"Alias Paine"

[BettyO]

Gilmor was Harry S. Gilmor, commander of a Maryland regiment of cavalry, comprised of the 1st and 2nd Maryland Cavalry. When Powell escaped from captivity after the battle of Gettysburg, he went South hoping to rejoin his 2nd Florida Infantry unit, but fell in with Gilmor's Raiders. Powell declared that they were a "rough class of men" whose antics did not please him and after the unit attacked, beat up and stole goods from a group of innocent Jewish peddlers, Powell deserted. He continued on his way to rejoin the 2nd Florida, somehow connected with Colonel John S. Mosby and joined his unit. Powell was proud of his affiliation with Mosby.

I don't know why Powell wanted to enlist at 17. I would assume that it was just the thing for young boys to do at that time. Probably he also felt that it would be a good, worldly experience for him.