Charles C. Dodge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Dodge
Brig. Gen. Charles C. Dodge
Born	(1841-09-16)September 16, 1841 Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	November 4, 1910(1910-11-04) (aged 69) New York City, U.S.
Place of burial	Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City, U.S.
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Service/branch	United States Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1861–1863
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	1st New York Mounted Rifle Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Other work	Businessman

Charles Cleveland Dodge (September 16, 1841 – November 4, 1910) was a brigadier general in the American Civil War and one of the youngest in history, receiving his commission at the age of twenty-one. He was the son of "Merchant Prince" and Congressman William Earle Dodge.

American Civil War service

Recruiting poster for the 1st Battalion New York Mounted Rifles

Dodge was commissioned as a captain in the 1st New York Mounted Rifles, also known as 7th New York Volunteer Cavalry in December 1861, and was soon promoted to major. He commanded this cavalry detachment during Maj. Gen. John E. Wool's Norfolk expedition, Prior to this Major Dodge and the Mounted Rifles participated in the clash of ironclads, firing from shore at the CSS Virginia during said Naval engagement.

After the successful seizure, of Norfolk & Gosport Naval Yard, Major Dodge was dispatched to Suffolk on May 12, 1862. This move was to choke off Rebel port and secure roads around the Dismal Swamp. This cut off supplies coming up from Carolina Sounds. Suffolk had been abandoned by rebel forces who withdrew to the Blackwater River. Major Dodge held Suffolk until General Peck was placed in charge and turned Suffolk into a fortress city with 15 miles of defensive works.

Dodge was promoted to the rank of colonel on August 14, 1862, and then to brigadier general on November 29, 1862, an advancement that was lobbied for by a number of prominent New Yorkers, including Theodore Roosevelt Sr. He commanded successful engagements during the Suffolk Campaign and at Hertford, North Carolina. The mounted Rifles under Dodge served as the eyes and ears for General Peck in numerous sorties. Cavalry men under Dodge were the first to detect the movement of Longstreet that led to the siege of Suffolk by Rebel Forces.

He had performed commendably, but there was obviously difficulties between Dodge and his superior Major General John J. Peck, and his Corps commander Major General John A. Dix, who expressed preference for an older officer to lead the cavalry division.

There were no other cavalry officers available with an earlier date of rank, and Dodge refused to be subordinated to someone who was junior to him in seniority. He resigned in June 1863 in protest, and briefly returned to service with the militia to suppress the New York City draft riots.

Postbellum service

He then went into business, and was a partner in Phelps Dodge Co., and President of the New York and Boston Cape Cod Canal Co., which was eventually purchased and completed by the Federal Government in 1914.

He died in New York City in 1910 of pneumonia. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York).

Family

See also

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)