Explore/Veterans/Civil War/John W. Ashby

Veteran

John W. Ashby

The VMI Memorial of 1875 says John W. Ashby, born near White Post in 1833, served first in the Black Horse Cavalry and then in Company I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, and was killed by a shell fragment on the morning of April 9, 1865, at Appomattox. A War Department service record for John W. Ashby of Company I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, shows a sergeant captured at Poolesville, Maryland, in September 1862, exchanged that November, and present with the company through April 1864; it is probably the same man's. A "J. W. Ashby" is the last name Gold transcribes from the north side of the monument's list of other commands.

Civil War as the cited records state it

All veterans of Clarke County · How to read these pages

3 records cited
6 statements
4 images shown

Is this the same man?

IDENTITY Likely One memorial sketch; the Gold 1914 Co. I, 12th Va. list does not carry his name, and the inscription's J. W. Ashby gives initials only.

What distinguishes him: Name, rank and company as printed in one memorial sketch (John W. Ashby, Private, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, earlier Co. A, 7th Virginia Cavalry). Gold's inscription list prints "J. W. Ashby," initials and surname only, which fits but is not shown to be this man.

Clarke connection: Qualified: a birth statement in a memorial sketch. The VMI Memorial (1875, printed p. 34) heads the sketch "OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA" and says he was born near White Post, Clarke County, on December 15, 1833; that is a statement in a retrospective sketch, not a birth record. His later residence before the war was Warren County, which the sketch says (the 12th Virginia Cavalry company he joined was organized there); his Clarke link is the birth statement. No residence record has been read.

This page rests on two or more independent records, each read on the page image.

Evidence depth: Documented

Service summary

Only the fields a record supplies, in the record's own words. The full statement is under What the records say.

Service summary
Field	As the record prints it	Source	RECORD	IDENTITY
Rank	PRIVATE	Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States The statement	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY Likely
Unit	Co. 'I,' 12th Virginia Cavalry	Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States The statement	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY Likely

What the records say

Each line is a statement from a cited source, in the source's own terms, with the three questions asked of it. Same man as the one on this page?

