Near Shenandoah in Page County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Execution of Summers and Koontz

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

1. Execution of Summers and Koontz Marker

Inscription. On 22 May 1865, after the Civil War ended, Capt. George W. Summers, Sgt. I. Newton Koontz, and two other armed veterans of Co. D, 7th Virginia Cavalry, en route to obtain their paroles, robbed six Federal cavalrymen of their horses near Woodstock. The horses were returned the next day to the 192d Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Rude's Hill in Shenandoah County. Despite assurances that all was forgiven, Lt. Col. Cyrus Hussy, temporarily commanding the 192d, later ordered the men arrested at their homes in Page County. The other two escaped, but Summers and Koontz were shot without trial on Rude's Hill on 27 June. They were buried at different locations near here.

Erected 1999 by the Virginia Department of Historical Resources, sponsored by funding from descendants of Page County Confederate Veterans. (Marker Number J-95.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Law Enforcement • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1865.

Location. 38° 33.762′ N, 78° 36.197′ W. Marker is near Shenandoah, Virginia, in Page County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 340 and Panther Drive,

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on the right when traveling south on U.S. 340. The marker stands in front of the Page County High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5662 Route 340, Shenandoah VA 22849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brick Church School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Catherine Furnace (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Burning of Red Bridge (approx. 2½ miles away); Somerville Heights (approx. 2½ miles away); Shenandoah Iron Works District War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial Fields (approx. 4.8 miles away); Shenandoah World War I & II Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Chestnut Oak (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shenandoah.

Regarding Execution of Summers and Koontz. This marker is one of several detailing Civil War activities in Page County, Virginia. Please see the Page County Civil War Markers link below.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers detailing this incident.

Also see . . .
1. Page County Civil War Markers. (Submitted on February 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Avenue of Armies: Civil War Sites and Stories of Luray and Page County, Virginia. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

2. Execution of Summers and Koontz Marker

Additional commentary.
1. Execution of Summers and Koontz
Was Lt. Col. Cyrus Hussy & his men involved in this incident ever brought to justice for this war crime? There should have been a Court-Martial followed by their own execution for this terrible war crime.

— Submitted May 17, 2024, by Steven Lee Cassel of Columbus, Ohio.

Headstone of Capt. George W. Summers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II

3. Headstone of Capt. George W. Summers

Located in the Summers Family Cemetery, near Grove Hill, Va.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,057 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on June 11, 2024, by Steven Lee Cassel of Columbus, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.