In the autumn of 1864, each the Union and Confederate forces within the Shenandoah Valley have been caught up in a cycle of violence and retaliation. Civil wars are characterised by nuances, tragedy, and surprising sacrifices and victory of the human thoughts. Two essential occasions helped put an finish to this bloody impasse.
In mid-October 1864, Union troopers wore leather-based straps across the neck of former Baptist divinity scholar Albert Gallatin Willis. The 20-year-old Confederate, a member of Mosby’s Rangers, prayed with braveness after they confronted the executioner within the closing seconds of the Earth.
Willis survived a number of skirmishes and a tragic slender escape as a member of the forty third Battalion or Mosby Battalion or Mosby Ranger Company C. He was transferring south in the direction of his house in Culpeper, Virginia. With one other ranger when his horse will get lame outdoors the patchwork of the present Ben venue house. The native blacksmith’s Hammer and Anvil cover the rattle of the approaching Union cavalry whereas uninterested in two unsuspecting Confederates. Overwhelmed by the numbers, the rebels surrendered and not using a combat and have been taken to Colonel William Henry Powell’s headquarters. Powell ordered one of many two males to be executed in retaliation from union troopers just a few days in the past.
The story of a big a part of Mosby Ranger Willis is explored within the uncharted story and the story of Union Scouts, which influenced the creation of the Confederate Secret Service and the American Special Forces, in my upcoming e-book, The Unvanquished: The Undold Special Forces, the Manhunt of Mosby Rangers, and the Shadow War that cast American particular operations.
After discovering Willis’s non secular background, he informed the younger ranger he might assert exemption as a pastor, however refused in personal. Powell then ordered the 2 prisoners to attract straws and determine which one could be hanged. Willis’s companion pulled a brief straw and shed tears. “I’ve a spouse and a toddler. I’m not a Christian, I’m afraid of dying,” the unfortunate man pleaded. Willis replied, “I’ve no household, I’m a Christian, I’m not afraid to die.”
Unfortunately, Willis will not be the final individual to be executed. Hello, a deadly collection of murders and retaliation adopted
They spoke about it – I’m sitting on a horse
S Wake.
Mosby notified General Robert E. Lee of the union’s execution, writing, “My objective is to hold an equal variety of Custer males each time I catch them.” Lee agreed to Mosby’s strategy to cease the violence.
On November 4th, Mosby deliberate to hold out Lee’s orders as 27 union prisoners have been taken prisoner outdoors the practice depot in Lectletown, Virginia. Each one pulled a scrap of white paper from his hat. 20 blanks. Seven marks. The unfortunate seven folks run.
Several males prayed loudly. Each picked a slip of paper. Some breathtaking aid. Others cried out, “Oh, what a god!” The hysterical drummer boy extracted a clean slip and have become his large aid. The second drummer boy was not so fortunate.
Upon listening to that the boy was being criticized, Mosby ordered his fast launch. The remaining 19 males who thought they’d deceived their deaths (and different drummer boys have been additionally excluded) drew so much once more till they selected Mark.
Calmly, the Confederates tied up the accused man, put him on horseback, and rode him in the direction of the Shenandoah Valley. There, Mosby was shot 4 males and ordered three to be hanged.
However, not every little thing went in accordance with the plan. When one of many prisoners was given time to hope, he was capable of launch his hand whereas on his knees. He jumped to his ft, punched the closest ranger in his face, and escaped into the woods. Surprised, the Confederate military was fired by the remaining prisoners. A misfire allowed the second man to flee. The Confederates hanged the remaining three prisoners, saying, “These males have been hanged by the identical variety of Colonel Mosby males, hanging on the orders of General Custer of Front Royal, and as many Colonel Mosby males have been hanged.
When Mosby’s males returned and defined what had occurred, as an alternative of executing extra males, the Grey Ghost Center Ranger chased the Ranger to Winchester below a white flag in Sheridan’s letter. In the letter, Mosby detailed the scenario, together with capturing greater than 700 prisoners and sending them to Richmond. He added, “Next, the prisoners who fall in my arms will probably be handled kindly for his or her situation.
Russell returned with a letter from Sheridan. Neither man had a dialogue concerning the contents of the letter, however the retaliatory murders stopped.