James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
820 Madison DriveMSC 1706
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Barbara Padgett, Cara Lundgren
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Other Formats Available
Transcriptions of a selection of letters are included in the collection.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Turner Ashby Letters, SC 0107, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg Va.
Acquisition Information
Placed on deposit by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society in September 1992.
Processing Information
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 2087 .
Bio/Historical Note
Turner Ashby was a Confederate cavalry commander during the Civil War. He was born in Fauquier County Virginia. where he became an accomplished horseman. Sometimes called the "Black Knight of the Confederacy" Ashby was responsible for guarding the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry to Maryland. This was in part to help Maryland men with Confederate leanings join the Confederacy. Ashby was to serve with Stonewall Jackson. During the Valley Campaign, Ashby was shot in the Battle of Good's Farm. He had been appointed Brigadier General at this time, but it was never confirmed by the Confederate Senate.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of 28 letters (a few with envelopes), a petition, and two portrait photographs of Turner Ashby. The letters comprise correspondence between relatives of Turner Ashby including his mother, Dorothea F. Ashby; his sisters, Mary and Dora (both later married to Moncures); cousins; and friends of the family. Two letters are penned by Turner Ashby. These two letters plus one from "D.A.M." have been transcribed; transcriptions are available in the folder.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Ashby family -- Correspondence
- Ashby, Richard, 1831-1861
- Ashby, Richard, 1831-1861 -- Correspondence
- Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862
- Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862 -- Correspondence
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861
- Confederate States of America -- History, Military -- Sources
- Confederate States of America. Army -- Biography
- Confederate States of America. Army. Virginia Cavalry Regiment, 7th
- Generals -- Southern States -- Biography
- Harrisonburg (Va.), Battle of, 1862
- Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
- Letters (correspondence)
- Moncure family -- Correspondence
- Photographs
- Plantation life -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- 19th century
- Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
- Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1861
- Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862
- Slaves -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- 19th century
- United States -- Armed Forces -- Biography
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
- Virginia -- History -- 19th century -- Social life and customs
- Virginia -- History, Local -- 19th century -- Sources
- Virginia -- History, Local -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
Bibliography
Bushong, Millard K. General Turner Ashby and Stonewall's Campaign. Verona, VA: McClure Printing Co. Inc., 1980.Cunningham, Frank. Knight of the Confederacy: General Turner Ashby. San Antonio, TX: Naylor Co., 1960.
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Confederate States of America -- History, Military -- Sources
- Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Sources
- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
- United States -- Armed Forces -- Biography
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
- Virginia -- History -- 19th century -- Social life and customs
- Virginia -- History, Local -- 19th century -- Sources
- Virginia -- History, Local -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
Container List
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"D.F.A" to "My dear Child"August 1852Scope and Content
Explains what Turner Ashby is doing as he stays at Mrs.Grayson's house. There is mention of a gathering at the Spring and the expected arrival of Mary. [D.F.A. is probably Dorothea F. Ashby, Turner's mother.]
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"M Allen" to "My dear Madam"Aug. 9, 1853Scope and Content
Reply to a letter to Bettie who was ill; plans of different friends; some speakers from Baltimore.
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"Dora" to "My darling Mother"Oct. 27, 1853Scope and Content
A recount of opera, Crystal Palace, & Lt. Nicholas' house suggest trip to New York City. [Dora is the sister of Turner Ashby.]
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From unsigned to "My dearest Mol-"July 28, 1854Scope and Content
Written at Argyle; concerns home affairs at Clarke including a drought in the corn, sickness, babies, and servants.
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"Turner Ashby" to "Dear Dora"Jan. 14, 1861Scope and Content
written at Raven's Craig. Hopes to get off for a couple of weeks; gives Dora authority to sign his name concerning the sale of a servant, Louisa; engagement of Milly Stribling [a friend of the family]. TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.
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"Richard Ashby" to "Dear Mama"March 12, [1861]Scope and Content
written from Richmond. Expresses sadness because won't be coming to Stafford although happy in Richmond. Special remembrances to the servants. [Richard is brother of Turner.]
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"We the undersigned Ladies of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, Va" to "Lt. Col. Ashby"[After June 16, 1861]Scope and Content
written at a camp near Duffins Depot. Petition for protection from the enemy by having one or two companies stationed there.
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Wednesday morning "Dora" to "My Dear Beck" at Markham[Before July 3, 1861]Scope and Content
Report of weddings, response to kind letter and trip. Describes bachelor dinners given to TA before his return to Washington.
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"Mary C. Braxton" to "Mr. Ashby" [Turner]July 15, 1861Scope and Content
written from Elmwood. Condolences for the death of the recipient's brother [probably Richard, on July 3, 1861] during battle; faith of her sister, Harrity, who is taking the death of her idol very hard. [Mary C. Braxton is a friend of the family.]