What the records say
When	What the record shows	RECORD	IDENTITY	Source
Date not established	Printed p. 314 of Gold's 1914 history of Clarke County carries the dedication heading of an inscription: "ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME," followed by the EAST SIDE names; the inscribed names on pp. 315-316 continue the list.	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY UnconfirmedThe claim is about the inscription's heading, not about any man; it says nothing of which man is meant.	History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists Printed p. 314 of Gold's 1914 history of Clarke County carries the dedication heading of an inscription: "ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME," followed by the EAST SIDE names; the inscribed names on pp. 315-316 continue the list. What the source supports What kind of list the inscription names on pp. 315-316 belong to: a memorial "to the memory of the sons of Clarke who gave their lives." Uncertainty This is a heading, not an entry for any man, and it names none of the three men on whose pages it is cited (Pendleton, Lewis Ashby, John W. Ashby); it says only what kind of list their initial-and-surname entries belong to. The wording ("the rights of the states," "Fortune denied them success") is the inscription's own 1900s Lost Cause voice, reported as Gold prints it and not as a finding of this project. The monument inscription gives initials and surname only, with no first name, company or date, and the book gives no key to it; another man with the same initials cannot be ruled out from the page. That the list is the inscription of the Confederate monument rests on the roster record for the page and on Gold's later sentence about the unveiling; the word "monument" is not on the heading page. The crop ends at the first two lines of the EAST SIDE. Each cited passage was read twice, the second time independently: first as a rendered page image of a digital reproduction (a 200 dpi render of the stated PDF page of the hosted copy), then on a cropped image of the same page. Both readings support the claim; neither was of the paper itself. The crop is held privately and is not shown on this site. Nothing beyond the quoted passage was read from the page. No human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states Thomas D. Gold · 1914 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 314, PDF p. 346 of the hosted copy, the dedication heading of the monument inscription Relevant passage ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: existing OCR reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: gold-1914. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Date not established	The Virginia Military Institute Memorial (Walker, 1875), printed p. 34, opens its sketch with the heading "JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. 'I,' 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY" and says that "John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833."	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY LikelyOne memorial sketch; Gold's Co. I, 12th Va. list does not carry his name.	Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists The Virginia Military Institute Memorial (Walker, 1875), printed p. 34, opens its sketch with the heading "JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. 'I,' 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY" and says that "John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833." What the source supports What the VMI Memorial prints at the head of its sketch of John W. Ashby: his rank and company, a birth place near White Post in Clarke County and a date, and his parents' names. Uncertainty A memorial sketch written for the 1875 book from the writer's knowledge and the accounts of comrades and family, a decade after the events: a retrospective account, not a service or death record, and not checked here against any other record. The heading "OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA" and the birth sentence are the book's own statements; a birth statement in a memorial sketch is not a birth record, so the Clarke basis is qualified. The sketch names his elder brother James L. Ashby (the previous sketch); his later residence before the war was Warren County (see C1400). The Gold 1914 Co. I, 12th Va. list (printed p. 309) prints Buckner, Lewis and Russell Ashby and no John W. Ashby. Each cited passage was read twice, the second time independently: first as a rendered page image of a digital reproduction (a 200 dpi render of the stated PDF page of the hosted copy), then on a cropped image of the same page. Both readings support the claim; neither was of the paper itself. The crop is held privately and is not shown on this site. Nothing beyond the quoted passage was read from the page. No human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 34, PDF p. 35 of the hosted copy, the heading and first sentence of the sketch headed JOHN W. ASHBY Relevant passage JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. "I," 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY. John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Date not established	On printed p. 35 the VMI Memorial says that John W. Ashby "volunteered as a private in Co. 'A,' 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated 'Black Horse Cavalry,' commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby," and that "until the reorganization of the army in 1862" he "joined Co. 'I,' 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war."	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY LikelyThe same John W. Ashby as the heading on p. 34, by the sketch's own narrative.	Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists On printed p. 35 the VMI Memorial says that John W. Ashby "volunteered as a private in Co. 'A,' 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated 'Black Horse Cavalry,' commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby," and that "until the reorganization of the army in 1862" he "joined Co. 