The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-14


prepared. bu, seven only of them were
numbered. They were then all put into
n hat. and each prisoner was required
TO draw forth one Of them. Those who
drew blonks were to be sent to Richmond
as prisoners OF war. but those who drew
numbers were 10 be hung. Various were
the emotions depicted on the counte-
nances as each man put his hand In the
hat. Firmncss. with his closed lips ana
unquailins eye: stolid Indifference; and
Fear. with his ashen cheek and trembling
hand. were all there. Brewster. TIE
lawyer was there, too, and with agonized
looks, was watching the fate OF ms
brother, while tears coursed down MS
checks. As each hand was taken from
the hat an expression of JOY and rehet
would brighten the countenance, or a
groan OF anguish or a cry OF despair
would burst from the lips.
The condemned men were at once set
apart and closely guarded. The TWO Oh
ncers had drawn blanks. but not so
the drummer-boy. His appeals 10 Gap
tain Richards were now louder ana more
eloquent than ever. who touched WIN
compassion, interceded with Mosoy Tor
his release. The application was grant
ed. for the boy. in truth. ought never
to have been subjected to the lottery
But another had to be substituted IN ms
place for Mosby remembered the black
ened corpses Of overly and Carter. as
they hung IN the parching wind.
The prisoners. in cruel suspense. again
stood in line. but now only one death
warrant was In the hat. Captain
brewster again escaped but the art.l-
lery oxcCr was not so fortunate.
4 detail was made 20 execute the
sentence Of retaliation, for the condemn
"a soldiers worc % Doe carried TO the
Valley, and were to be executed In a.
ueighborhOOd Of Winchester. AS the
party was passing through Ashby'c Gap.
they were met by Captain Mountjoy. VINO
was returning from the Valley with
an additional supply Of prisoners taken
from General Clusters command.
Among the men condemned to death he
recognized the artillery officer ana one
of his companions to be Freemasons. and
on his own responsibility substituted IN
their places two Of his own prisoners.
The melancholy procession again set for
ward Owing to the darkness, the roac
was lost, and at daylight s., VINO
was In command Of the party. found him.
self at RosemOnt, on the edge or Berry
VILE. and he there determined to execute
the sentence. for one prisoner had al
ready escaped and had not been missed
until then.
The man who was first called up begged
for delay. and said he was not ready
20 die. His request was granted, and
he was postponed till the last. Three
were hung and the others shot. But
the last prisoner. when his turn came,
was not then prepared to die. and strik-
ing the guard who held him by the col
lar a blow which felled him to re
ground. rushed past him, and, screened
by tho misty dawn. was soon lost to
view.
When the substitution made by Captain
Mountjoy was reported to Mosby, he
was much offended and with severity
told him he must remember in future
that his command was not Masonic
lodge.
A few days after this execution, Col
onel Mosby transmitted 10 General sher-
idan the following communication:
November II. 1864.
MAI. p. IT. Sheridan. commanding IT,.
:. forces i'm the valley
"Gcneral.-some time i'm the month OF
September. during my absence from my
command six Of my men, who had been
CAPTURED by your forces. were hung and
shot in the street Of Front Royal, by the
order and I'm the immediate presence or.
Brigadier-Conoral Custer. Siace then.
another captured by a Colonel Powell
on plundering expedition into Rappa-
hann0ch). shared a similar fate. \ label
affixed to the coat OF one Of the muir
dercd men declared that this would be
tho fate Of Mosby and all his men.
Since the murder OF my men. not less
than seven hundred prisners, including
many officers Of high rank. CAPTURED
from your army by this command. have
been forwarded 10 Richmond. but the
execution Of my purpose Of retaliation
was deferred. in order as far as possible.
10 conhne IT'S operation TO the men or
Custer and Powell. Accordingly on
the 9Th instant. seven OF your men were,
by my order. executed on the Valley
turnpke-your highway OF travel. Here
after. any prisoners falling into my
hands Will be treated with the kindness
due 10 their condition. unless some new
act OF rarbarity shall compel me re-
luctantly TO adopt q line Of policy re-
pugnant tc humanity.
Every respectfully
"Your obedient servant.
JOHN s. MOSBY.
"Lieutenant-CO Colonel"
We the Committee appointed by Mosby
Camp 10 solicit subscriptions 10 erect a
monument al Front Royal. Va, to the
memory Of our six comrades-Anderson,
Carter Jones. overly. Love, and Rhodes
who. while prisoners of war, were hung
or shot 10 death. by the order OF General
c ster. in the year 1854.
the emory OF these brave boys who
met on untimely death in defence OF
their country. deserves TO be perpetuated.
alc we earnestly appeal 10 all sur
vi, ors Il the Forty-thIrd Battalios. Nir-
e.nla Cavalry. to aid In rendering long
doiaNed Justice {, our fallen comrades.
NJ So descriptions should be sent to the
r. easurer w. Ben. Palmer No. 1921
Cay 81 Get. Richmond Va, or TO any
r. emher Of the committee.
W. BEN. PAL ETR
Richmond. Va,
J. W. HAMMOND.
Alexandria, Va,
ROBERT NJ. NARROWER,
Washington u. c.,
Committee.