fight presently. There's the New York
cavalry as well as the New Jersey--plenty of infantry--Pennsylvania
Bucktails and so forth. Wish I could see the scrimmage! Curious world!
Can't wish you good luck. Must wish you ill. However, good luck's
wrapped up in all kinds of curious bundles. Ready, men! General Ashby,
may I present Major Markham, Captain Bondurant, Captain Schmidt,
Lieutenant Colter? They will wish to remember having met you.--Now,
gentlemen, at your service!"

Prisoners and escort vanished over the hill. Ashby, remounting,
proceeded to make his dispositions, beginning with the Horse Artillery
which he posted on a rise of ground, behind a mask of black thorn and
dogwood. From the east arose the strains of fife and drum. "Maryland
Line," said the 6th, the 7th, and the 2d Virginia Cavalry.

I hear the distant thunder hum,
Maryland!

The old line bugle, fife and drum,
Maryland!
She breathes! She burns! she'll come! she'll come--

"Oh! here's the 58th, too! Give them a cheer, boys! Hurrah! 58th
Virginia! Hurrah! The Maryland Line!"

The two infantry regiments came forward at a double-quick, bright and
brisk, rifle barrels and bayonets gleaming in the now late sunshine,
their regimental flags azure and white, and beside them streaming the
red battle-flag with the blue cross. As they approached there also
began to show, at the edge of the forest which cut the western horizon,
the Federal horse and foot. Before these was a space of rolling fields,
then a ragged line of timber, a straggling copse of underbrush and tall
trees cresting a wave of earth. A body of blue cavalry started out of
the wood, across the field. At once Chew opened with the Blakeley and
the two Parrotts. There ensued confusion and the horse fell back. A blue
infantry regiment issued at a run, crossed the open and attained the
cover of the coppice which commanded the road and the eastern stretch of
fields. A second prepared to follow. The Maryland Line swung through the
woods with orders to flank this movement. Ashby galloped to the 58th.
"Forward, 58th, and clear that wood!" He rode on to Munford at the head
of the squadrons. "I am going to dislodge them from that cover. The
moment they leave it sound the charge!"

The 58th advanced steadily over the open. When it was almost upon the
coppice it fired, then fixed bayonets. The discharge had been aimed at
the wood