST BATTLE OF THE WAR.

The St. Louis Globe- Democrat publishes an interview with a Mr. W. C. West, which is headed, " The Last Shot of the War." The gist of the interview is as follows :

" I know that the late General Kirby Smith fired the last shot in defence of the Confederate flag. I participated in the matter referred to on the Federal side which was fought at Palmetto Ranch, Resca Chica, Texas, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, May 13, 1865. On the day of the battle General Smith had retreated to the Texas line, with a force of 600 cavalry and some light artillery. Colonel Barrett,