Battle of Good's Farm

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.

Battle of Good's Farm
Part of Jackson's Valley Campaign, American Civil War
The death of Ashby during the battle
Date June 6, 1862 Location Near Harrisonburg, Virginia Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States	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

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