Rectortown in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rectortown
McClellan’s Demise, Mosby’s Raffle
— Mosby's Confederacy —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2020
Rectortown was also the site of a deadly raffle on November 6, 1864. Because Col. John S. Mosby’s men attributed the execution of seven of his Confederate rangers to Union Gen. George Custer, Mosby ordered the execution of an equal number of Federals, to be selected by lot from among 27 prisoners. Two drummer boys were among the prisoners, and one of them drew a fatal slip. When Mosby was informed of the circumstances he heeded the plea of a young artillery officer to allow a second drawing for a substitute. Ironically, the death lot was drawn by the officer who made the request. Ultimately, that officer and three others survived. Three were hanged.
The depot at this site was in use during the war and the building which houses farm equipment was one of Mosby’s headquarters. The stone building in front of you was used as a Federal prison and still has traces of graffiti drawn by prisoners.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Manassas Gap Railroad, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 5, 1862.
Location. 38° 54.974′ N, 77° 52.138′ W. Marker is in Rectortown, Virginia, in Fauquier County. Marker is on Maidstone Road, on the left when traveling west. Off VA 710 going through Rectortown, turn onto Maidstone Road (headed Southwest). After about 2000 feet, the marker and station are at the bend of a sharp right hand turn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rectortown VA 20140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Rosenwald School in Rectortown, "No. 12" (approx. 1.2 miles away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); Piedmont Station (approx. 2.8 miles away); Oak Hill (approx. 2.8 miles away); Delaplane (approx. 2.8 miles away); Mosby’s Rangers Disband (approx. 3½ miles away); McClellan Relieved From Command (approx. 3½ miles away); Salem (approx. 3.6 miles away).
More about this marker. Marker has two newspaper drawings depicting scenes described on the marker. The first is a picture of McClellan’s encampment, with the caption, “Gen. McClellan is relieved of command at his Rectortown headquarters by Gen. Burnside. Drawing by A. R. Waud in Harper’s Weekly.” The second depicts Mosby’s raffle with the caption, “Mosby’s Rangers supervise the death raffle on November 6, 1864. Drawing by Sidney W. Riesenberg.”
Also see . . . Civil War Traveler. Fauquier County (Submitted on February 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Mosby's Confederacy
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,520 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on January 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.