ASHBY

ashby, turner (1824-1862), american cavalry leader in the confederate army, was born in fauquier county, virginia, in 1824. before the civil war he was a planter in markham, fauquier county, and a local politician. when hostilities began he raised a regiment of cavalry, which he led with conspicuous success in the valley campaigns of 1861-62, under joseph johnston and stonewall jackson. he was promoted a brigadier-general shortly before his death, which took place in a cavalry skirmish at harrisonburg, va., on the 6th of june 1862. by his early death the confederates lost one of the best cavalry officers in their service.