"The Black Knight"

[5fish]

Here is account of Ashby's last day...It started well he capture an Englishman Wyndham but he wanted more. It end with his death. I see why some think friendly fire may have killed him.... start on page 6 to page 10

http://books.google.com/books?id=4uuBnOmvMAEC&pg=PA6&dq=13th New Jersey cavalry, Col. Turner Ashby&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DkM1VJDDN4WzyASzr4H4Dw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=13th New Jersey cavalry, Col. Turner Ashby&f=false

 

[5fish]

I think he was a man with a death wish... or an adrenalin junkie...

 

[Rebforever]

So why do you think he was a Stuart in the making? Or what exactly is it you're saying?

Can't make it much plainer. Other than Military experience which under Stuart he would grow into that. Same as Forrest grew with experience.

 

[nitrofd]

I wish I could draw or paint. Those paintings are beautiful.

So do I,.I can't even draw a crooked line.

 

[Rebforever]

I think he was a man with a death wish... or an adrenalin junkie...

From all indication, that 'rush' seems to happen to all of those that go into any kind of combat be it sports, streetfight, etc.

 

[K Hale]

Can't make it much plainer. Other than Military experience which under Stuart he would grow into that. Same as Forrest grew with experience.

Much plainer than what? You haven't said anything about why you think Ashby was the next Stuart or whatever. What did he do that makes you think so?

 

[5fish]

Ashby truly like to lead form the front and be in the action... more like Custer was...

 

[NFB22]

Ashby likely, as another poster pointed out, been Virginia's version of John Hunt Morgan.....Morgan had experience in the Mexican War as a private but Ashby had zero. Jackson, I think, could have shaped this cavalryman up but - and he knew this - there might not have been time. Forrest was an amazingly fast learner and had the good sense to surround himself with trustworthy men who knew what they were doing if he didn't! Ashby had mainly his friends and relations. But, it was very early in the war and he's another one of those we'll never know if they could cut the mustard or not.

Ashby did have a very small amount of military knowledge, he commanded militia before the war. But nothing close to the men that had seen action in the Mexican-American War, West Pointers, or men that had served abroad.

 

[diane]

No, not a death wish just a guy who loved to fight and lead! I think it's important to remember the beginning of the war was rather innocent - we'd never done this sort of thing before! Ashby was of a certain class of men who were all sabers and roses, the cavalier, the paladin...very romantic notions of fighting. You were gallant to women and children, merciful to your fallen foe and so forth in the code of honor vein. Ladies threw flowers at your horse, snipped buttons off your uniform (Stuart kept a bunch of spares in his pockets!), waved their hankies as you passed by. Later...all that was gone. Period. Had Ashby survived to later in the war, he would have had the same transformation all of them had - war hardened. There were instances, even this early, that indicated Ashby might have become a dangerous man with that event. His troopers were accused of roughing up some people and some few things worse - hopefully this was disciplinary problems and not the shape of things to come!

 

[Old Bay]

My paternal grandmother had a brother name for Turner Ashby. Her father didn't serve under him (19th Virginia instead) but Ashby was something of a folk hero in his part of Virginia.

Still is. At least amongst the Civil War knowing folk. I actually went to high school with a couple of people who are descendants.

 

[Old Bay]

He might more likely have been a raider in the mold of John Hunt Morgan, but as a unit commander he was already well over his head with his own 9th Virginia.

I think it was the 7th Virginia Cavalry. Only reason I say that is because I had ancestors that were in Ashby's unit, but in the parts that were broken off into two other commands (one full regiment which became the 12th Virginia Cavalry and the 17th Virginia Cavalry Battalion). It was massive, pretty much a brigade.

I found the 7th to be one of the hardest units to follow in my research so far. I'd like to go back and revisit when I get a chance.

Jackson was going to split up the regiment early on at one point because it was so unwieldy and disorganized but the CO of the time, Angus McDonald, I think, was going to resign if it wasn't left alone. I think that's how it went. And since he was one of the few officers with command experience Jackson just let it go.

See, ol' Stonewall could be reasonable upon occasion...

 

[Rio Bravo]

Why was he called 'The Black Knight' and who first called him that name ???

 

[ForeverFree]

I'm still curious what kind of impact he'd have had later in the war. I know many believe he was at his height when he fell but I'm not so sure.
View attachment 48837

The image reminds me of the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark featuring Harrison Ford and the guy with the sword, but in reverse.

- Alan

 

[NFB22]

Why was he called 'The Black Knight' and who first called him that name ???

A civilian in the Valley named Thomas A. Ashby (no relation) wrote about an encounter with him:

"He was just entering upon a career that soon made him an heroic character in the history of the Civil War. Dressed now in Confederate gray, with gilt lace on his sleeves and collar, wearing high top-boots with spurs and a broad-brimmed black felt hat with a long black feather streaming behind, his appearance was striking and attractive. He stood about five feet eight inches in height and probably weighed from 150 to 160 pounds. He was muscular and wiry, rather thin than robust or rugged. His hair and beard were as black as a raven's wing; his eyes were soft and mahogany brown; a long, sweeping mustache concealed his mouth, and a heavy and long beard completely covered his breast. His complexion was dark in keeping with his other colorings. Altogether, he resembled the pictures I have seen of the early Crusaders,—a type unusual among the many men in the army, a type so distinctive that, once observed, it cannot soon be forgotten."

 

[GELongstreet]

By the way, Ashby was 7th Virginia Cavalry. The 9th Cav was commanded by W.H.F. Lee.

 

[James N.]

By the way, Ashby was 7th Virginia Cavalry. The 9th Cav was commanded by W.H.F. Lee.

Thanks for that; my mind was playing tricks on me I guess!

 

[DagmarJasmin]

Here is account of Ashby's last day...It started well he capture an Englishman Wyndham but he wanted more. It end with his death. I see why some think friendly fire may have killed him.... start on page 6 to page 10

http://books.google.com/books?id=4uuBnOmvMAEC&pg=PA6&dq=13th New Jersey cavalry, Col. Turner Ashby&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DkM1VJDDN4WzyASzr4H4Dw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=13th New Jersey cavalry, Col. Turner Ashby&f=false

Blood Image is Avery good book. I can highly recommend it