--The appearance of the late
Gen. Turner Ashby, as he lay in his coffin at the
Parish House,
Charlottesville, is thus described.
‘"He lay there as if a gentle slumber had fallen upon him, his physiognomy indicating resolution, determination and firmness — heavy black eyelashes and eyebrows, long black and thick flowing beard and moustache, prominent forehead, showing quick perception and thought; dark complexion and an honest
Virginia face.
He was about 40 years of age."’ A correspondent of the Lynchburg
Republican, writing from
Charlottesville, June 9th, gives the following sketch of the here's burial:
‘
At three o'clock yesterday evening a procession, military and civic, was formed in front of the
Farish House, including about 60 of the brave cavalry who had fought by the side of their fallen leader, and proceeded through Main street to the
University Chapel where the funeral services were performed by
the Rev. Mr. Norton and
Rev. Mr. Avery, the latter had been the chaplain to the cavalry from the opening of the war. Both spoke of the deceased in terms of high praise as a man, a soldier and a christian.
The brave soldiers wept as they listened to the pious exhortations of the clergyman.
They had lost a host in
Gen. Ashby, but they were exhorted to imitate him in all things, and especially in his veneration and respect for Christianity; the country would look to them for deeds of greater valor than had ever yet been accomplished by them, and there, on the dead body of their late
commander, they should swear not to sheathe their swords while a hostile enemy pointed the soil of
Virginia and the
South.
After the services in the chapel, the remains of
Gen. Ashby were conveyed to the
University Cemetery and committed, ‘"earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust." ’
Col. T. J. Randolph and the
Professors of the
University assisting in the ceremony.
The grave was covered by the cavalry and then they fired several volleys over it, and there he will remain in this classic ground fill the last trump shall summon all the general judgment.
Our citizens intend to raise a suitable monument over the grave of
Gen. Ashby.
’
