"Young and handsome, a superb horseman, always cool and self-possessed, he was the beau ideal of a Battery commander, and later as the commander of a Battalion of Horse Artillery. He was a most companionable, agreeable comrade in camp and as dashing a dare-devil in battle as ever drew a sword. I can scarcely find words to express my
admiration and regard for Col. Chew as a soldier and man." - M.C. Butler, in a letter to Thornton T. Perry after the war.
Source, "They Followed The Plume", Robert J. Trout, page 84
admiration and regard for Col. Chew as a soldier and man." - M.C. Butler, in a letter to Thornton T. Perry after the war.
Source, "They Followed The Plume", Robert J. Trout, page 84
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Historical Photos (Click photo for full size and caption)
Ashby's Charge at Middletown
This battle was significant in that it was the first time in history artillery made a charge along with the cavalry and fired on the enemy during the charge. It revolutionized cavalry and artillery tactics. The battery depicted is Chew's Battery. The following excerpt is taken from The Long Arm of Lee, by Jennings Cropper Wise, pages 167-168.
"The facts concerning the first instance of guns charging with the cavalry are given in the words of Col. R. Preston Chew himself, whose recollection of the incident is borne out by numerous authorities.
'Gen. Jackson had assembled his army at Cedarville, on the road from Front Royal to Winchester, on the night of the 23d of May, 1862. On the 24th, Gen. Ashby was ordered, with his cavalry, supported by a part of Taylor's Bridgade [sic], to take Chew's Battery and two guns from the Rockbridge Artillery, and assail the enemy at Middletown on the Valley turnpike. His advance was stubbornly opposed by the Federal Infantry, but he succeeded in driving them back, and emerged into the open field near Middletown. Telling me to move with the cavalry, he charged the enemy's cavalry, from 2,000 to 2,500 strong, in the road at Middletown. Our guns charged with the cavalry, and when within a short distance, probably 100 yards from the turnpike, we unlimbered and opened on the Federals. There was a stone fence on either side of the road, and we caught them at a great disadvantage... The enemy fled in every direction, and Ashby pursued them along the turnpike toward Newtown. When we came to a point called Crisman's, he reformed his cavalry, and telling me again to charge with his troops, he assailed the enemy, who were drawn up upon the crest of a hill. We went at them with the same maneuver adopted at Middletown, and drove the enemy back in great confusion. ' "
"The facts concerning the first instance of guns charging with the cavalry are given in the words of Col. R. Preston Chew himself, whose recollection of the incident is borne out by numerous authorities.
'Gen. Jackson had assembled his army at Cedarville, on the road from Front Royal to Winchester, on the night of the 23d of May, 1862. On the 24th, Gen. Ashby was ordered, with his cavalry, supported by a part of Taylor's Bridgade [sic], to take Chew's Battery and two guns from the Rockbridge Artillery, and assail the enemy at Middletown on the Valley turnpike. His advance was stubbornly opposed by the Federal Infantry, but he succeeded in driving them back, and emerged into the open field near Middletown. Telling me to move with the cavalry, he charged the enemy's cavalry, from 2,000 to 2,500 strong, in the road at Middletown. Our guns charged with the cavalry, and when within a short distance, probably 100 yards from the turnpike, we unlimbered and opened on the Federals. There was a stone fence on either side of the road, and we caught them at a great disadvantage... The enemy fled in every direction, and Ashby pursued them along the turnpike toward Newtown. When we came to a point called Crisman's, he reformed his cavalry, and telling me again to charge with his troops, he assailed the enemy, who were drawn up upon the crest of a hill. We went at them with the same maneuver adopted at Middletown, and drove the enemy back in great confusion. ' "
Team Photos (Click photo for full size and caption)