Battle of Good's Farm

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Battle of Good's Farm
Part of Jackson's Valley Campaign, American Civil War
Death of Asby at Good's Farm.jpg
The death of Ashby during the battle
DateJune 6, 1862
Location
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg United States Flag of the Confederate States of America (1861-1863).svg 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 Turner Ashby Monument.jpg
Monument at the site of Ashby's death

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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 ... "