New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-23
THE REREL AsEBY.


ron Our Own Correspondent - ,,o roc,
Turner AsAby belonged 10 Fauquier County,
sheye his family was influential, if not wealthy. In
WASHINGTON. Baltimore, and Richmond, the Ashbys
were well known among people of superior so0al
position and were everywhere esteemed for theiF
intelligence, courage and honor. But the refinement
which seems to have been characteristic OF the
oame must have met with an exception IN the
"Black-norse" Colonel who is always described as
prusque, stern, sodier-like.
His earliest military experience, beyond the mere
rlder.phying Of Virginia hoFsemen, was IN com
uand of company of cavalry, whom he led TO
Chsrles,own Immediately upcn the apparition Of
John Brown at Harpers Ferry. IL was then and
mere that Ashbys " Baci-lIorse' had their name;
his men were mounted bloOGed-bacll chargers
snd the chareerswere mounted by "biooded" white
ndcls--lorse and uan alike were of the first families
His men were picked for their equestrian accom-
plsiucnis, and many Of their horses were bred and
,raioed cn his own plantation. As for himself lis
pssne IA torytu man is fomous from Washington 10
Winchester, bis repue IN Tbs respect being equal 10
,ba' 81 the gallant bat reckless Randolph III igeiy
Of Blilmoie, TO tie exploits o. whose battery N
NeNieo, Col. Charles May is mainly indebted for bis
5rseoou reputation.
Daring the John Brown affir, Ashby secuted the
Shenandoah country Tor negro conspirGcies. and
efr.tually checked the spirit OF seryile uprising.
he w2s one Of The Grst 10 enlist IN the Rebellion,
spd waite in Richmond with proiler Of his ser
wees, ill she ordnance OF Secession was passed.
That same dav. be buried 10 HsrIers Ferry, by
vay Of Washington the Relay" AID followed by
syersi Nrgirians, was the first mounted Rebel to-
rusl into that Stoned little town. Ii Is believed
,tst The movement aganst Narlers Ferry was pro-
r0eed and organized III Richmond lN him.
Turner Ashhy was a gentle mar--so quiet, tact
turn and etioent, 10 be thought mOrOse by those
VINO did not know him well. ii Rebel can DE
rjons he Wac so. | have heard from two intelligent
ie,idents OF Harper's Ferry, that he especially
abomlnaed profanity, aud when in that place, last
Fall. he Was excited Tor "A moment into daWHtAg
somebng, he openly expressed LIS regret and morti
fcaton.
Ii is certain that he was rot ambitions of military
donors for he was twice offered the shoulder-sraps
Of a bIigadiergeneral, but declined, on the ground
that he had 40 special military fitness, save Tor the
command Of cavalry, composed OF nen whom he
knew and In a REGION with which he was familiar.
When, finally, he did accept the brigaders comms-
non, It was for expectancy and IN compliance with
urgent appeals.
His younger brother " Dick" captain in his own
cops, wa peculiarly enCearcd 10 him by his fire
hosemanship, and his personal inrepidlty. Dick
Asbby, you remember Killed Ia "a desperate
STAIR with Wallace Indiana Xouaves, near PatteT-
AFTER his horse was killed, and he shot be
rt<nsed quarter, and kicked at men as he lay GA
tie ground. Ii is said 10y all who knew him, that
Turner Asbby las teen a silent, but 8 SAVAGE, man
ever since.
He was sbout tlirty-seven years old, OF medium
hight, weighing perhaps $50 pounds, OF very dark
complexion, with deeply set black eyes, surnouied
by shaggy eyebrows. aud with "a most imposing
beari and mustache, covering hall his face, aud
filling hall way down DIS breast.
He was devoted 10 General Jackson, and ire-
ouenrly declared that he should be proud to follow
bin in any character, and for any outy. As for MS
personal COURAGE Is enough 10 say that the very
morning General banks entered Winchester, AsAby
went 10 his head quarters disguised a. marhet-nan,
and IN reply 70 questions from staff officers described
hs Rebel self
The day before the battle of Winchester he rode
through the streets OF that town, with one Of his
Captains, in Union Uniform.
One Of The most gallant Colonies IN Shields CON-
nand who has observed Ashby in three engage.
menis said in a verbal report TO Government few
DAYS ago, that the Black Horse General bad OF late
become the most reckless man 10 be found on either
de that he seemed 70 plunge into all forms oil dan
ger with delight riding wherever the fire was hot
test waving bis sword, dischareing bs pistol al our
best Officers and continually inviting hand to-hand
Encounters. Our Colonel once saw him leap HE
horse over an abandoned gun, TO make such an at
tack. So peculiar, by its ski and daring, was his
aorsemansbIp, thai he long ago became marked
nan. and Gen. Shields predicted that Ashby would
mrelv be killed before JaCfson wss driven cut Of
hs valley H. was no doubt an intelligent bullet
hai took lin on. A lady at Winchester said to US,
'Ashby is a decoted man. this war has weH'n3h
srcken Lis heart ALIANONT.
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