Born in Campbell County, TN, David Dossett moved to Anderson County, TN, with his family when he was about fifteen years old. There he became a special messenger for the Union Army. He later became captain of the 9th Tennessee Cavalry which he had formed. With its ranks thinned in battle, the unit was merged into the 11th Tennessee Cavalry. Dossett continued with the unit until September 1865.
In 1873, Dossett moved his family to Stanford, IL, where he spent the balance of his life. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian, a member of the local GAR and a member of two fraternal orders. He died in 1926.
This collection includes primarily military materials related to the U.S. Civil War such as correspondence and orders, stores inventories for the 11th Tennessee Cavalry, blank forms, retiree lists, pension and muster in/out records, plus an obituary and other remembrances.