Harrisonburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Chestnut Ridge
Death of Ashby
| — | 1862 Valley Campaign | — |
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, September 8, 2008
1. Chestnut Ridge CWT Marker
On June 6, 1862, the vanguard of Union Gen. John C. Frémont’s force, pursuing Confederate Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s army south up the Shenandoah Valley, reached this point near Harrisonburg. Jackson’s rear guard, led by Gen. Turner Ashby, engaged Federal cavalry here and captured Col. Sir Percy Wyndham, the English commander of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry who had earlier boasted that he would “bag Ashby.” The 1st Maryland Inf. and 58th Virginia Inf. set an ambush for the Federals. At about 6 p.m., however, Union forces appeared not in the road as expected, but in a concealed position near Ashby’s force. When Ashby’s horse was shot from under him, he rolled off the mount, regained his footing and ordered his men to stop shooting and use the bayonet, shouting, “Charge, men! For God’s sake charge!” Then a Union bullet pierced Ashby’s side and passed through his chest. He fell dead while his men cleared the Federals from the woodline.
The next day, Ashby’s body lay in state in the Frank Kemper house in Port Republic, where a brief funeral service was held. Jackson viewed the body there in private. Although Ashby’s
this page online
(Sidebar):
On June 6, 1898, the Turner Ashby Monument was dedicated under the auspices of Turner Ashby Chapter 162, United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Chapter continues to maintain the death site.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1937.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 25.416′ N, 78° 51.865′ W. Marker was in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It could be reached from Turner Ashby Lane 0.2 miles north of Neff Avenue. The old Turner Ashby Lane off of Port Republic Road has been closed. The site can be accessed via a new Turner Ashby Lane off of Neff Avenue.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 20, 2012
2. Chestnut Ridge Marker
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Battle of Harrisonburg (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chestnut Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Turner Ashby (within shouting distance of this marker); James Madison University (approx. 0.8 miles away); Beta Gamma Sigma (approx. 0.8 miles away); James Madison (approx.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 23, 2006
3. Chestnut Ridge and Battle of Harrisonburg markers
Original position of the markers.
More about this marker. The marker contains a sketch of the battle with the caption Late evening engagement between Ashby’s troops (right) and the Pennsylvania Bucktails shortly after Gen. Ashby was killed. The wounded Lt. Col. Thomas Kane of the Bucktails is depicted (left of center) shortly before his capture by the Confederates. After his recovery and exchange he was promoted to brigadier general. A map of the battlefield and portraits of Gen. Turner Ashby and Lt. Col. Thomas Kane are also displayed.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Grieving comrades carried Ashby's body the Kemper House in Port Republic.
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, September 8, 2008
4. Chestnut Ridge Marker Looking Toward Parking Lot
When the access road was relocated, the markers were moved uphill to be close to the new parking area off Neff Avenue.
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, October 12, 2007
5. Close-up of Ashby Monument
"Gen. Turner Ashby C.S.A. was killed on this spot June 6, 1862, gallantly leading a charge"
Internet Archive
6. Brigadier-General Turner Ashby, C.S.A.
From Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol. 2, Robert Underwood Johnson & Clarence Clough Buel, 1887.
Internet Archive
7. General Thomas L. Kane
From History of the “Buckeyes” by O. R. Howard Thomson and William R. Rauch, 1906.
Internet Archive
8. Gallant attack by 150 of the Pennsylvania Bucktails
led by Colonel Kane, upon a portion of General Stonewall Jackson’s Confederate Army, strongly posted in the woods, near Harrisonburg, Friday, June 6th, 1862.
From Frank Leslie's Illustrated History of the Civil War by Frank Leslie and Louis Shepheard Moat, 1895.
From Frank Leslie's Illustrated History of the Civil War by Frank Leslie and Louis Shepheard Moat, 1895.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 23, 2006
9. Battle of Harrisonburg
On wooded Chestnut Ridge the evening of Friday, June 6, 1862, Pennsylvania Bucktails under Col. Kane were defeated in a hard fight with the 58th Va. under Col. Letcher and Gen. Turner Ashby and the 1st Md. under Col. Bradley Johnson. Gen. Ashby Killed; Col. Kane captured. Stonewall Jackson said of Gen. Ashby: “I never knew his superior, his daring was proverbial.”
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 27, 2008
10. Turner Ashby Monument
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
11. Ashby's Grave
Ashby and his brother, Captain Richard Ashby (died of wounds in July 1861) are buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, January 30, 2008
12. Chestnut Ridge Seen from 261 University Boulevard
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, June 2000
13. Exhibit at Port Republic Museum
A room at the museum in Port Republic interprets the story that Ashby's body was brought to that building, the Kemper House.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6,103 times since then and 71 times this year. Last updated on February 1, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 1, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 20, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 1, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 5. submitted on February 26, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 9, 10. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 11. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 12, 13. submitted on February 1, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
