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Richardsons Hill,
Front Royal, Va.
Interpretive Marker: Richardson's Hill
Interpretive Marker: Execution of Mosby's Rangers
Historical marker at Richardsons Hill, Front Royal Va. - The disruption
of supply lines and the constant disappearance of couriers frustrated
Union commanders to such a degree that Grant told Sheridan, "When any of
Mosby's men are caught, hang them without trial." On September 23, 1864,
Union forces that Mosby believed (not necessarily correctly) to be
commanded by, and acting with the knowledge of, Union Brig. Gen. George A.
Custer executed six of Mosby's men in Front Royal, Virginia; a seventh was
executed on a subsequent occasion. William Thomas Overby was one of the
men selected for execution on the hill in Front Royal. His captors offered
to spare him if he would reveal Mosby's location, but he refused.
According to reports at the time, his last words were, "Mosby will hang 10
of you for every one of us." After his death, a Union soldier pinned a
piece of paper on his shirt that read: "Such is the fate of all of Mosby's
gang |
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Chester Street, Front Royal
Young Henry Rhodes who was on his first ride with the Rangers was
dragged down this street in full view of his mother, who pleaded for his
life, before being shot |
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Commerce Street, Front Royal
Henry Rhodes was shot in a field near the ballpark |
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Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal
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Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal
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Monument To Mosbys men executed in Front Royal dedicated on September
23,1899. The speaker was ex-Ranger Dolly Richards. The Rangers raised
funds for this monument by selling souvenir pieces of the Hanging Tree |
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Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal
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Monument to Mosby's men
Monument detail |