'I,' 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war." What the source supports What the VMI sketch says of his units: Co. A, 7th Virginia Cavalry in the fall of 1861, then Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, where the sketch says he resided before the war. Uncertainty A memorial sketch written for the 1875 book from the writer's knowledge and the accounts of comrades and family, a decade after the events: a retrospective account, not a service or death record, and not checked here against any other record. His later residence was Warren County, which the page says in plain words ("the neighborhood where he resided before the war"); his Clarke link is the birth statement on p. 34 (see C1399), not residence. The crop starts at a whole line of the sketch, and the omitted lines above it are marked in the claimed passage. Turner Ashby is named as the commander of the 7th; no kinship is stated, and Richard Ashby is called a fellow cadet and "a brother martyr in the Southern cause," not stated to be a relative. Each cited passage was read twice, the second time independently: first as a rendered page image of a digital reproduction (a 200 dpi render of the stated PDF page of the hosted copy), then on a cropped image of the same page. Both readings support the claim; neither was of the paper itself. The crop is held privately and is not shown on this site. Nothing beyond the quoted passage was read from the page. No human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on his first company Relevant passage In the fall of 1861 he volunteered as a private in Co. "A," 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated "Black Horse Cavalry," commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on his second company Relevant passage until the reorganization of the army in 1862, when he joined Co. "I," 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Date not established	The same sketch says that "On the 6th of April, 1865, just three days before the grand old army of Northern Virginia breathed her last at Appomattox Court-House, he rejoined his regiment," that "On the morning of the 9th, just two hours before the catastrophe, he was struck in the stomach by a fragment of a shell, producing such severe wounds that death quickly ensued," and ends: "James L. Ashby, at Trevyllian, John W. Ashby, at Appomattox, two brave soldier-brothers in life, in death not long divided."	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY LikelySame John W. Ashby as the heading on p. 34; the last sentence ties him to James L. Ashby "at Trevyllian," so the sketch itself says James, not Lewis.	Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists The same sketch says that "On the 6th of April, 1865, just three days before the grand old army of Northern Virginia breathed her last at Appomattox Court-House, he rejoined his regiment," that "On the morning of the 9th, just two hours before the catastrophe, he was struck in the stomach by a fragment of a shell, producing such severe wounds that death quickly ensued," and ends: "James L. Ashby, at Trevyllian, John W. Ashby, at Appomattox, two brave soldier-brothers in life, in death not long divided." What the source supports What the VMI sketch says of his death: struck by a shell fragment on the morning of the 9th (April 1865, by the sketch's own frame) and dying quickly, and that his brother James L. Ashby fell at Trevyllian. Uncertainty A memorial sketch written for the 1875 book from the writer's knowledge and the accounts of comrades and family, a decade after the events: a retrospective account, not a service or death record, and not checked here against any other record. The day is "the morning of the 9th"; the month and year (April 9, 1865) are the page's frame (the 6th of April, three days before Appomattox), not a stated date. The last sentence pairs him with James L. Ashby of the previous sketch ("at Trevyllian"): the sketch itself says James, not Lewis. No casualty list or burial record was read. Each cited passage was read twice, the second time independently: first as a rendered page image of a digital reproduction (a 200 dpi render of the stated PDF page of the hosted copy), then on a cropped image of the same page. Both readings support the claim; neither was of the paper itself. The crop is held privately and is not shown on this site. Nothing beyond the quoted passage was read from the page. No human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on April 6, 1865 Relevant passage On the 6th of April, 1865, just three days before the grand old army of Northern Virginia breathed her last at Appomattox Court-House, he rejoined his regiment. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on the morning of the 9th Relevant passage On the morning of the 9th, just two hours before the catastrophe, he was struck in the stomach by a fragment of a shell, producing such severe wounds that death quickly ensued. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Walker, Charles D. · 1875 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the last sentence of the sketch Relevant passage James L. Ashby, at Trevyllian, John W. Ashby, at Appomattox, two brave soldier-brothers in life, in death not long divided. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: page text reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: vmi-memorial-1875. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Date not established	Printed p. 316 of Gold's 1914 history prints "J. W. Ashby" as the last name of the "OTHER COMMANDS" list of the NORTH side of an inscription, below "Surg. Chas. McCormick," and goes on: "The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter."	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY Unconfirmed"J. W." fits John W. Ashby of the VMI sketch, but the list gives no first name, company or date and the book gives no key; another J. W. Ashby cannot be ruled out from this page.	History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists Printed p. 316 of Gold's 1914 history prints "J. W. Ashby" as the last name of the "OTHER COMMANDS" list of the NORTH side of an inscription, below "Surg. Chas. McCormick," and goes on: "The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter." What the source supports That the inscription list Gold prints includes the name "J. W. Ashby," and that Gold's following sentences call the object a monument unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold. Uncertainty The monument inscription gives initials and surname only, with no first name, company or date, and the book gives no key to it; another man with the same initials cannot be ruled out from the page. That the list is the inscription of the Confederate monument rests on the roster record for the page and on Gold's later sentence about the unveiling; the word "monument" is not on the heading page. The name stands alone on its line with no period after it, as printed; "G. Ashby" and "G. Thompson," also on the list, are not used here. The NORTH and OTHER COMMANDS headings are on p. 315 (see C1389) and the dedication heading on p. 314 (see C1388). Each cited passage was read twice, the second time independently: first as a rendered page image of a digital reproduction (a 200 dpi render of the stated PDF page of the hosted copy), then on a cropped image of the same page. Both readings support the claim; neither was of the paper itself. The crop is held privately and is not shown on this site. Nothing beyond the quoted passage was read from the page. No human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Later historical account Evidence role: supports. Supports the claim at the cited book's own level; the underlying record was not read. See limits. History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states Thomas D. Gold · 1914 (publication) Locator: Printed p. 316, PDF p. 348 of the hosted copy, the end of the NORTH side name list and the sentences after it Relevant passage Surg. Chas. McCormick / J. W. Ashby / The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter. Checked: This passage was read on a digital reproduction of the page; no original has been handled. The source's other readings: existing OCR reviewed, original image not independently inspected. Open source Source family: gold-1914. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.