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"Dora Ashby" to "Dearest Mary"[Before July 22, 1861]Scope and Content
[on back: Mrs. Mary Moncure] written from Ravenswood to Chelsea. Bad weather has kept her from going back to school [to teach]; a party where Annie is flirting like a belle; hi to Mammy and all the servants. In an additional note, D. F. Ashby accepts invitation to move to Chelsea. [Mary is also Turner's sister.]
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"Dora Moncure" to "My dearest brother" [Turner]July 22, [1861]Scope and Content
Written at Ravenswood. Expresses thanks for the sparing of brother's life at Manassas. Death of brother, Dick, [Richard] who was engaged. Mr. [Powhatan] Moncure is too sick to be drafted.
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"Dora" to "My Dear Mother" at Chelsea [on back: Mrs. D. F. Ashby][July 1861]Scope and Content
Suggests moving and in Dora's state of health cannot take care of the servants. Mentions an overseer; news of Manassas.
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"Fanny Ashby" to "My Dear Mary" [on back: Mrs. Mary Moncure][July 1861]Scope and Content
Concerns about family members; sadness at Mary not coming to Ravenswood. [Cousin of Turner] waiting to hear news of Manassas.
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"Harriette Caputon"[?] to [on envelope dated Sept. 5 from Union Va: Mrs. Dora A. Moncure], from Elwood.Sept. 4, [1861]Scope and Content
Grief at loss of Dora's brother [probably Richard], her "life's happiness". Concern for D.F.A.'s illness.
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"Turner Ashby" to "Dear Dora" written at Camp Lookout.Sept. 6, 1861Scope and Content
Tells of camp duties, skirmishes with the enemy and casualties Ends with "give love to Mary." TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.
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"Harriette Caputon"[?] to [D.F.Ashby] from Elmwoood.Oct. 4, [1861]Scope and Content
Grieves over loss of [Richard]; encouragement that remaining children can be her comfort.
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Friday Evening "Harriete Caputon"[?] to [on envelope: Mrs. Dora A. Moncure] written from Elmwood.[Oct. 5 1861]Scope and Content
Response to Dora's letter. Encouraging thoughts for families; grief over [Richard's] death.
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"Dora" to "my sweet sister."Oct. 21, [1861]Scope and Content
Describes home life & having enough to get by. Mentions Fanny as a sister. Good relations with neighbors and friends.
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"Dora Moncure" to "My Dear Sister" [on back: Mrs. George W. Moncure Chelsea][Dec. 25, 1861]Scope and Content
Family matters. Gift exchange on Christmas and bad road conditions. Prescription from Dr. Rase for mother.
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Tuesday "Dora Moncure" to "My Dearest Sister" written from Ravenswood.[Before June 6, 1862]Scope and Content
Tells of letters from Robbie and news of Turner and George dispelling rumors of Turner's death. A visit from a Presbyterian Chaplain and other family matters.
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Monday "Susan Shacklett" to "My dear Dora" written from Richmond[After June 6, 1862]Scope and Content
Inquiry about the family since the Yankees had raided them; Turner as one of the greatly loved Generals; the place where he fell near Harrisonburg.
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"Bettie A.[?] Green" [cousin] to "My dear Dora" written from Mountain ViewMarch 2, [1863?]Scope and Content
Dining at Markham [previously Rose Bank, home of the Ashbys]. Acquaintances and health of herself and mother. [Green was D.F.A.'s maiden name.]
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Monday Eve "Dora" to "My Own Dear Sister" [on back:Mrs. George Moncure]UndatedScope and Content
Story of soldier's death at sister's home. Concern for sister's health and Robbie.
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Friday Eve [Dec.] "Dora" to "My Dear Sister" written from Chestnut HillUndatedScope and Content
Moving back to Ravenswood. Christmas dinner, exhausted after childbirth, impatience with Milly, a black woman.
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Tuesday night "D.A.M." [Dora A. Moncure] to "My own Dear Sister" [Mary]UndatedScope and Content
Describes cough and sickness. Neighbors helping, talk of servants leaving but can't get along without one. George is in Mountain View. TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.
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Tuesday "Dora Moncure" to "My Dearest Sister" [Mary] witten from RavenswoodUndatedScope and Content
Newborn baby of Mary; asks her to consider having Miss Eliza Harry come up to take care of the family and nurse the child. Describes food sent.
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Saturday, the 10th "Dora" to "My Dear Mother"UndatedScope and Content
Log of the trip back from Chelsea. Explains house chores and visitors.
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[Undated] "Vic"[?] to "Dear Cousin Mary" [on back: Mrs. George V. Moncure Chelsea]UndatedScope and Content
Staying with Aunt Ashby; mentions family members; an invitation to come to their house after children's sickness; Dora's baby boy.
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[Undated] "PM" [possibly Powhatan Moncure, Dora's husband] to "My Dearest Bet"UndatedScope and Content
An invitation to D.F. Ashby to come with Dora and convalesce in quietude.
Two photos of portraits of Turner Ashby--one with "C.W. Alexander" in lower right corner.