Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-24

BY ONE WHO KNEW HIM.
OF those thus early fallen in the present war hear
not q one more tendery loved and yenerated whose
meH6ty is more frsAranty embalmed in the hearts Of
those who knew him, than Turner AsuBY.
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days,
None knew thee but Ia love thee,
None named thee tut to praise
Too early for grateful country hopes concentrating
in hm too early for the great and growing fame which
such patriotism such virtue, such selfdevoiion to the
cause Of liberty and right, 10 win; General
Ashby fell in battle before he had attained to the full
meridian OF lie.
lie was a native Of Fauquier County grandson Of
lbat John Ashhy who gave lis name TO A,hly's Gap,
and who bore despatches from Fort Loudon, Wmches-
ter 10 the Neuor announcing the defeat Of General
Braddock, in probably less time than the journey
was ever performed by another horseman. General
Ashby was distinguished from early boyhood by hi,
londnesS for every manly and athletic sport, and be
came uuquestiouahy first among the first equeStraus
Of has time. Who that knew him will forget the
perfection the ease the elegance of his riding. The
mature Of hi, early pursuits aud pleasures Prov
dental destined 10 prepare him for his eminent role
ia the bloody drama where his life was closed.
At the time that Lieutenant Jones fired the Harper's
Ferry Armory, by order of President Lincoln General
A,hby was Captain Of a tiue company Of caValy in his
native county. lie summoned them and they were Of
the FIRST 10 proceed the Ferry and place themselves
IN the service of the Southern Confederacy From the
earliest DAYS Of his appearance there ableSt and
most sagaciOus officers began to regard the worth and
virtue Of the man. In Jane Of that eyentful wear he
was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of Legion OF
mounted men authorized TO be raised by Col Angus
W Mcdonald, of Winchester During the summer
and fall the growth Of the organization satisfactory
aud much service rendered upon the border in
Hampshire Morgan, Berkeley and jefferson counties,
living along the Potomac River and the Baltimore and
Ohio Rail Road. The active service Of continual and
arduous cavalry duty conducted by General Ashby
The tale of many daring forays and desperate skr-
mshes in which the personal proves and champion
ship Of the Young hero admirably illustrated may
hereafter be recorded. In the first Of July the early
a d tragical fate Of Richard Ashby, the Generals
Younger brother, who died of seven CHASTITY wounds
received IN a fight upon the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road, in Hampshire county, cast the whole community
who knew and loved him into profound gloom, and
made the saddc,t, most enduring impression upon his
brothers mind. The brothers were sngularly like in
MANY traits Of character-ether the purest type of
pristine CulNaIN-duu lltlIs was utNOltu 1UettlOns
From the DAY of Richard Ashbys burial, it is believed
that the widowed heart of his brother cast forth it,
wounded teudrils clasp endery and enaciousy
the cause Of his bleeding country. His lghtuess Of
spirit was gone, but the tenderness, the affection, the
womauy geuileucss of his noble nature remaincd..-
H,ue,tgrih he became ,rcl,sirsy his c0unrys
General A,hby was 4 military leader By intuition.
How easy was it for him to engage the affections and
secure the confidence Of all who came within the magic
circle Of his influence yet easier if possible to lead
them in the heat Of battle. Some suppose that he wa,
RASH impetuous, imprudent. That opinion is erroneous
for never was there an officer who more regarded the
safety of his men. II daring things were needed TO be
DONE he did s,; he did them from sense Of duty and
judicious estimate Of their importance. But Gen.
Ashby sought not danger for dangers sakehs courage
was too high; his common sense too great A man
more entirely conscientious, in whom the highest reli
gous sentiment more remarkably predominated was no
where L. be iound. Hl, winning and gentle manners
grew out Of the grand traits OF his character most
mrlllys hence admired and children loved han
and brave men chose han as their champion
lie fell IA battle early in lie-lesz than thirty eight
years old--but not before be had given pledges al.
ready Of a career which should not be cxcellcd by
any ia the war lie had the esteem and affection
Of the people wherever his field OF duty had placed
him lie had the utmost devotion Of his own gallant
troops the entire confidence OF the great Jackson aud
the concealed providence OF his early death is beyond
our human comprehension.
Whom ,Ly gat. love the sarIy take from Garth"
General Aahby fell in one of the battles near Port
Republic, and his remains were borne to Charlottes-
vile 70, interme-t. And in the University Burying-
Ground, where group OF lofty pines sentinel Sc
clded spot he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking
The declared intention of the refined and polished
society of AIbcmarle 10 rear proud and appro-
PIRATE monument that sacred dust is worthy Of
themselves az well as Of his memory. Yes let the
loity column ascend TO commemorate the virtue OF
HIM who Ike Warren, fell ere he Knew whether The
priceless blood he she'd that day was To bedew a land
of freedom or OF slaves"
Let him sleep in the shadow Of Yrgnia's ilustrious
University, aud let her keep fresh before ingenious
youth through ages the name ana worth of him who
won in young manhood Immortality Aud TO the glow
ing pen of History be assigned the pleasing task of re
cordng such worth and virtue of inscribng that che
rshrd name with the Great-the Heroes-the Patriots,
Their spldt. wrap the dusky mountain;
1hrir memories sparkle DER the fountain;
The mesnrs rn the mightirs river
Rolls miueIing with their fame forever"
LOOKING AFTER THE WOUNDED.