Just received word, earlier today from the History Press, that my last book, Tragedy in the Shenandoah Valley: The Story of the Summers-Koontz Execution, is going to be made available as an e-book in the near future. Will pass along details when I know more. If you don’t have a hard-copy yet… now would be a good time to get one :)
If you are unfamiliar with it, the book goes into the story behind the postwar execution of George W. Summers and Isaac Newton Koontz… both formerly members of the Massanutten Rangers of Co. D, 7th Virginia Cavalry… Summers being the last captain/commander, and Koontz holding the rank of sergeant. The story is a blend of the uncertainty immediately following the war, along with local Southern Unionism… including that of Summers’ father. To top it off, Koontz was engaged when executed… to the woman who later become my third great grandmother.
I can’t believe it’s been almost six years since I published my last book… time to get back on the ball…
Lyn Bain
January 1, 2013
My grandmother (George Decatur Dovel’s granddaughter Mary) recently passed away. One of the things that has been passed to me is an original broadsheet called “A Fair, Candid, and Unbiassed Statement of the cause which led to the execution of my Son, Capt. Geo. W. Summers, and the circumstances connected therewith.” It’s in very good condition and, after reading it, a search led me to your site and this book to help me understand why it was significant to my family. I’m ordering the book to try to find the relationships! Thank you for your research. I’ve been doing the ancestry research in my family and this is an interesting part of family history that I’m only beginning to understand.
Robert Moore
January 2, 2013
Glad you have one of the original broadsides! I’ve only seen copies. Hope you enjoy the book!