Battle of Good's Farm
Part of Jackson's Valley Campaign, American Civil War

The death of Ashby during the battle
DateJune 6, 1862
Location
Near Harrisonburg, Virginia
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States United States Confederate States of America Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Percy Wyndham (POW) Thomas L. Kane (WIA) (POW) Turner Ashby †
Strength

1st New Jersey Cavalry

13th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry

Rear Guard of Jackson's Army (Steuart's Brigade) 44th Virginia Infantry; 58th Virginia Infantry; 1st Maryland Infantry, CSA;

one Louisiana infantry regiment
Casualties and losses
unknown unknown

The Battle of Good's Farm was a short skirmish between the Confederates and the Union in Jackson's Valley Campaign in the American Civil War. During the fighting, Confederate cavalry officer Turner Ashby was killed.

As Stonewall Jackson's army withdrew from the pressure of Major General John C. Frémont's superior forces, moving from Harrisonburg toward Port Republic, Colonel Turner Ashby commanded the rear guard. On June 6, 1862, near Harrisonburg, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry Regiment attacked Ashby's position at Good's Farm. Although Ashby routed the cavalry and captured Colonel Percy Wyndham, a subsequent infantry engagement resulted in his horse being shot and Ashby leading a charge on foot.[1] Within a few steps, he was shot through the heart, killing him instantly.[2]

The origin of the fatal shot has been lost to history. Soldiers of the 13th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, the "Bucktails", claimed credit, though some accounts blame friendly fire. Ashby's last words were "Forward my brave men!" He had been nominated for promotion to brigadier general just ten days before his death.

Other casualties included Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Kane and Captain Charles Frederick Taylor of the 13th Pennsylvania. Both officers were captured, with Kane being seriously wounded.

Monument at the site of Ashby's death

References

  1. ↑ Dupuy, p. 49. " ... had his horse killed beneath him in the rearguard action at Harrisonburg, and was killed leading an attack on foot (June 6)..."
  2. ↑ Eicher, p. 588. Attributes death to "hit in the chest and side ... "

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