Col. Mosby, Rangers to Raid Downtown Herndon in Historic Reenactment

History will come alive in downtown Herndon on St. Patrick’s Day as Col. John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers ride into town.

Historical re-enactors will recreate Mosby’s surprise attack on the First Vermont Cavalry, stationed at the Herndon Depot downtown. Reenactments will be held at 11 a.m. as well as 2 p.m. on March 17, along with living history portrayals.

The Herndon Historical Society and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the free event with support from the Town of Herndon and many local businesses.

Mosby’s raid will recreate the St. Patrick’s Day in 1863 when troopers from the First Vermont were relaxing at the depot and a nearby sawmill.

Herndon and surrounding areas were supposed to be occupied exclusively by Union forces, and Mosby and the Rangers arrived at about the same time as a Union relief detachment was expected.

Members of the First Vermont were taken by surprise and mistook the Rangers for federal soldiers, and Mosby admitted to being surprised himself: “I could not imagine why such a number of men should be put there, except for the purpose of getting caught.”

The Mosby’s Herndon Station Raid Reenactment will offer a day of living history activities for all ages at the original site where the raid took place. The reenactment will be narrated in detail and books on the Civil War will be available by vendors.

In addition to the reenactment and living history portrayals, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the historic Herndon Depot Museum between the end of the first raid up until 1 p.m.

The Herndon Depot was built in 1857 and inside visitors will find a number of displays on the history of Herndon and the area, as well as maritime memorabilia in honor of the town’s namesake, Capt. William Lewis Herndon.

The entire day of activities is free to attend, though the Herndon Historical Society will accept donations to aid in the group’s efforts to maintain and preserve the W&OD Depot Museum, the nearby red Caboose and Herndon’s history.

The event will be held rain, snow or shine and will only be canceled if required for safety reasons. For more event information, visit the Herndon Historical Society online at www.HerndonHistoricalSociety.org.

Mosby’s Herndon Station Raid Reenactment Event Schedule

10 a.m. – Civil War Living History Portrayals Open

11 a.m. – First Mosby’s Raid Reenactment

12-1 p.m. – Depot Museum Open for Tours

2 p.m. – Second Mosby’s Raid Reenactment

3 p.m. – Civil War Living History Portrayals Close

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