Civil War Union Soldier.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry regiment, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Infantry.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
While many Union soldiers went home after the end of the war, the men of the XXV Corps were dispatched to Texas along the Mexican border as a show of force to intimidate Emperor Maximilian from encroaching into American territory. It was there in Brownsville that George Ashby was promoted to 1st Sergeant of Company H, 45th USCT on August 15, 1865, and where he received his discharge in November 1865.
He returned to New Jersey, married, and settled into a long life in Allentown, becoming the father of nine children. One of his grandchildren, Harold James Ashby, would go on to become Deputy Attorney General for the state of New Jersey.
Despite his advanced age, he remained quick minded and sharp witted. When he was interviewed in 1944, he showed how closely he followed events in World War II, and expressed confidence in an Allied victory.
He outlived Private William H. Perrine of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who died in December 1945. His passing at age 102 in April 1946 marked an end of an era, leaving New Jersey bereft of any living Civil War veterans.
On the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington. DC, his name is displayed on Plaque #C-58.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Ashby. We owe you and all your comrades an unpayable debt.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry regiment, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Infantry.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
While many Union soldiers went home after the end of the war, the men of the XXV Corps were dispatched to Texas along the Mexican border as a show of force to intimidate Emperor Maximilian from encroaching into American territory. It was there in Brownsville that George Ashby was promoted to 1st Sergeant of Company H, 45th USCT on August 15, 1865, and where he received his discharge in November 1865.
He returned to New Jersey, married, and settled into a long life in Allentown, becoming the father of nine children. One of his grandchildren, Harold James Ashby, would go on to become Deputy Attorney General for the state of New Jersey.
Despite his advanced age, he remained quick minded and sharp witted. When he was interviewed in 1944, he showed how closely he followed events in World War II, and expressed confidence in an Allied victory.
He outlived Private William H. Perrine of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who died in December 1945. His passing at age 102 in April 1946 marked an end of an era, leaving New Jersey bereft of any living Civil War veterans.
On the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington. DC, his name is displayed on Plaque #C-58.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Ashby. We owe you and all your comrades an unpayable debt.
Civil War Union Soldier.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry regiment, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Infantry.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
While many Union soldiers went home after the end of the war, the men of the XXV Corps were dispatched to Texas along the Mexican border as a show of force to intimidate Emperor Maximilian from encroaching into American territory. It was there in Brownsville that George Ashby was promoted to 1st Sergeant of Company H, 45th USCT on August 15, 1865, and where he received his discharge in November 1865.
He returned to New Jersey, married, and settled into a long life in Allentown, becoming the father of nine children. One of his grandchildren, Harold James Ashby, would go on to become Deputy Attorney General for the state of New Jersey.
Despite his advanced age, he remained quick minded and sharp witted. When he was interviewed in 1944, he showed how closely he followed events in World War II, and expressed confidence in an Allied victory.
He outlived Private William H. Perrine of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who died in December 1945. His passing at age 102 in April 1946 marked an end of an era, leaving New Jersey bereft of any living Civil War veterans.
On the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington. DC, his name is displayed on Plaque #C-58.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Ashby. We owe you and all your comrades an unpayable debt.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry regiment, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Infantry.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
While many Union soldiers went home after the end of the war, the men of the XXV Corps were dispatched to Texas along the Mexican border as a show of force to intimidate Emperor Maximilian from encroaching into American territory. It was there in Brownsville that George Ashby was promoted to 1st Sergeant of Company H, 45th USCT on August 15, 1865, and where he received his discharge in November 1865.
He returned to New Jersey, married, and settled into a long life in Allentown, becoming the father of nine children. One of his grandchildren, Harold James Ashby, would go on to become Deputy Attorney General for the state of New Jersey.
Despite his advanced age, he remained quick minded and sharp witted. When he was interviewed in 1944, he showed how closely he followed events in World War II, and expressed confidence in an Allied victory.
He outlived Private William H. Perrine of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who died in December 1945. His passing at age 102 in April 1946 marked an end of an era, leaving New Jersey bereft of any living Civil War veterans.
On the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington. DC, his name is displayed on Plaque #C-58.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Ashby. We owe you and all your comrades an unpayable debt.
Bio by: RPD2
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