 Just after midnight, Ashburn was murdered at a house on the corner of 13th Avenue and 1st Street by a group of five well-dressed men wearing masks.During the time of Ashburn’s murder, Georgia was still under the military governorship of General George Meade (the victor of Gettysburg), of the Third Military District.As soon as he heard of the murder, Meade implemented martial law in Columbus, removing the mayor from office, and ordering the immediate arrest of all suspects.