Date not established	A compiled service record in NARA M324 (Fold3 file id 8916666), filed as "Ashby, John W." for Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, shows a sergeant of that company, first sergeant by late 1863, enrolled April 25, 1862 at Conrad's Store by T. B. Massie. He was captured at Poolesville, Maryland, on September 8, 1862, the date his bright bay horse was recorded killed in action near Poolesville; paroled for exchange at Aiken's Landing on September 27 and declared exchanged there on November 10, 1862; and recorded present with the company on every muster from September-October 1863 to April 30, 1864, the last card in the file.	RECORD Likely	IDENTITY UnconfirmedNo identity statement has been recorded for this statement.	Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3 See the source and its limits ✓ LikelyAn account exists A compiled service record in NARA M324 (Fold3 file id 8916666), filed as "Ashby, John W." for Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, shows a sergeant of that company, first sergeant by late 1863, enrolled April 25, 1862 at Conrad's Store by T. B. Massie. He was captured at Poolesville, Maryland, on September 8, 1862, the date his bright bay horse was recorded killed in action near Poolesville; paroled for exchange at Aiken's Landing on September 27 and declared exchanged there on November 10, 1862; and recorded present with the company on every muster from September-October 1863 to April 30, 1864, the last card in the file. What the source supports A documented Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry service record for a John W. Ashby: his rank, enrolment, capture in Maryland in September 1862, exchange, and presence with the company through April 1864. Uncertainty The file names no county of birth or residence, no parents and no date of birth, and it ends with the muster dated April 30, 1864; it says nothing of April 1865. It is attached to the John W. Ashby of the VMI Memorial sketch because the sketch places him in Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, the company of this file. Two details differ: the sketch calls him a private, while these cards call him sergeant and first sergeant; and the sketch says the company was organized in Warren County, while the cards give his enrolment at Conrad's Store. The returns for September and October 1862 name him "Wm. Ashby"; one muster card gives the enrolment year as 1861 and the others 1862. The cards are the War Department's later abstracts, not the original rolls. Read from the downloaded Fold3 scan at full resolution; no human historian has reviewed this claim. Source Contemporary document Evidence role: supports. The prisoner-of-war card: confined September 1862, paroled at Aiken's Landing, declared exchanged November 10, 1862. Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3 U.S. War Department (compiled service records of Confederate soldiers), National Archives microfilm publication M324 Locator: Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a List of Prisoners of War card, page 2 of 14 within the file Relevant passage J. W. Ashby, Sergt. Co. I 12 Regt. Va. Cav. Appears on a List of prisoners of war. List dated Not dated. Confined: When Sept. 9, 1862. By whom Maj. W. E. Doster. List bears the following indorsements: "Received at Aiken's Landing, on James River, Va., of Capt. Phillips, 135th Penna. Vols., Prisoners of War, paroled for exchange. ... Dated: Aiken's Landing, Va., Sept. 27th, 1862." "Declared Exchanged at Aiken's Landing, Nov. 10th, 1862." Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled. Open source Source family: nara-m324-ashby-john-w-co-i-12th-va-cav. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Contemporary document Evidence role: supports. The November 1862 return: captured September 8 at Poolesville, Md., since exchanged. Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3 U.S. War Department (compiled service records of Confederate soldiers), National Archives microfilm publication M324 Locator: Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; the Regimental Return card for November 1862 and its continuation, pages 5 and 6 of 14 within the file Relevant passage J. W. Ashby, Sgt, Co. I, 12 Reg't Virginia Cavalry. Appears on Regimental Return of the organization named above, for the month of Nov, 1862. ... Absent enlisted men accounted for: absent without leave was captured on the 8th Sept at Poolesville, Md. has since been exchanged & not yet reported. Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled. Open source Source family: nara-m324-ashby-john-w-co-i-12th-va-cav. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Contemporary document Evidence role: supports. The horse claim: horse killed in action September 8, 1862 near Poolesville; appraised for Sergt. J. W. Ashby, Co. I; paid October 1863. Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3 U.S. War Department (compiled service records of Confederate soldiers), National Archives microfilm publication M324 Locator: Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a Confederate States horse claim and its back, pages 14 and 13 of 14 within the file Relevant passage Confederate States To [J.] W. Ashby Dr. Sept 8th 1862. To one bright bay horse Killed in action $190.00 ... the horse was killed in action Sept 8th 1862 near Poolesville Md. A. M. Earle Lt Comdg Co I 12th V. C. ... a bright bay horse for J W Ashby Sergt in Co I 12 Va Cav on the 1st day of May 1862 at one hundred & ninety dollars ... Received October 21st 1863 of Capt A. M. Earle A. Q. M. ... in full of the within account. Jno W. Ashby Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled. Open source Source family: nara-m324-ashby-john-w-co-i-12th-va-cav. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses. Contemporary document Evidence role: supports. The last muster card: enrolment at Conrad's Store, April 25, 1862; present April 30, 1864. Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3 U.S. War Department (compiled service records of Confederate soldiers), National Archives microfilm publication M324 Locator: Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a Company Muster Roll card dated April 30, 1864, page 11 of 14 within the file Relevant passage John W Ashby, 1 Sgt, Co. I, 12 Reg't Virginia Cavalry. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above, for dated Apr 30, 1864. Joined for service and enrolled: When Apr 25, 1862. Where Conrads Store. By whom T B Massie. Period 3 yrs. ... Last paid: By whom Capt Earle. To what time Dec 31, 1863. Present or absent Present. Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled. Open source Source family: nara-m324-ashby-john-w-co-i-12th-va-cav. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

