The J.M. Dotson is James M. Dotson. His brothers (1st Lt. George W. & 2nd Lt. John W.) were in the same unit. George captured in Dickson co. & John captured during skirmish in Waverly,Humphreys County. My 3rd G-Grandfather (John Dempsey Dotson) was their 2nd cousin.
He was captured by members of the 12th Tenn. cavalry USA under Lt. Donnehue near Charlotte,Dickson County and shot as a guerrilla in retaliation for the murder of a local Unionist. Demps' father-in-law William D. Willey was previously captured by the same and shot as a guerrilla(1864)
NASHVILLE DISPATCH(newspaper) July 23,1863
"NEWS and RUMORS at CLARKSVILLE"
(reprinted from the July 18th edition of the "Clarksville Buletin")
A scout consisting of the 28th mounted infantry and the 8th Kentucky cavalry, in command of Captains Whipp and Benson, returned from across the Cumberland yesterday afternoon. They scoured the country on Yellow Creek about Charlotte. They were fired upon four different times, and many exciting chases occurred. Henson’s command of guerrillas is moving at large, and were chased twice by Capt. Whipp. Two companies of the 4th Tennessee Rebel cavalry, of Forrest’s command, more on Yellow Creek and about Charlotte collecting forage. Several guns and four prisoners were captured. The prisoners were Lieut J. M. Dodson, W. J. Nesbet and L.S. Nichols, of the 10th Tennessee Rebel cavarly, and W. H. Hunt, formerly a rebel soldier who belonged to Woodward’s regiment. He took the oath of allegiance and gave bond, in the Provost office in Clarksville, last March. He is charged with violating his oath and bond, by waging a guerrilla warfare and being connected with a band of horse thieves. He stole a horse from Doctor Johnson, of Christina country, a few days ago. He is also accused of making threats against Union men. He will be tried by the Military Commission.
G. W. Doulin, a member of Woodward’s command, came into Clarksville on Tuesday [14th]. He was dressed in citizens’ clothes, and represented himself as a citizen. He applied at the Provost Marshal’s office for permission to visit Hall in prison in prison, who was captured by Boones’ scouts, and who is an Orderly Sergeant in Woodward’s command. Being refused permission to visit the jail, th then pledged his worth that Hall was no Confederate soldier, but a good and peaceable citizen. He vouched for his character, wanted to on his bond for his good behavior, or be responsible for his appearance on trial, if he were only released from prison. He labored earnestly in the cause, but without effect. He was suspicioned by the Provost Marshal as not being what he represented himself to be. Shortly afterward, he was recognized on the street by Lieut. Sharp, as a prisoner that had twice escaped from him. He was immediately arrested, when it was ascertained that he was a Confederate soldier of Woodward’s band. Being found within our lines in citizen’s dress, and representing himself to be a loyal citizen, makes him appear in the character of a spy, and for this offence he will be tried before the commission.
We learn that Jack Henson had a public sale, near Cumberland City, on Wednesday last [15th]. The sale consisted of stolen good and broken down horses. Several country stores, in the last ten days, have been sacked by Benson, or men connected with his command. The pillage has been indiscriminate: no opinions or rights were respected -- the mind appeared to be solely bent on plunder. On Wednesday [15th], the band was collected at Cumberland City, and the spoils of the plunderers were offered for sale. We do not know whether many bidders were found for the stolen property, or not, but presume there were, as the citizens of the neighborhood of Cumberland City are of such a lawless character, that they would glory in ;upholding and maintaining the rights of a guerrilla band. And they would eagerly receive the spoils plundered from citizens, who would oppose an opinion of theirs, or raise a voice in favor of law and order and justice. Without doubt, many of the citizens of that neighborhood are connected directly or indirectly with these thieving guerrilla bands.
Source: Tennessee Civil War Sourcebook
http://203.civilwarsourcebook.com/collection.pdf/1863-07/1863-07-Article-179-Page253.pdf
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Additional data from service records
Company "E" (DeMoss')10th Tenn. Cavalry C.S.A.
Three men Captured on July 16th,1863
Yellow Creek (Dickson County,Tenn.)
J.M. Dodson (2nd Lieut. James W. Dotson)
Sent to Johnson's Island,Ohio
W.J. Nesbet (2nd Sergeant W.J.A. Nesbitt)
P.O.W. at Clarksville,Tenn.
L.S. Nichols(Private Leven S. Nicholls)
Sent to Camp Chase, Ohio
Age:21 years
Residence: Dickson County
Remarks: served about 10 months when he deserted at Cowan's Station; went through the mountains and reached home and there was captured by Col. Bruce's forces 28th Kentucky Cavalry