During his tenure as commander of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, Turner Ashby has had more than a few disputes with his commander Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. After several serious breakdowns, Jackson decided to break up Ashby’s command, which had grown to twenty-seven companies. Ashby and his loyal officers immediately threatened to resign, forcing Jackson to back down for perhaps the only time in his military career.
Since that time, Ashby and his cavalry have reigned supreme in the Shenandoah Valley. Using a variety of tactics, Ashby’s men have successfully stalled the forward advance of John C. Frémont and allowed Jackson’s army to escape to Harrisonburg. By his count, Ashby had been under fire for sixty consecutive days, and was subsisting on a diet of apples and spring water. He remarked, “I draw up my sword belt a hole or two tighter, and I’m all right. It’s just as good as eating.”
While Jackson’s men continue marching safely toward Port Republic in the continuing rain, Turner Ashby and his men remain behind outside Harrisonburg, to prepare another ambush for the lead elements of Fremont's advance.
From the Report of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, C.S. Army, commanding the Valley District.
On June 2, the enemy's advance…commenced shelling our rear guard, which caused most of the cavalry and that part of its artillery nearest the enemy to retreat in disorder. This led General Ashby to one of those acts of personal heroism and prompt resource which strikingly marked his character. Dismounting from his horse, he collected from the road a small body of infantry from those who from fatigue were straggling behind their commands, and posting them in a piece of wood near the turnpike he awaited the advance of the Federal cavalry, now pushing forward to reap the fruits of the panic produced by the shells. As they approached within easy range he poured such an effective fire into their ranks as to empty a number of saddles and check their further pursuit for that day. Having transferred the Second and Sixth Virginia Cavalry to Ashby, he was placed in command of the rear guard.
On the 3d, after my command had crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah near Mount Jackson, General Ashby was ordered to destroy it, which he barely succeeded in accomplishing before the Federal forces reached the opposite bank of the river. Here his horse was killed by the enemy, and he made a very narrow escape with his life. We reached Harrisonburg at an early hour on the morning of the 5th, and passing beyond that town turned toward the east in the direction of Port Republic.
From Make Me a Map of the Valley by Jedediah Hotchkiss, published 1973.
Monday June 2nd, The enemy is advancing rapidly; the General [Thomas J. Jackson] went to our rear and skirmished with them all day. The train got in great confusion and the General sent me to go along with it and get it in order, and direct that no wagon shall stop to water, etc., and keep all to the right and in motion. Then he directed me to keep in front; so I went on to New Market. The advance of our train reached near there. Ashby had his camp at Fry’s Point, S.W. of Edinburg, and at Red Banks. The General came to Israel Allen’s, near Hawkinstown. I spent the night with Kagey. A party of our men burnt the White House and the Columbia bridges, on the Shenandoah, just in advance of the enemy. Col. [Stapleton] Crutchfield went to see if it had been done. There was a very hard rain in the P.M. Ashby had a fight, aided by stragglers.
Tuesday June 3rd, I went down to Mt. Jackson in the morning, but learning that the enemy was advancing still I turned back and aided in forwarding the train, then came back to Rude’s Hill and witnessed the burning of the bridge, across the river near Mt. Jackson, by Ashby; then we came on and encamped in a field of Dr. Rice’s below New Market. There was a hard rain in P.M. and at night. The Gen. was almost afloat at night from the heavy waterfall.Wednesday
June 4th, We spent a very unpleasant night; it rained very hard and flooded our tents, so we left our camp in the morning and went up to Mr. Strayers, where we spent the day until 6 P.M. The General had me in his room twice asking about the country in the vicinity of Port Republic, the topography, etc. We thought at one time the enemy was advancing, having put a pontoon bridge across the river near Mt. Jackson; so or men were ordered out and held in readiness below New Market, but the enemy did not come on. As they were attempting a flank movement on the other side of the North River we moved up to Williamson’s, in the evening, about 6 P.M., and our forces occupied the hills near his house. It rained very hard in the morning; was quite cool in P.M. At 10 P.M. the General started me to go to the top of Peaked Mt., towards McGaheysville, wishing me to go there and watch and report the movements of Shields in the Luray Valley, taking a signal operator with me.
Thursday June 5th, Reached Harrisonburg at 3 A.M., rested two hours and fed my horse. Dr. McGuire came up in an ambulance and our sick were taken to Mr. Crawford and across North River in boats. The river was very high, said to have been higher than it had been in 25 years. Our sick were taken to Staunton, ambulances coming to the river after them. Everything in Harrisonburg was in confusion. I went on at 5 A.M.; got Mr. Eiler, at Peale’s, as a guide, and reached the top of the mt., “The Peak,” by 8½ o’clock A.M., and spent the day there. Saw the head of [James] Shields’ column encamp 2 miles below Conrad’s Store, near the Big Spring, at about 4 P.M. The day was fine; had some rain. Came down from “The Peak” about 5 P.M.; took supper at Mr. Eiler’s and then went in pursuit of Hd. Qrs. Went to Harrisonburg and found that only Ashby and his cavalry were below there; everything profoundly quiet. Then went up the turnpike and took the Port Republic Road, which the army had taken and hound Hd. QWrs at one mile on the road to the left. Gen. R.S. Ewell was encamped near by, while the advance of our army was not far from Cross Keys. Our train and prisoners went to near Port Republic. It was quite late when I reported to the General.
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