Evidence gallery

Each image is the document itself, cropped from a saved original, and is shown only after a check by a reader who did not choose it found that it supports the passage it is cited for. Open one to read it closely.

The dedication heading of the Confederate monument inscription in Gold's history (1914), printed p. 314: Erected to the memory of the sons of Clarke who gave their lives in defense of the rights of the states, with the first names of the East side.
What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one printed page; the rest of the page and the book is not shown.
Thomas D. Gold, History of Clarke County, Virginia (1914), p. 314. Rights Changes: Cropped to the document only (box 100,190 730x560 pixels of the page image); not retouched, enhanced, highlighted or re-encoded.
Source: History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states Open the full image
What this image is evidence for
Passage it reproduces: Printed p. 314, PDF p. 346 of the hosted copy, the dedication heading of the monument inscription
Statements on this site that rest on it:
Printed p. 314 of Gold's 1914 history of Clarke County carries the dedication heading of an inscription: "ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME," followed by the EAST SIDE names; the inscribed names on pp. 315-316 continue the list.
People namedEdmund Pendleton, Lewis Ashby, John W. Ashby
Typed transcription
ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME / EAST SIDE / 2nd Virginia Inf., Stonewall Brigade / LIEUT. COL. W. W. RANDOLPH / SERGT. MAJ. N. BURWELL
Source
History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states, Thomas D. Gold
Date as printed
1914 (published)
Page
314 as printed; PDF page 346
Passage
Printed p. 314, PDF p. 346 of the hosted copy, the dedication heading of the monument inscription
What it supports
Printed p. 314 of Gold's 1914 history of Clarke County carries the dedication heading of an inscription: "ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE SONS OF CLARKE who gave their lives in defense of the RIGHTS OF THE STATES and of Constitutional Government Fortune denied them success But they achieved IMPERISHABLE FAME," followed by the EAST SIDE names; the inscribed names on pp. 315-316 continue the list.
Treatment
Cropped to the document only; no retouch, no highlight.
RECORD Likely IDENTITY Unconfirmed
The claim is about the inscription's heading, not about any man; it says nothing of which man is meant.
See the original
The heading and opening of the sketch of John W. Ashby, private, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry, in the Memorial of the Virginia Military Institute (1875), printed p. 34: second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, born near White Post, December 15, 1833.
What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one printed page; the rest of the page and the book is not shown. Text at the edge of the crop is cut off.
Charles D. Walker, Memorial, Virginia Military Institute (1875), p. 34. Rights Changes: Cropped to the document only (box 90,1000 820x560 pixels of the page image); not retouched, enhanced, highlighted or re-encoded.
Source: Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Open the full image
What this image is evidence for
Passage it reproduces: Printed p. 34, PDF p. 35 of the hosted copy, the heading and first sentence of the sketch headed JOHN W. ASHBY
Statements on this site that rest on it:
The Virginia Military Institute Memorial (Walker, 1875), printed p. 34, opens its sketch with the heading "JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. 'I,' 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY" and says that "John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833."
People namedJohn W. Ashby
Typed transcription
JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. "I," 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY. John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833. On the 4th of August, 1851, he matriculated at the Virginia Military Institute, but did not remain to graduate. Soon after his elder brother, James L. Ashby, graduated, July 4, 1852, he left the Institute and joined his brother, in the corps of engineers in which he was engaged. In this corps he assisted in the laying off of Kansas Territory into townships, in location of towns, and also was employed in [the, on p. 35].
Source
Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Walker, Charles D.
Date as printed
1875 (published)
Page
34 as printed; PDF page 35
Passage
Printed p. 34, PDF p. 35 of the hosted copy, the heading and first sentence of the sketch headed JOHN W. ASHBY
What it supports
The Virginia Military Institute Memorial (Walker, 1875), printed p. 34, opens its sketch with the heading "JOHN W. ASHBY, OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA; PRIVATE, CO. 'I,' 12TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY" and says that "John W. Ashby, second son of Buckner and Sophia G. Ashby, was born near White Post, Clarke County, Virginia, on the 15th of December, 1833."
Treatment
Cropped to the document only; no retouch, no highlight.
RECORD Likely IDENTITY Likely
One memorial sketch; Gold's Co. I, 12th Va. list does not carry his name.
See the original
The rest of the sketch of John W. Ashby in the Memorial of the Virginia Military Institute (1875), printed p. 35: his companies, his death on April 9, 1865, near Appomattox, and the closing line on the two brothers.
What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one printed page; the rest of the page and the book is not shown.
Charles D. Walker, Memorial, Virginia Military Institute (1875), p. 35. Rights Changes: Cropped to the document only (box 15,330 840x1170 pixels of the page image); not retouched, enhanced, highlighted or re-encoded.
Source: Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States Open the full image
