Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-12
A MONUMENT TO MOSBY'S MEN.
To the Editor. Ofthe ALernndrin Gazette:

A MONUMENT TO MOSBY'S MEN
| To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
As one of the surviving members Of
Mosby't command, [ feel deep inter
est in everything connected with the
monument to be erected in Front Roy
al, TO the memory of the men who were
hanged and shot there September %,
1864.
Thomas Anderson was a native OF
my county Fauquier, ,--and resided only
five miles from my home. l knew him
we'll. Having seen several references
in the Baltimore Sun expressing oppo-
sition on the part Of some of the mem.
bers of the command to the location se.
lected by the CON mmittee, and having
very recently read an article in the
Alexandria Gazette from Captain Font.
Beattie on the subject, have concluded
to write few lines as TO the location
of the monument. know Front Roy
al and its surroundings we'll, having
been twice pastor OF the Methodist
Church, Of the town.
| hesitate 10 write in opposition TO a
position taken by Captain Beattie,
whose soldierly qualities, intelligence
and high gentlemanIy attainments en-
title his views to respect and careful
for consideration, but this question.
liks others, has two sides. 1t seems
that Captain Beattieand others prefer
what they call the square il front OF
the "Strickler House, As the location
the monument, There is no square
there; it is trisngu ar shaped piece
CT ground ioimed by the intersac-
ton of two streets, but does not
al ,rd sufficient room for the monu-
ment and inclosure without being
an obstruction to the drive ways on
che streets. There the monument
would be surrounded by houses, the
nearest OF which OH three sides would
not be more than so feet from it. In
case of fire (Which is not improbable,
AS the largest of these buildings, the
"Strickler House, is wood) it would
unQuestionably be damaged and per-
haps seriously so. On Christmas, and
other festive occasions, the boys con-
gregate on this piece ofground to shoot
fire-crsckers, rockets, etc, and the
monument would come in for its part
of the blacking, etc La muddy wealth
or it would be splashed with mud about
lts base, in dry weather it would be
covered with dust. Besides, Henry
Rhodes was not killed there, but on
the northern end of the town, on land
then owned by Mr.. Richardson. Cor
corning the death of Henry Rhodes,
ONE things have been published
which are not in keeping with the facts
In the case. 1t has been stated that he
was tied to tue tail OF horse and drag
ged through the streets: fsel sure that
this is q mistake. When / came here
10 1873 to live, had en- account of the
sad and barbsrous affair given me by
different persons, and none of them
ever intimated that be was tied to the
tail Of q horse. The statement Was
that be was stood between two
horses, his arms strapped to the
saddle, and dragged up and down
the streets until his shoulders
were dislocated, while his widowed
mother was pleading and begging for
him. For inhumapity and brutality,
this is 10 better than the report to
which reference is made. Besides, these
.tatemeuts, | have before me letter
written bp his aster, bearing the date
of June 7, 1899, 10 which she gives the
particulars in connection with the cap
ture and killing of her brother minuiely.
such as his body being brought to the
house in a wheel barrow, by Joseph
d, xon, colored man. She writes OF
the very harsh treatment which the
family received after the body was in
the house. but makes 10 mention OF his
having been tied to the tail Of horse.
I think it is safe to assume that, if such
had been the case she would have men
toned it.
This monument is to erected to the
memory of six men, Had all of them
been killed at the same place, there
would be strong reasons for having 1t
located at that place, but the six men
were killed at three different spots-An-
derson and Love were shot on the west
err side of the town, Rhodes and Jones
were shot on the northern side of the
town, and OVERLY and Carter were
hupc on the hill north OF the town over
looking the Shenandoah river. The
location proferei by the ladies
Of the Memorial Association, and
which has tesn rs l am inf 'rmed
ANONYMOUSLY accepted by the commit
tee with authority to select the place
and make all arrangements is oeautl
tnl and commanding site. The town Ii
hnilt up to the meiery enclosure anc
the site for the monument is not more
than $50 or 500 yards at the outside IRON
Manor avenue, one of the principal res
idential streets of Front Royal, ana OF
which the court house is located:
Beginning few yards from the en-
trance, the hill and the cemetery, look'
inc toward the town are terraced Tor
hundred yards, the ascent over the ter
races is by granite steps, and cemen
pavements between the terraces. On tht
last terrace on the brow of the bill, ane
on q line with the steps, Il
the spot selected for the mon
ument to perpetuate the memory
of our six comrades, who dice
here at the hands of their enemies. In'
site is one which commands the view
of every part of the town ant
snrrorn6inp conntrv. Here yol