He entered the Confederate service in 1863. Early in 1864, he was wounded in action. Receiving a gunshot to the thigh while opposing a cavalry raid on Richmond, he was in a Richmond hospital until November. He elected to enter VMI and was in the Richmond trenches as a Cadet until they disbanded 2 April 1865. After the war he attended the University of Virginia and went on to be a stockbroker.
[Above original info by Keeping Time (#46889050).]
------------------------------------------------------------
(2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense), Local Defense Troops Brigade, Dept. of Richmond, C.S.A.
Enlisted for 6 months service on 6/28/1863 in Richmond, he was mustered into (1st) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense) Volunteers as a Private.
Wounded In Action (severely in leg) outside of Richmond on 3/2/1864 opposing Ulric Dahlgren's U.S. Cavalry raid.
Returned to duty 7/27/1864 and mustered into (2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense).
Admitted 10/2/1864 into General Hospital #9, Richmond (reason not listed); transferred 11/9/1864 into Robertson Hospital, Richmond.
Commended 11/21/1864 by his Commanding Officer for his actions in Dahlgren fight.
Nominated 12/1/1864 for Cadet (from Louisiana) at Virginia Military Institute; accepted into Class of 1868; Corps of Cadets from V.M.I. were then in Richmond trenches until it disbanded on Apr. 2, 1865.
Attended U. of Virginia 1865-66 (and possibly 1866-67).
------------------------------------------------------------
-Distressing Suicide of a Young Man in an Insane Asylum.-
Gray Doswell, twenty-eight years of age, a patient in the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, at Spring Grove, near Catonsville, Baltimore County, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor belonging to another person on Sunday morning last.
Mr. Doswell was from Virginia. He had been placed in the hospital some months ago, and was under surveillance because of two previous attempts at suicide. His insane cunning, however, triumphed at last, at a moment when the supervisor's back was turned.
His insanity exhibited itself in a morbid sense or fear that he was despised by those who bad formerly respected him. On this account he desired to die and was watchful of every
moment to put his intention into an act.
In September he exhibited signs of improvement, but when allowed to walk alone in the grove hanged himself to a tree. He was discovered in time to be rescued. Subsequently, an affecting interview with relatives made his case worse.
His room was on the first flat. Rooms opened on a long, wide hall from both sides, and Mr. Doswell's room was the second
from the passage, and like the others was carpeted, and contained a bed, chairs, book-stand, toilet table, &c. Next to him was a patient who would not be shaved by any one, but who could be trusted with a razor to shave himself, just as a sane man. Mr Clements, the supervisor, occupied the room on the other side of the passage. Doswell's door had no knob on the inside, as a precaution against hanging. The sight of a razor or any other edged instrument, a knife or anything else would intensify his desire to commit suicide so that such things were studiously kept away from him.
The patient who was allowed the razor was the only one in the institution given that privilege, and he was required to give it back to the supervisor as soon as he had done with it. This he did on Sunday morning previous to attending service in the chapel. The supervisor placed it in the drawer of his bureau, and went across the passage to the washroom where he was called. In his absence of only a few seconds, Mr. Doswell, who had been watching his movements, darted into the room and secured the razor. A guard saw him some yards off and hurried to the rescue, but too late. In an instant the unfortunate young man swept the blade across his throat from ear to ear, severing the main artery and causing death in a few minutes.
The body was laid in the chapel until Tuesday when it was taken away by relatives, living in Baltimore. Dr R.S. Stewart, managing director of the hospital, did not deem an inquest necessary, having taken legal advice in the matter. The regulations of the institution are very strict, and the most careful watchfulness is observed. The Baltimore Sun, December 17, 1874.
[Above original info by Keeping Time (#46889050).]
------------------------------------------------------------
(2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense), Local Defense Troops Brigade, Dept. of Richmond, C.S.A.
Enlisted for 6 months service on 6/28/1863 in Richmond, he was mustered into (1st) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense) Volunteers as a Private.
Wounded In Action (severely in leg) outside of Richmond on 3/2/1864 opposing Ulric Dahlgren's U.S. Cavalry raid.
Returned to duty 7/27/1864 and mustered into (2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense).
Admitted 10/2/1864 into General Hospital #9, Richmond (reason not listed); transferred 11/9/1864 into Robertson Hospital, Richmond.
Commended 11/21/1864 by his Commanding Officer for his actions in Dahlgren fight.
Nominated 12/1/1864 for Cadet (from Louisiana) at Virginia Military Institute; accepted into Class of 1868; Corps of Cadets from V.M.I. were then in Richmond trenches until it disbanded on Apr. 2, 1865.
Attended U. of Virginia 1865-66 (and possibly 1866-67).
