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a brigade of cavalry upon his extreme left, and at the same time attacked along
the whole line. General Stuart hastened to the point where was the greatest
danger. The charge of the enemy was irresistible, and two guns of the Baltimore
Light Artillery were captured, along with Captain Griffin and several of his men,
but not until he had inflicted fearful destruction in the ranks of the Michigan
cavalry. Captain Dorsey, with Company K, was stationed on the Telegraph
road, where eighty or ninety men were assembled. Among these General Stuart
threw himself, and as the enemy passed in their headlong" charge they received
their fire in flank and rear. But the First Virginia was in their path, all save
Company K, as has been stated. The enemy was driven back some distance. As
they retired a dismounted cavalryman, running to escape, discharged his revolver
at the General, and inflicted the fatal wound. Captain Dorsey had witnessed the
act, and immediately rushed to his assistance. Captain Dorsey took him from
his horse and placed him against a tree. General Stuart then expressed the
belief that he was mortally wounded and could be of no further use, and then
ordered Dorsey to go back to his command. But this Dorsey declined to do,
until he saw him safely off the field. Calling
to Private Wheatly, they placed
him upon a horse and led it to a place of safety, when an ambulance was procured,
and supported in the arms of Wheatly the ambulance was driven off. The death
of Stuart a few hours later (May 12, 1864.) was a severe blow to the Confed-
eracy. He was one of the greatest cavalry generals the world ever saw, and one
of the most beloved of men. His soldiers worshiped him, and the public loved
and honored him.
A few weeks after the death of General Stuart Company K was transferred
to the First Maryland Cavalry, when Captain Dorsey was made Lieutenant-
Colonel of the battalion, and how the gallant soldier acquitted himself the reader
has seen in reading the sketch of the First Maryland Cavalry.
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