The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-03-09
Death of Col. Hurry EilmNr.

Death OF Col. Harry GilmOr.
Col Harry Gilmor, the gallant and brave con-
Tolerate cavalry leader, died at his residence
in Baltimore county, near the city limits, on
Sunday night, from cancerous affection in
the face, with which he had heen suffering
for several weeks. He was in the 4Gth year
of his age, and leaves three orphan children
for whose education an effort is being made,
to raise subscription of $4,000
Col Gilmor's sutierings for ten days pre-
ceding his death were of the most intense
character, but he bore them without a muir
muir, submitting to two painful surgical
operations, declining the use of opatcs.
Col. Gilmor was q son Of the late Robert
Gilmor, and was born at his fathers home
stead, Glen Ellen, in 1898. He entered the
Confederate army in 1861 and soon acquired
the reputation ola dashng, intrepid cavalry
leader. In july 1864, he led daring cav
airy raid into Maryland, crossing the entire
State. He went around Baltimore, came up
the Green Spring Valley, by rapid forced
marches, and before his intention was known
or suspected was near Bel Air While pass
ing along the Fork Meeting House road, in
Baltimore county, the command found that
Ishmael Day, hearing they were coming, had
put out large Union flag, which extended
over the road. Mr.. Day was ordered to take
it down, but refused and threatened to shoot
any one who attempted to remove it. Ser
geant Field, Major Gilmor's color-bearer, who
was in the advance, dismounted, and made
step towards the house for the purpose of
removing the flag, when Day fired at him
with a shot gun heavily loaded with buck
shot, fatally wounding him. The rest of the
command hurried up, search was made for
Day, but he had escaped. The Confederates
gave Days family five minutes in which to
leave the house, and burned it to the ground,
with all its contents. Day, meanwhile, had
slipped into his orchard and crawled under
cider-press, where he remained for several
days, supplied with food by his friends. Field
was taken to Wrights Tavern, now Adys,
on the Hartford turnpike, where he was ten
derby nursed by ladies in the vicinity until
he died.
From this point Major Gilmor
marched his command TO Magnolia,
where two passenger trains from
Baltimore were stopped. One of these was
fired and Major Gilmor himself backed the
blazing train upon the Gunpowder bridge, to
which it set fire, and burning its way
through fell into the river. A portion of the
command visited Gen. Cadwalader's Maxwelrs
Point farm, below Magnolia, and exchanged
their tired horses for some of the Generals
blooded stock. Gen. Franklin was captured
by Major Gilmor, at Magnolia, but escaped
before the command left Maryland.
Major Gilmor's command contained n
number of young men from Hartford, many Of
whom took advantage of the opportunity to
visit their friends. One or two of his soldiers
rode into Bel Air their sabres clanking and
accoutrements rafting. Their appearance
created the widest excitement. They were
warmly welcomed by the Southern sympa-
thizers, while most of the Union men mount
ed their horses and rode over to Pennsylva-
mia. These were the only uniformed Confed-
crates seen in Bel Air during the war.
From Magnolia Major Gilmor marched
without stopping to Towsontown, having a
sharp skirmsh with a company of Federal
cavalry, on the York road. They rested for
few hours on the Craddock farm, and by
that time the whole country was aroused, but
they succeeded in recrossing the Potomac
into Virginia. with the loss of only one man,
Field.
A week or two later Major Gilmor burned
Chambersburg, Pa, under instructions from
Gen. McCausland.
After the war Col Gilmor returned to Bal
timore and was elected police commission
er in 1878. During the labor riots of 1877 his
GOODNESS and bravery contributed much to-
wards protecting property and life from the
mob.
Col. Gilmor died sincere, rcpentant
Christian. Whilst he was dying, one of the
watchers heard him say, "Dear Lord, receive
my soul"
The Baltimore Sun say of Col. Gilmor's
funeral, which took place on Wednesday
The body of Col. Harry Gilmor was yesterday
inferred in Loudon Park Cemetery with military
honors, being accompanied to the grave by a
large procession, composed of Confederate So
cleties, Federal officers and soldiers, white and
colored military commands, State and city au-
thorities and battalions of police. Persons
who opposed him in line Of battle twenty years
ago We'd with those who then stood by his side
in doing honor to a man the record of whose
chivalrous deeds is a legacy of honor to his
State. Regard for him was limited to no sort
or condition of men The fund which it is pro-
posed to raise for the benefit of his children will
be an appropriate recognition of his services to
the city.