He Led the Famous ‘Jessie Scouts’ Who Captured CSA Colonel Gilmor

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018

Partly-printed Document Signed "Wm Sprague" as Governor of Rhode Island, 1p. oblong folio, vellum, July 22, 1861, and reads in part: "...by virtue of the powers in me vested, I, WILLIAM SPRAGUE,...reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Henry H. Young who has been duly appointed to the office of First Lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers..." Fine. With copy of article on Major Young from the Civil War Times in 1964.On February 4th, 1865, Colonel Harry Gilmor, the celebrated Confederate cavalry officer, was taken prisoner by Major Henry Young, of General Sheridan's staff. Colonel Gilmor was sleeping with his cousin, also in the Confederate service, in the bedroom of a farm-house, when the door was burst open and Major Young dashed in, seized the weapons of the two officers, and, presenting his own, informed them that they were prisoners. As about one hundred cavalrymen surrounded the house at the time, escape was impossible, and Col. Gilmor was soon on his way North in charge of Major Young. When they reached Harper's Ferry an attempt was made to mob the prisoner, and they would doubtless have been successful had not his captors protected him with a cocked pistol in each hand.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).