Life of Turner Ashby

by Thomas A. Ashby

Of the many distinguished men that fought in the Confederate army there were few who had so short and so brilliant a career as Turner Ashby. Having entered the service of Virginia on the 19th day of April, 1861, as captain of a company of cavalry, Ashby soon rose by rapid promotion to the rank of brigadier-general, being in command of all the cavalry in the Army of the Valley at the time of his death, June 6, 1862. Thus in a period of less than fourteen months he had reached a post of distinction that has given him a noteworthy place in the history of his State, and has established his fame as one of the heroic characters of the age in which he lived. At the time of his death few men in either army had attracted more notice in poetry and prose than had Turner Ashby. His manly character and heroic deeds, his knightly bearing and chivalric courage, surrounded his exploits with a halo of romance and aroused an admiration that few men have ever excited. In his spirit and type he represented the heroic age of the Civil War, and in his personal daring and dashing leadership he exemplified methods of warfare that have always attracted the notice of mankind; and short as was his career, his name will long live among the brilliant and picturesque characters that have surrounded war with its romance and heroism.

Genres: Biography

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife's grandfather was named for Turner Ashby, and consequently my son was as well. I knew some stories about Ashby prior to reading this biography, but this book made me even more pleased that we gave our son the name. Turner Ashby was a great man worthy of admiration. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Civil War history or anyone who wants to read about the life and deeds of a true hero.

[L Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Civil War history of the Shenandoah Valley. Turner Ashby is an icon for this region. As an alumnus of James Madison University and a frequent visitor to the UDC monument placed where he died, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very easy to read. I read from a Morningside reprint. It has a bit of purple prose, but it is a great starting point for reading about this heroic cavalry leader!

[Matthew Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Ashby was not only a soldier committed to duty, but a man devoted to state and home.

[Rachel]

Another story of a dashing Southern cavalry soldier. He is frequently mentioned in the letters of both Jackson and Stuart.