Caleb W. Dorsey

Caleb W. Dorsey (September 7, 1833 – April 21, 1896) during the American Civil War served in the Missouri State Guard and Army of the Confederate States of America. He should not be confused with the legislator Caleb Dorsey, a cousin, who also lived in the same region of California.[2]

For the legislator Caleb Dorsey, a cousin, who also lived in the same region of California., see Caleb Dorsey.
Caleb W Dorsey
Carte De Visite
Brown & Scholten, St Louis, Missouri
Born(1833-09-07)September 7, 1833
Baltimore County, Maryland
DiedApril 21, 1896(1896-04-21) (aged 62)
Tuolumne County, California
Buried
Stockton Rural Cemetery[1]
Stockton, California
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branchMissouri State Guard
 Confederate States Army
Years of service1861-1864
Rank Colonel
UnitSlayback`s Missouri Cavalry Regiment
Commands held4th Cavalry Regiment (MSG)
Dorsey`s Missouri Cavalry Battalion
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Dorsey was a resident of Pike County, Missouri and served as Sergeant Co. D, 2nd United States Cavalry from 1855-1861.[3]

Civil War Service

During the Civil War he served as Major in the 4th Cavalry Regiment of the Second Division of the Missouri State Guard.[3] Given authority to recruit a regiment for the Missouri State Guard, he served as colonel of his own provisional unit. This regiment was nearly destroyed at the Battle of Mount Zion Church in Dec. 1861.[3] Dorsey was captured Feb. 15, 1862[3][4]

Dorsey commanded a cavalry squadron in Confederate service in November 1862 in Arkansas, and after several engagements it disbanded sometime in 1863.[3] Dorsey was in command of his "Missouri Squadron" at the battle of Fayetteville, Arkansas, on April 18, 1863.[5] Dorsey was recruiting again in Northeast Missouri in advance of Sterling Price's Raid into Missouri in 1864. He was unable to join the raiders and eventually made his way to Arkansas with a much reduced command. These were merged into Slayback's battalion to form a regiment with Dorsey serving as Lt. Col.[3]

Post-war and Death

Dorsey owned a mine with his partner J.T. Newcomer known as Snell Mine near Columbia in Tuolumne County, California and was shot to death there by his mining partner in April 1896.[2]

References
  1. "Col Caleb Dorsey". Find A Grave. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  2. Kirby Ross, MOCWB post, "The two Caleb Dorseys"
  3. Peterson, Richard C.; James E. McGhee; Kip A. Lindberg; Keith I. Daleen (2007). Sterling Price's Lieutenants: A Guide to the Officers and Organization of the Missouri State Guard, 1861-1865. Two Trails Pub. p. 149. ISBN 9781929311262.
  4. Jim McGhee MOCWB posting, "Re: Col.Caleb Dorsey"
  5. Mahan, Russell, The Battle of Fayetteville Arkansas: April 18, 1863; Historical Enterprises, Santa Clara, Utah, 2019.
  • Dorsey, Caleb W National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Missouri.

Notes
  • Petersen Richard C., McGhee, James E., Lindberg, Kip A., and Daleen, Keith A., Sterling Price's Lieutenants, Revised Expanded Edition, Two Trails Publishing, 2007
  • McGhee, James E., Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, 1861-1865, University of Arkansas Press, 2008
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