William Thomas Overby lived in Coweta County from 1839 to 1861. He entered Confederate service in May, 1861 and was hung by Federal forces in Front Royal, Virginia, on September 23, 1864.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp #715, each year celebrates his life and devotion to family and the Confederacy.
A proclamation was read recently by Newnan Mayor, Keith Brady, one from the Coweta County Commissioners, read by Chairman, Paul Poole, and one from Gov. Perdue, read by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh.
Speaker for the occasion was South Carolina Division Commander, Mark A. Simpson. He commented on the demeanor of Overby at the time of his death, as recorded by Union soldiers after the war. Overby had kept his chin high, refusing to reveal the hiding place of his commander, Col. John S. Moseby.
For his actions, Overby is one of only three Georgians to have been awarded the Confederate Medal of Honor.
