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Administrative Information

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Bibliography

Bushong, Millard K. General Turner Ashby and Stonewall's Campaign. Verona, VA: McClure Printing Co. Inc., 1980.
Cunningham, Frank. Knight of the Confederacy: General Turner Ashby. San Antonio, TX: Naylor Co., 1960.

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Container List

• "D.F.A" to "My dear Child"
  August 1852
  Scope and Content

  Explains what Turner Ashby is doing as he stays at Mrs.Grayson's house. There is mention of a gathering at the Spring and the expected arrival of Mary. [D.F.A. is probably Dorothea F. Ashby, Turner's mother.]

• "M Allen" to "My dear Madam"
  Aug. 9, 1853
  Scope and Content

  Reply to a letter to Bettie who was ill; plans of different friends; some speakers from Baltimore.

• "Dora" to "My darling Mother"
  Oct. 27, 1853
  Scope and Content

  A recount of opera, Crystal Palace, & Lt. Nicholas' house suggest trip to New York City. [Dora is the sister of Turner Ashby.]

• From unsigned to "My dearest Mol-"
  July 28, 1854
  Scope and Content

  Written at Argyle; concerns home affairs at Clarke including a drought in the corn, sickness, babies, and servants.

• "Turner Ashby" to "Dear Dora"
  Jan. 14, 1861
  Scope and Content

  written at Raven's Craig. Hopes to get off for a couple of weeks; gives Dora authority to sign his name concerning the sale of a servant, Louisa; engagement of Milly Stribling [a friend of the family]. TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.

• "Richard Ashby" to "Dear Mama"
  March 12, [1861]
  Scope and Content

  written from Richmond. Expresses sadness because won't be coming to Stafford although happy in Richmond. Special remembrances to the servants. [Richard is brother of Turner.]

• "We the undersigned Ladies of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, Va" to "Lt. Col. Ashby"
  [After June 16, 1861]
  Scope and Content

  written at a camp near Duffins Depot. Petition for protection from the enemy by having one or two companies stationed there.

• Wednesday morning "Dora" to "My Dear Beck" at Markham
  [Before July 3, 1861]
  Scope and Content

  Report of weddings, response to kind letter and trip. Describes bachelor dinners given to TA before his return to Washington.

• "Mary C. Braxton" to "Mr. Ashby" [Turner]
  July 15, 1861
  Scope and Content

  written from Elmwood. Condolences for the death of the recipient's brother [probably Richard, on July 3, 1861] during battle; faith of her sister, Harrity, who is taking the death of her idol very hard. [Mary C. Braxton is a friend of the family.]

• "Dora Ashby" to "Dearest Mary"
  [Before July 22, 1861]
  Scope and Content

  [on back: Mrs. Mary Moncure] written from Ravenswood to Chelsea. Bad weather has kept her from going back to school [to teach]; a party where Annie is flirting like a belle; hi to Mammy and all the servants. In an additional note, D. F. Ashby accepts invitation to move to Chelsea. [Mary is also Turner's sister.]

• "Dora Moncure" to "My dearest brother" [Turner]
  July 22, [1861]
  Scope and Content

  Written at Ravenswood. Expresses thanks for the sparing of brother's life at Manassas. Death of brother, Dick, [Richard] who was engaged. Mr. [Powhatan] Moncure is too sick to be drafted.

• "Dora" to "My Dear Mother" at Chelsea [on back: Mrs. D. F. Ashby]
  [July 1861]
  Scope and Content

  Suggests moving and in Dora's state of health cannot take care of the servants. Mentions an overseer; news of Manassas.

• "Fanny Ashby" to "My Dear Mary" [on back: Mrs. Mary Moncure]
  [July 1861]
  Scope and Content

  Concerns about family members; sadness at Mary not coming to Ravenswood. [Cousin of Turner] waiting to hear news of Manassas.

• "Harriette Caputon"[?] to [on envelope dated Sept. 5 from Union Va: Mrs. Dora A. Moncure], from Elwood.
  Sept. 4, [1861]
  Scope and Content

  Grief at loss of Dora's brother [probably Richard], her "life's happiness". Concern for D.F.A.'s illness.

• "Turner Ashby" to "Dear Dora" written at Camp Lookout.
  Sept. 6, 1861
  Scope and Content

  Tells of camp duties, skirmishes with the enemy and casualties Ends with "give love to Mary." TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.

• "Harriette Caputon"[?] to [D.F.Ashby] from Elmwoood.
  Oct. 4, [1861]
  Scope and Content

  Grieves over loss of [Richard]; encouragement that remaining children can be her comfort.

• Friday Evening "Harriete Caputon"[?] to [on envelope: Mrs. Dora A. Moncure] written from Elmwood.
  [Oct. 5 1861]
  Scope and Content

  Response to Dora's letter. Encouraging thoughts for families; grief over [Richard's] death.

• "Dora" to "my sweet sister."
  Oct. 21, [1861]
  Scope and Content

  Describes home life & having enough to get by. Mentions Fanny as a sister. Good relations with neighbors and friends.

• "Dora Moncure" to "My Dear Sister" [on back: Mrs. George W. Moncure Chelsea]
  [Dec. 25, 1861]
  Scope and Content

  Family matters. Gift exchange on Christmas and bad road conditions. Prescription from Dr. Rase for mother.

• Tuesday "Dora Moncure" to "My Dearest Sister" written from Ravenswood.
  [Before June 6, 1862]
  Scope and Content

  Tells of letters from Robbie and news of Turner and George dispelling rumors of Turner's death. A visit from a Presbyterian Chaplain and other family matters.

• Monday "Susan Shacklett" to "My dear Dora" written from Richmond
  [After June 6, 1862]
  Scope and Content

  Inquiry about the family since the Yankees had raided them; Turner as one of the greatly loved Generals; the place where he fell near Harrisonburg.

• "Bettie A.[?] Green" [cousin] to "My dear Dora" written from Mountain View
  March 2, [1863?]
  Scope and Content

  Dining at Markham [previously Rose Bank, home of the Ashbys]. Acquaintances and health of herself and mother. [Green was D.F.A.'s maiden name.]

• Monday Eve "Dora" to "My Own Dear Sister" [on back:Mrs. George Moncure]
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Story of soldier's death at sister's home. Concern for sister's health and Robbie.

• Friday Eve [Dec.] "Dora" to "My Dear Sister" written from Chestnut Hill
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Moving back to Ravenswood. Christmas dinner, exhausted after childbirth, impatience with Milly, a black woman.

• Tuesday night "D.A.M." [Dora A. Moncure] to "My own Dear Sister" [Mary]
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Describes cough and sickness. Neighbors helping, talk of servants leaving but can't get along without one. George is in Mountain View. TRANSCRIPTION available in folder.

• Tuesday "Dora Moncure" to "My Dearest Sister" [Mary] witten from Ravenswood
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Newborn baby of Mary; asks her to consider having Miss Eliza Harry come up to take care of the family and nurse the child. Describes food sent.

• Saturday, the 10th "Dora" to "My Dear Mother"
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Log of the trip back from Chelsea. Explains house chores and visitors.

• [Undated] "Vic"[?] to "Dear Cousin Mary" [on back: Mrs. George V. Moncure Chelsea]
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  Staying with Aunt Ashby; mentions family members; an invitation to come to their house after children's sickness; Dora's baby boy.

• [Undated] "PM" [possibly Powhatan Moncure, Dora's husband] to "My Dearest Bet"
  Undated
  Scope and Content

  An invitation to D.F. Ashby to come with Dora and convalesce in quietude.