What this image is evidence for
Passage it reproduces: Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on his first company
Statements on this site that rest on it:
On printed p. 35 the VMI Memorial says that John W. Ashby "volunteered as a private in Co. 'A,' 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated 'Black Horse Cavalry,' commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby," and that "until the reorganization of the army in 1862" he "joined Co. 'I,' 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war."
People namedJohn W. Ashby
Typed transcription
[...] until the war commenced. In the beginning of the war, being unable to make such business arrangements as would admit of his leaving home immediately, he assisted in organizing and drilling several companies in his neighborhood. In the fall of 1861 he volunteered as a private in Co. "A," 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated "Black Horse Cavalry," commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby; the captain of "A" Company being the no less gallant Richard Ashby, a fellow élève with John W. Ashby, of the Virginia Military Institute, as well as a brother martyr in the Southern cause. In this company he served with distinguished credit as a brave and cool soldier, until the reorganization of the army in 1862, when he joined Co. "I," 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war. In his regiment John W. Ashby was very popular, his generous nature winning him friends among his comrades, and his readiness for duty commanding the respect and approbation of his officers. All through the war he was with his regiment, until sent on horse-detail a few months before the surrender. On the 6th of April, 1865, just three days before the grand old army of Northern Virginia breathed her last at Appomattox Court-House, he rejoined his regiment. On the morning of the 9th, just two hours before the catastrophe, he was struck in the stomach by a fragment of a shell, producing such severe wounds that death quickly ensued. It seemed very sad, when he had passed through four years' campaigns unscathed, that in the very last battle, when in a few hours he would have been safe, he should have fallen thus; yet he was spared witnessing his country's humiliation. Brave, generous, warm-hearted in nature, he was never without friends, and had few, if any, enemies. James L. Ashby, at Trevyllian, John W. Ashby, at Appomattox, two brave soldier-brothers in life, in death not long divided.
Source
Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Walker, Charles D.
Date as printed
1875 (published)
Page
35 as printed; PDF page 36
Passage
Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on his first company
What it supports
On printed p. 35 the VMI Memorial says that John W. Ashby "volunteered as a private in Co. 'A,' 7th Virginia Cavalry, the celebrated 'Black Horse Cavalry,' commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby," and that "until the reorganization of the army in 1862" he "joined Co. 'I,' 12th Virginia Cavalry, a company organized in Warren County, in the neighborhood where he resided before the war."
Treatment
Cropped to the document only; no retouch, no highlight.
RECORD Likely IDENTITY Likely
The same John W. Ashby as the heading on p. 34, by the sketch's own narrative.
See the original
The end of the North side names of the Confederate monument inscription in Gold's history (1914), printed p. 316, ending with J. W. Ashby, and the sentences after the list.
What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one printed page; the rest of the page and the book is not shown.
Thomas D. Gold, History of Clarke County, Virginia (1914), p. 316. Rights Changes: Cropped to the document only (box 70,190 770x720 pixels of the page image); not retouched, enhanced, highlighted or re-encoded.
Source: History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states Open the full image
What this image is evidence for
Passage it reproduces: Printed p. 316, PDF p. 348 of the hosted copy, the end of the NORTH side name list and the sentences after it
Statements on this site that rest on it:
Printed p. 316 of Gold's 1914 history prints "J. W. Ashby" as the last name of the "OTHER COMMANDS" list of the NORTH side of an inscription, below "Surg. Chas. McCormick," and goes on: "The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter."
People namedJohn W. Ashby
Typed transcription
T. Alexander | G. Ashby / G. N. Barnett | N. Anderson / J. Carter | J. Carroll / W. Castleman | C. L. Deahl / M. Copenhaver | C. Elyett / J. Everhart | J. Feltner / J. T. Keene | V. Green / W. T. Moreland | A. Martz / W. B. Page | B. Randolph / T. G. Russell | T. T. Royston / J. W. Smith | W. M. Shumate / W. M. Sowers | A. Shores / M. Taylor | G. Thompson / J. Vorous | C. Wiley / Surg. Chas. McCormick / J. W. Ashby / The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter. The J. E. B. Stuart Camp, assisted by [...]
Source
History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states, Thomas D. Gold
Date as printed
1914 (published)
Page
316 as printed; PDF page 348
Passage
Printed p. 316, PDF p. 348 of the hosted copy, the end of the NORTH side name list and the sentences after it
What it supports
Printed p. 316 of Gold's 1914 history prints "J. W. Ashby" as the last name of the "OTHER COMMANDS" list of the NORTH side of an inscription, below "Surg. Chas. McCormick," and goes on: "The address was delivered by Hon. James Marshall, himself an old soldier. The monument was unveiled by Miss Mary Washington Gold, president of the Stonewall Chapter."
Treatment
Cropped to the document only; no retouch, no highlight.
RECORD Likely IDENTITY Unconfirmed
"J. W." fits John W. Ashby of the VMI sketch, but the list gives no first name, company or date and the book gives no key; another J. W. Ashby cannot be ruled out from this page.
See the original

