We have investigated the time-dependent behavior of the classical XY chain in a symmetry-breaking anisotropy field using an ultrafast spin-dynamics method in which we integrate the equation of motion with equilibrium spin configurations determined by Monte Carlo simulations. All three polarizations of the scattering function S(q,) were determined for temperature kBT=0.2J and fields varying from 0.1J to 0.6J. Substantial differences are found as compared with the isotropic ferromagnetic chain in a transverse magnetic field. The soliton contribution, single-spin-wave peaks, and both the sum and difference two-spin-wave contributions are separated. Half-widths and integrated intensities are extracted and compared with theoretical predictions based on mapping onto the sine-Gordon model. © 1990 The American Physical Society.