I have a note sitting on my desk. It has quotes about why stepping out of my comfort zone is good. This is one of those days when I read it more and more and push myself to complete the blog pages. Today’s pages are so hard because they all deal with Veterans. One is a story that was ended too soon. One story told of bravery and service only to deal with a sacrifice years later. And one story seems incomplete. And I find myself struggling through these stories of men who rose to answer a nation’s call. When I scheduled these posts a year ago, I thought it would be a great topic. And yes, I could just change what I have planned, but I want to bring these stories to you. So, I will take a break and then return to trying to do honor to these individuals I salute today.
Please take the time today to thank the Veterans in your life or who you may see. Their duty and service to our nation make our freedoms possible. Thank you to all the Veterans in my life. May you have a day full of happiness and good health.
I wish I could bring you a photo of William Dorsett, but alas, I do not have one. What do have is information so lets get to writing.
Family records indicate that very little is known about William A Dorsett or his wife, Ollie F Brewer, until they married. They married in Georgia and moved to Texas. It is rumored that he was the black-sheep son of a plantation owner, but for some reason, they moved to Texas. One rumor is that Ollie’s family did not like Williams or that his own family had disowned him. They moved to Texas with two personal slaves from Ollie’s family. Ollie also brought trunks full of lovely clothes and jewelry. Later, she made many dresses into a millinery, which she sold.
William and Ollie had three children. James L, Ida Augusta and our ancestor Ada English. Ollie died when Ada was six months old. Later, William married Emma Pismire and that union produced three children, Pat H, Edward and Laura.
William was always a blacksmith, first in Chappell Hill and also after moving to Dime Box. He was also a Justice of the Peace and a postmaster. At one time, he was also a Methodist Circut Rider. When he decided this was not for him, he quit preaching and returned to being a blacksmith. He told his grandchildren he’d quit preaching because he was whipping the devil around a stump.
One of william’s favorite was stories was aout his height. He loved to tell the he’d never been measured except when the Yankees had captured him during the war and he’d measured 6′ 7″. His sons were all tall, large men of the same build but none were as tall as he. William always always words a stetson hat that was uncreased and he could not walk through a doorway without stooping.
William was a man with light brown hair and blue eyes with fair skin. He always wore a mustache and goatee. It is reported that Ollie had dark curly hair and brown eyes. She was probably 5’7″.
During the Civil War William was part of the 24th Regiment of the Texas Calvary. He was a Private and his job was a farrier. He took care of the horses seeing they were shod and their feet well cared for. The 24th Cavalry Regiment [also called 2nd Texas Lancers] was organized during the late spring of 1862.
Here’s some information about the 24th. There are links to the National Parks Service website detailing each battle. The 24th was soon sent to Arkansas. Here, the regiment was captured in January 1863. After being exchanged, it was consolidated with the 17th, 18th, and 25th Texas Cavalry Regiments and assigned to Deshler’s, J.A. Smith’s, and Granbury’s Brigade. This command fought with the Army of Tennessee from Chickamauga to Atlanta, endured Hood’s winter operations in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. The 24th was organized with about 900 men, and 54 casualties were reported among the 587 engaged at Arkansas Post. The 17th/18th/24th/25th reported 200 disabled at Chickamauga, totaling 690 men and 520 arms in December 1863. The 24th surrendered on April 26, 1865.
While I don’t have a photo, I hope I’ve given you a good description of William A Dorsett. May we always remember him and his service to the 24th Texas Calvary.
