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Cary speaks to history lovers

The Senoia Historical Society heard author and Fayette County historian, Carolyn Cary, tell about her new book.

Entitled “William Thomas Overby: Proud Partisan Ranger” it tells of a Coweta Countian who was hung near the end of The War Between The States. He was buried in Virginia from September, 1864 to December, 1996.

The Commonwealth of Virginia gave permission to the Sharpsburg Sharpshooters Sons of Confederate Veterans to disinter the body and return it to Newnan. He was re-interred in the Confederate section of Oak Hill Cemetery.

William Thomas Overby lived in the Longstreet Community now known as Sharpsburg. The subdivision on Georgia Highway 34 called Thomas Overby was his home place from 1839 until he entered Confederate service in May, 1861.

“I spent six years in research,” Cary said, “most of it in Virginia and at the National Archives in Washington D.C. The folks at the Archives and I got on a first name basis.”

Overby and five others were captured by Union forces and all were killed. Overby was given the Confederate Medal of Honor for refusing to tell the location of his commanding officer, Colonel John S. Mosby. Overby was described by local townspeople as sitting erect on his horse, chin up, and remaining loyal to his compatriots.

The Senoia Historical Society meets each third Thursday evening at its headquarters, at the corner of Pylant and Couch streets. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and all interested persons are welcome to attend. For information, contact Joanne Utt, 770-599-6457.