Gus W. Dorsey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1839-04-20)April 20, 1839 Columbia, Maryland |
| Died | September 6, 1911(1911-09-06) (aged 72) Brookeville, Maryland |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Company K,1st Virginia Cavalry 1st Maryland Cavalry |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
Gustavus Warfield Dorsey (April 20, 1839 – September 6, 1911) was aConfederate cavalry commander during theAmerican Civil War. When famed cavalry commanderJ. E. B. Stuart was shot at theBattle of Yellow Tavern and mortally wounded, he fell into Dorsey's arms.
G. W. Dorsey was born to Samuel Owings Dorsey and Mary Riggs Griffith on April 20, 1839, a descendant ofEdward Dorsey ofcolonial Maryland. He had three sisters and a brother. He married Maggie Owens.
He enlisted on May 14, 1861 for Company K of the1st Virginia Cavalry.[1] He became alieutenant colonel in May 1862, and after the death of his unit's commander Ridgely Brown, he commanded the regiment.[1][2] He was wounded atFredericksburg.[1]
His unit was later transferred to 1st Maryland Cavalry in August, 1864.[3][4] He was severely wounded atFisher's Hill.[5]
Stuart rode up to give words of praise to Company K and was shot in the stomach.[6] Dorsey caught him and took him from his horse. Stuart told him: "Dorsey...save your men." Dorsey refused to leave him and brought Stuart to the rear.[7][8][9]