------------------------------------------------------------
-Distressing Suicide of a Young Man in an Insane Asylum.-
Gray Doswell, twenty-eight years of age, a patient in the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, at Spring Grove, near Catonsville, Baltimore County, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor belonging to another person on Sunday morning last.
Mr. Doswell was from Virginia. He had been placed in the hospital some months ago, and was under surveillance because of two previous attempts at suicide. His insane cunning, however, triumphed at last, at a moment when the supervisor's back was turned.
His insanity exhibited itself in a morbid sense or fear that he was despised by those who bad formerly respected him. On this account he desired to die and was watchful of every
moment to put his intention into an act.
In September he exhibited signs of improvement, but when allowed to walk alone in the grove hanged himself to a tree. He was discovered in time to be rescued. Subsequently, an affecting interview with relatives made his case worse.
His room was on the first flat. Rooms opened on a long, wide hall from both sides, and Mr. Doswell's room was the second
from the passage, and like the others was carpeted, and contained a bed, chairs, book-stand, toilet table, &c. Next to him was a patient who would not be shaved by any one, but who could be trusted with a razor to shave himself, just as a sane man. Mr Clements, the supervisor, occupied the room on the other side of the passage. Doswell's door had no knob on the inside, as a precaution against hanging. The sight of a razor or any other edged instrument, a knife or anything else would intensify his desire to commit suicide so that such things were studiously kept away from him.
The patient who was allowed the razor was the only one in the institution given that privilege, and he was required to give it back to the supervisor as soon as he had done with it. This he did on Sunday morning previous to attending service in the chapel. The supervisor placed it in the drawer of his bureau, and went across the passage to the washroom where he was called. In his absence of only a few seconds, Mr. Doswell, who had been watching his movements, darted into the room and secured the razor. A guard saw him some yards off and hurried to the rescue, but too late. In an instant the unfortunate young man swept the blade across his throat from ear to ear, severing the main artery and causing death in a few minutes.
The body was laid in the chapel until Tuesday when it was taken away by relatives, living in Baltimore. Dr R.S. Stewart, managing director of the hospital, did not deem an inquest necessary, having taken legal advice in the matter. The regulations of the institution are very strict, and the most careful watchfulness is observed. The Baltimore Sun, December 17, 1874.
He entered the Confederate service in 1863. Early in 1864, he was wounded in action. Receiving a gunshot to the thigh while opposing a cavalry raid on Richmond, he was in a Richmond hospital until November. He elected to enter VMI and was in the Richmond trenches as a Cadet until they disbanded 2 April 1865. After the war he attended the University of Virginia and went on to be a stockbroker.
[Above original info by Keeping Time (#46889050).]
------------------------------------------------------------
(2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense), Local Defense Troops Brigade, Dept. of Richmond, C.S.A.
Enlisted for 6 months service on 6/28/1863 in Richmond, he was mustered into (1st) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense) Volunteers as a Private.
Wounded In Action (severely in leg) outside of Richmond on 3/2/1864 opposing Ulric Dahlgren's U.S. Cavalry raid.
Returned to duty 7/27/1864 and mustered into (2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense).
Admitted 10/2/1864 into General Hospital #9, Richmond (reason not listed); transferred 11/9/1864 into Robertson Hospital, Richmond.
Commended 11/21/1864 by his Commanding Officer for his actions in Dahlgren fight.
Nominated 12/1/1864 for Cadet (from Louisiana) at Virginia Military Institute; accepted into Class of 1868; Corps of Cadets from V.M.I. were then in Richmond trenches until it disbanded on Apr. 2, 1865.
Attended U. of Virginia 1865-66 (and possibly 1866-67).
------------------------------------------------------------
-Distressing Suicide of a Young Man in an Insane Asylum.-
Gray Doswell, twenty-eight years of age, a patient in the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, at Spring Grove, near Catonsville, Baltimore County, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor belonging to another person on Sunday morning last.
Mr. Doswell was from Virginia. He had been placed in the hospital some months ago, and was under surveillance because of two previous attempts at suicide. His insane cunning, however, triumphed at last, at a moment when the supervisor's back was turned.
His insanity exhibited itself in a morbid sense or fear that he was despised by those who bad formerly respected him. On this account he desired to die and was watchful of every
moment to put his intention into an act.
In September he exhibited signs of improvement, but when allowed to walk alone in the grove hanged himself to a tree. He was discovered in time to be rescued. Subsequently, an affecting interview with relatives made his case worse.
