During the American Civil War Turner raised a company to fight with the Confederate States Army in the 36th Virginia Infantry and later became a staff officer.
They had six children, but most died before reaching adulthood; only Frank Van Lear Turner (1866-1939) would survive both parents.
He had married and practiced law in Ripley, the county seat, and owned 5364 in real estate and nearly as much personal property (his name does not appear on the single page slave schedule that survived).
[5] Turner left for the capital at Richmond, and in June was assigned to the staff of Gen. Stonewall Jackson.
Turner served on other staffs after Jackson's death, was promoted to the rank of major before the war's end.