Gus W. Dorsey

Gustavus Warfield Dorsey (April 20, 1839 – September 6, 1911) was a Confederate cavalry commander during the American Civil War. When famed cavalry commander J. E. B. Stuart was shot at the Battle of Yellow Tavern and mortally wounded, he fell into Dorsey's arms.

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
Branch	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 Fredericksburg Yellow Tavern Fisher's Hill

Early years

G. W. Dorsey was born to Samuel Owings Dorsey and Mary Riggs Griffith on April 20, 1839, a descendant of Edward Dorsey of colonial Maryland. He had three sisters and a brother. He married Maggie Owens.

Civil War

He enlisted on May 14, 1861 for Company K of the 1st Virginia Cavalry.^[1] He became a lieutenant colonel in May 1862, and after the death of his unit's commander Ridgely Brown, he commanded the regiment.^[1][2] He was wounded at Fredericksburg.^[1]

His unit was later transferred to 1st Maryland Cavalry in August, 1864.^[3][4] He was severely wounded at Fisher's Hill.^[5]

Yellow Tavern

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]