does any body know if charcoal ash is good for any thing?

Don't use charcoal ashes! :O
They have harmful chemicals in it that is bad for your garden bed and the garden environment. Stick to leaves or wood ashes. It has approx. up to 70% calcium carbonate in it plus good levels of potassium depending on the plant species.

P.S. Since it has calcium in it, wood ashes are good lime agents to raise pH and de-acidify the soil.
However, use wood ashes sparily! They can raise it too much! B-)