Rash's Surname Index


Notes for Joseph Penrose ASH

When seventeen years of age he became a member of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, and when the news came that Fort Sumter had been fired on, he hastened to Washington, and, 18 April 1861, was made first Lieutenant in the battalion raised by Cassius M. Clay to defend the city. For a reconnoissance he made across the potomac into the enemy's lines at great personal peril, President Lincoln appointed him second leiutenant in the regular army, 30 April 1861, and he was attached to the 5th Cavalry. Through deeds of conspicuous daring he was promoted first lieutenant and captain, and was brevetted major for gallentry in battle at Warrenton, Virginia, 8 November 1862, where he received three sabre-cuts and one bullet. He was brevetted Lieutenant- Colonel for gallentry at the battle of Spotsylvania on 8 May 1864, where he was killed at the head of his troop.
The heroic deed that makes his name historic occurred in February 1864, when Ash rode toward the enemy's lines on the Rapidan in full view of the enemy to discover their strength. The whole army fired at him, but he was unharmed. Then the rebels stopped shooting and cheered him for his bravery. No to be outdone, Ashh raised his hat and rode toward the Federal Army again. General Wesley Merritt thus spoke of this event:"I thought then, and still think, that it was the bravest deed on the part of an individual I ever witnessed."
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