Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/263

 The Monument to Mosty/'* .)////. _':>:>

into Rappahannock county. A detail of Mosby's men were at the same time escorting some Federal prisuiu-rs to Richmond, when they encountered Colonel Powell's command. One of them, A. C. Willis, was captured. Under the order of Colonel Powell, he was hung on the following day.

EACH A HERO.

Be it said to the credit of American manhood, that there was not one of the seven but who met his fate with the calm courage of a hero. Even he, from around whose neck the loving arms of a mother were unclasped that he might be led to his execution, never faltered in his patriotism, nor trembled as he faced his martyrdom. This monument is to be unveiled in memory of those men who were thus executed as common criminals. The history of the world scarcely recalls a parallel. We had gallant men and officers scores of them who fell in the thickest of the fight, and yet we have erected no monument to them; but it is to the memory of these men who suf- fered martyrdom, that the survivors of Mosby's command are gath- ered to do honor to-day.

" It is grand to die in battle Serenaded by the rattle

Of the hissing shot and shell; While the flag rent half asunder Gleams above the sullen thunder, Sounding ceaselessly thereunder

Ah! to die like this is well: Yet, how terrible to meet him, When with shackled hands we greet him, With no weapon to defeat him

Such the ending that befell, Those whose names we breathe again Martyrs, seven of Mosby's men.

DEEDS OF MOSBY'S MEN.

But why were they thus made to suffer? Was their execution the result of sudden heat, or of some fixed policy determined upon by the Federal commanders for the extermination of Mosby's men ? There was nothing in the personnel of the command that required such cruel measures. They were the young men of the South, edu- cated and reared as are the young Virginians of to-day. They had never tortured or executed their prisoners. We must then look in