As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I was reading a Civil War history of General James Longstreet and in passing he mentioned The Black Knight, as if the entire world would know of him. Who the Black Knight was, and is, is Turner Ashby jr.
He was from a family of American Heroes, his grandfather fought in the Revolution and his father fought in the War of 1812.
Mr. Ashby became a successful planter and a successful military leader, so much so that his following was a regiment much bigger than all others in 27 companies of cavalry and infantry. Stonewall Jackson attempted to break it up, but Ashby threatened to resign if he did, and Jackson backed down.
Jackson did not appreciate Ashby's lack of military experience, but Ashby never failed.
The thing that spurred General Ashby on most was his brother had attempted to surrender at Harper's Ferry but was bayoneted by the Federals. That murder drove Ashby to hate the North.
This description of him is the gallant cavalier he defined.
He was just entering upon a career that soon made him an heroic character in the history of the Civil War. Dressed now in Confederate gray, with gilt lace on his sleeves and collar, wearing high top-boots with spurs and a broad-brimmed black felt hat with a long black feather streaming behind, his appearance was striking and attractive. He stood about five feet eight inches in height and probably weighed from 150 to 160 pounds (68 to 73 kg). He was muscular and wiry, rather thin than robust or rugged. His hair and beard were as black as a raven's wing; his eyes were soft and mahogany brown; a long, sweeping mustache concealed his mouth, and a heavy and long beard completely covered his breast. His complexion was dark in keeping with his other colorings. Altogether, he resembled the pictures I have seen of the early Crusaders,—a type unusual among the many men in the army, a type so distinctive that, once observed, it cannot soon be forgotten.
In a world full of the cull and the anti hero in this age, this is the best story of Turner Ashby who died in battle after a successful defense in protecting the rear of General Stonewall Jackson's division.
The following story is perfection though of the perfection of the American.
He was also known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for his strict adherence to a Code of Chivalry. Once a young male guest at a party given by Ashby was insulted and goaded into a duel with a rejected rival for a young lady's attention. Though totally unskilled in firearms, the youth accepted the challenge and the duel was set to be immediately fought with pistols at a nearby grove. When word of the altercation reached Ashby in the next room, he barged through the door and approached the more experienced challenger. In his low, gentle voice he asked "What is the time fixed for our meeting?" The prospective duelist responded, "I am to fight [him] immediately." Ashby replied, "I beg your pardon, but he has nothing to do with this affair. He came to my house tonight as my guest. When I invited him to come the invitation was Turner Ashby's word of honor that he should be treated here as a gentleman. I am sorry to have to explain these points of good breeding to you, but you have shown your ignorance of them by insulting my guest. The insult is mine, not his, to resent. He is here under my protection. If you are not prepared to make a proper and satisfactory apology at once, both to my guest and to me, you must fight Turner Ashby and the time and place agreed upon will answer as well as any other. What do you say, sir?" Now fighting a duel with a young man wholly unacquainted with the use of firearms and dueling was one thing; fighting a duel with Turner Ashby in a rage was very well understood to be quite another, and a much more serious thing, and his realization of this difference brought a complete change to the challenger's mind...and he signed the pair of written apologies.
Nuff Said
agtG
