The Biographical Dictionary of America/Ashby, Turner (original) (raw)

​ASHBY, Turner, soldier, was born at "Rose Bank," Fauquier county. Va., Oct. 23, 1828, son of Colonel Turner and Dorothea (Green) Ashby. He was carefully educated in his home and at the best schools the time and place afforded. He was a firm advocate of slavery, but was strongly opposed to secession. When the news of the John Brown raid on Harper's Ferry reached him, he raised a company of mounted men, rode to the scene as its captain, and later took an active part in the occupation of the place. In the spring of 1861 he was stationed below Harper's Ferry in command of the outposts, and in June of that year, at the organization of the 7th Virginia cavalry, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel. He served under "Stonewall" Jackson, commanding the vanguard in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and in the battles of Manassas, Bolivar Heights, Kernstown, Winchester, and other engagements, always distinguishing himself by his bravery and good judgment. On May 27, 1862, he was commissioned brigadier-general. The esteem in which he was held by his superior officer is shown by this passage from General Jackson's official report: "The close relation which General Ashby bore to my command for most of the previous twelve months will justify me in saying that as a partisan officer I never knew his superior. His daring was proverbial, his powers of endurance almost incredible, his tone of character heroic, and his sagacity almost intuitive in divining the purposes and movements of the enemy." He was killed near Harrisonburg, Va., June 6, 1862.