His room was on the first flat. Rooms opened on a long, wide hall from both sides, and Mr. Doswell's room was the second
from the passage, and like the others was carpeted, and contained a bed, chairs, book-stand, toilet table, &c. Next to him was a patient who would not be shaved by any one, but who could be trusted with a razor to shave himself, just as a sane man. Mr Clements, the supervisor, occupied the room on the other side of the passage. Doswell's door had no knob on the inside, as a precaution against hanging. The sight of a razor or any other edged instrument, a knife or anything else would intensify his desire to commit suicide so that such things were studiously kept away from him.
The patient who was allowed the razor was the only one in the institution given that privilege, and he was required to give it back to the supervisor as soon as he had done with it. This he did on Sunday morning previous to attending service in the chapel. The supervisor placed it in the drawer of his bureau, and went across the passage to the washroom where he was called. In his absence of only a few seconds, Mr. Doswell, who had been watching his movements, darted into the room and secured the razor. A guard saw him some yards off and hurried to the rescue, but too late. In an instant the unfortunate young man swept the blade across his throat from ear to ear, severing the main artery and causing death in a few minutes.
The body was laid in the chapel until Tuesday when it was taken away by relatives, living in Baltimore. Dr R.S. Stewart, managing director of the hospital, did not deem an inquest necessary, having taken legal advice in the matter. The regulations of the institution are very strict, and the most careful watchfulness is observed. The Baltimore Sun, December 17, 1874.
[Above original info by Keeping Time (#46889050).]
------------------------------------------------------------
(2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense), Local Defense Troops Brigade, Dept. of Richmond, C.S.A.
Enlisted for 6 months service on 6/28/1863 in Richmond, he was mustered into (1st) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense) Volunteers as a Private.
Wounded In Action (severely in leg) outside of Richmond on 3/2/1864 opposing Ulric Dahlgren's U.S. Cavalry raid.
Returned to duty 7/27/1864 and mustered into (2nd) Company G, 3rd Battalion Virginia (Local Defense).
Admitted 10/2/1864 into General Hospital #9, Richmond (reason not listed); transferred 11/9/1864 into Robertson Hospital, Richmond.
Commended 11/21/1864 by his Commanding Officer for his actions in Dahlgren fight.
Nominated 12/1/1864 for Cadet (from Louisiana) at Virginia Military Institute; accepted into Class of 1868; Corps of Cadets from V.M.I. were then in Richmond trenches until it disbanded on Apr. 2, 1865.
Attended U. of Virginia 1865-66 (and possibly 1866-67).
------------------------------------------------------------
-Distressing Suicide of a Young Man in an Insane Asylum.-
Gray Doswell, twenty-eight years of age, a patient in the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, at Spring Grove, near Catonsville, Baltimore County, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor belonging to another person on Sunday morning last.
Mr. Doswell was from Virginia. He had been placed in the hospital some months ago, and was under surveillance because of two previous attempts at suicide. His insane cunning, however, triumphed at last, at a moment when the supervisor's back was turned.
His insanity exhibited itself in a morbid sense or fear that he was despised by those who bad formerly respected him. On this account he desired to die and was watchful of every
moment to put his intention into an act.
In September he exhibited signs of improvement, but when allowed to walk alone in the grove hanged himself to a tree. He was discovered in time to be rescued. Subsequently, an affecting interview with relatives made his case worse.
His room was on the first flat. Rooms opened on a long, wide hall from both sides, and Mr. Doswell's room was the second
from the passage, and like the others was carpeted, and contained a bed, chairs, book-stand, toilet table, &c. Next to him was a patient who would not be shaved by any one, but who could be trusted with a razor to shave himself, just as a sane man. Mr Clements, the supervisor, occupied the room on the other side of the passage. Doswell's door had no knob on the inside, as a precaution against hanging. The sight of a razor or any other edged instrument, a knife or anything else would intensify his desire to commit suicide so that such things were studiously kept away from him.
The patient who was allowed the razor was the only one in the institution given that privilege, and he was required to give it back to the supervisor as soon as he had done with it. This he did on Sunday morning previous to attending service in the chapel. The supervisor placed it in the drawer of his bureau, and went across the passage to the washroom where he was called. In his absence of only a few seconds, Mr. Doswell, who had been watching his movements, darted into the room and secured the razor. A guard saw him some yards off and hurried to the rescue, but too late. In an instant the unfortunate young man swept the blade across his throat from ear to ear, severing the main artery and causing death in a few minutes.
The body was laid in the chapel until Tuesday when it was taken away by relatives, living in Baltimore. Dr R.S. Stewart, managing director of the hospital, did not deem an inquest necessary, having taken legal advice in the matter. The regulations of the institution are very strict, and the most careful watchfulness is observed. The Baltimore Sun, December 17, 1874.
Bio by: BigFrench
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