Near Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Execution of Mosby’s Men

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 7, 2007

1. Execution of Mosby’s Men Marker

Inscription. On 23 Sept. 1864 in a fight south of town, some of Lt. Col. John S. Mosby’s Rangers mortally wounded Lt. Charles McMaster, 2nd U. S. Cavalry, after he allegedly surrendered. Union Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert’s cavalrymen retaliated by executing six captured Rangers nearby. They shot David L. Jones and Lucien Love behind the Methodist Church, Thomas E. Anderson beneath an Elm Tree, and Front Royal Resident Henry Rhodes in a field in front of Rose Hill. They hanged William Thomas Overby and a Ranger named Carter at the W. E. Carson house. Mosby, believing Gen. George A. Custer responsible, on 6 Nov. ordered an equal number of his men executed near Berryville.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: 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 September 23, 1864.

Location. 38° 57.188′ N, 78° 12.007′ W. Marker is near Front Royal, Virginia, in Warren County. Marker is at the intersection of Winchester Avenue (U.S. 340/522) and Guard Hill Road (County Route 637) on Winchester Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Front Royal VA 22630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Front Royal (here, next to this marker); Guard Hill Engagement (here, next to this marker); Guard Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); The Bridges (approx. 0.8 miles away); Recreational Center of Front Royal (approx. 1.1 miles away); Richardson’s Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Hill (approx. 1.6 miles away); The McKay Home (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Front Royal.

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker from the late 1920s or early 1930s with this same number but titled simply “Mosby’s Men” which read, “Near this spot several of Mosby’s men were executed by order of General Custer, September 23, 1864.” The older marker was about 1½ miles closer to Front Royal, near where the execution took place.

Regarding Execution of Mosby’s Men. This marker is one of several from a driving tour of the Front Royal Battlefield. The markers are listed in sequence on the Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers link below.

Also see . . . Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers. (Submitted on November 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, August 19, 2007

2. Execution of Mosby's Men Marker

Photographed By Robert Heyward, November 6, 2021

3. Execution of Mosby’s Men Marker

This is the original marker. It is currently located at the Warren Rifles Confederate Museum in Front Royal, Virginia Current map coordinates: (38°55'10.4N 78°11'28.9W)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 5,323 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on December 7, 2021, by Robert Heyward of Prattville, Alabama. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.