Cited, with no image here

Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on his second company. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on April 6, 1865. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the sentence of the sketch on the morning of the 9th. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Memorial, Virginia Military Institute: Biographical Sketches of the Graduates and Elèves of the Virginia Military Institute Who Fell During the War Between the States, Printed p. 35, PDF p. 36 of the hosted copy, the last sentence of the sketch. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3, Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a List of Prisoners of War card, page 2 of 14 within the file. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3, Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; the Regimental Return card for November 1862 and its continuation, pages 5 and 6 of 14 within the file. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3, Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a Confederate States horse claim and its back, pages 14 and 13 of 14 within the file. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.
Compiled service record of John W. Ashby, Co. I, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate), NARA M324, as viewed on Fold3, Fold3 file id 8916666, "Ashby, John Wm", Twelfth Cavalry; a Company Muster Roll card dated April 30, 1864, page 11 of 14 within the file. The page was read on its image; no crop of it is shown yet.

How we check the sources on this page.

Help fill in the gaps

Everything you send goes to a private queue that a person reads. Nothing is published without review.

No photograph of John W. Ashby is known to this site. Tell us about one
Where is he buried? Tell us
Do you know whether these records are the same man? Tell us

Know more? Add or correct (submit a veteran; a person reviews it)
Correct or ask for something to be removed
Share a memory
Tell us about a photo or document (describe it; the form takes words, not files)

Is this the same man?

Service summary

What the records say

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

What the source supports

Uncertainty

Source

Evidence gallery

Cited, with no image here

Help fill in the gaps