The Fall Of Colonel Turner Ashby

The following is an excerpt from the official report of Colonel Thomas T. Munford, Colonel, Second Virginia Cavalry, CSA following his appointment as commander of Ashby’s Brigade.

“On the 5th (June 1862) the enemy got their pontoon bridges over (the Shenandoah River) and about one regiment of their cavalry crossed. The army moved up the valley on the 5th and encamped near Harrisonburg.

June 6 we moved on the Port Republic road. About 3 p.m., while the Second and Seventh (Virginia Cavalries) were grazing their horses in a field on the right of the road, the Sixth (Virginia Cavalry) bringing up the rear, it was again suddenly charged by the Yankee cavalry; but we succeeded in repulsing them, who in turn were charged by the Second and Seventh and driven back within half a mile of town (Harrisonburg). In this fight the Yankees lost their colonel, Sir Percy Wyndham, captured, and 63 officers and men, together with their colors. Major Green, of the Sixth was severely wounded here, but we sustained no other loss.

Here it was that Ashby determined to ambush them. Leaving me in command of the brigade, he marched with the First Maryland and Fifty-eighty Virginia Infantry under cover of the woods to my right intending to flank the Yankees, instructing me that as soon as he had dislodged them from the hill to charge them with my whole force. In that enterprise he was baffled and ambushed himself. As soon as our forces became engaged the Yankee cavalry advanced to the support of the (Pennsylvania) Bucktails. I advanced with my command to meet them, and getting within easy range, I opened with two pieces of Chew’s battery, which had been masked in rear of the cavalry, and drove them from their position. Finding that a sever engagement had taken place, and that the brave Ashby had fallen, General Ewell ordered me to retire, making a heavy detail from my regiment to bear off our wounded on horseback.

The next morning, June 8, I assumed the command of the brigade……”

Just outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia off Port Republic Road there is a monument to mark the place where Colonel Turner Ashby fell. That small piece of history is being encroached upon by James Madison University and the City of Harrisonburg. Hopefully there will be a strong movement started to protect and preserve that area. I just visited the monument and the area around it needs a lot of cleaning up and better signs so people can find it easier. If anyone is interested in helping preserve this area let me know and I will find out who or what agency is responsible for its upkeep.

Lew Taylor