page_title: Jessie Scouts
section_title: William J. Lawton
hierarchical_section_title: Jessie Scouts / William J. Lawton
caption_attribution_description: English: Title: Untitled Physical description: 1 negative&#160;:
context_page_description: The Jessie Scouts were irregular soldiers during the American Civil War on the side of the Union who frequently operated in the territory of the Confederate States of America.
  The unit was created by John C. Frémont and named in honor of his wife, rather than of a Colonel Jessie, who was himself a myth. The initial Jessie Scout unit was formed in St. Louis, Missouri early in the war as the plan to develop independent scouts was implemented. The first man to command the scouts was Charles C. Carpenter. During insurgency missions the Jessie Scouts wore Confederate uniforms with a white handkerchief over their shoulders to signify their allegiance to friendly troops, and numbered around 58 for much of the war. They were commanded by Major Henry Young from November 1864 until the end of the war. In February 1865 they captured Harry Gilmor and killed Guerilla leader Captain George W Stump
context_section_description: William J. Lawton  was from Michigan; he was a scout for Julius Stahel in Virginia and George Thomas in Northwest Georgia/Southeast Tenn
  On March 31, 1864 while leading a patrol of the 4th Michigan Cavalry he was shot and killed in Walker County, Georgia
caption: Captain William J Lawton
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