"Ashby's Right-Hand Man"

[Stierhistory]

I would like to proudly present my original wardate carte de visite of Confederate Captain George Frederick Sheetz of Company F (Hampshire Riflemen), Seventh Virginia Cavalry Regiment. A rugged (West) Virginia mountaineer in the truest sense of the word, Captain Sheetz gallantly served under the immortal Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson and the "Black Knight of the Shenandoah Valley" himself, Brigadier General Turner Ashby, during the War Between the States. "First in the charge and last in the retreat," Captain Sheetz alternatively wielded his sabre and revolver with lethal precision until his untimely fall at the May 23, 1862 Battle of Buckton Station in Warren County, Virginia.

Image courtesy of the William J. Stier Collection.

 

[lupaglupa]

Great photo!

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

That's one hard lookin' mamma-jamma

 

[RedRover]

Buckton Station was a painful action for Ashby's cavalry. Besides the loss of the gallant Sheetz, Captain John T. Fletcher of Company A (Ashby's original "Mountain Rangers") was killed. He was an 1859 graduate of VMI. His brothehr Clinton was also killed at Buckton.

 

[Stierhistory]

I also own an original wardate (January 22, 1862) requisition form for stationary which Captain G. F. Sheetz signed twice on the lower front --

 

[lelliott19]

Fantastic image Bill! And a great grouping with the original requisition for stationery. Thank you for sharing it!

 

[Stierhistory]

Great photo!

Thank you very much! I certainly appreciate it.

 

[Stierhistory]

Fantastic image Bill! And a great grouping with the original requisition for stationery. Thank you for sharing it!

Thank you very much for your kind remarks! I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Lubliner]

"Please bring me more stationary sheets. I am down to my last one."
Captain Sheetz.

Hoping you have a funny bone, and welcome from the Railroads and Steam Locomotives Forum.
Lubliner.

 

[RedRover]

Chaplain Avirett of Ashby's Cavalry wrote a brief biography of Capt. Sheetz in his history of "Ashby and his Compeers" (1867), noting of his death and burial:

 

[GMSorrel]

@Stierhistory sent you a message and email.