Execution of Mosby’s Rangers

On September 23, 1864, Union cavalrymen captured six of Lt. Col. John S. Mosby’s Rangers a few miles south of Front Royal after Capt. Samuel F. Chapman split his force in two to attack what he thought was an unguarded ambulance train and then discovered that two Union cavalry divisions trailed it. Chapman tried to call off the attack, but the Federals quickly encircled the Rangers; most cut their way out and escaped, allegedly killing a captured Union officer after he surrendered, while six were ridden down and taken to Front Royal. Believing Mosby’s men had killed that officer, the Federals executed the prisoners in retaliation, probably with the approval of Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert, though Mosby blamed Gen. George A. Custer and promised vengeance on Custer’s men. Four of the captives were shot and two, including William Thomas Overby, were hanged after refusing to reveal the location of Mosby’s headquarters; Overby’s last words warned that Mosby would hang ten of his enemies for every one of his men. One of those executed, seventeen-year-old Henry Rhodes, was not a Ranger but a Front Royal boy who had long wanted to join them; he rode into battle that morning on a neighbor’s horse, was captured when his mount collapsed, and was shot in sight of his mother. Near Berryville on November 7, Mosby carried out retribution by ordering the execution of seven captured Federals, most from Custer’s command.

Front Royal, Virginia · United States