Francis S. Dodge

Francis Safford Dodge
Born	(1842-09-11)September 11, 1842 Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 19, 1908(1908-02-19) (aged 65) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Place of Burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1861–1906
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	Paymaster General
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of Roanoke Island Battle of New Bern Battle of White Hall Battle of Kinston Battle of Goldsborough Bridge Indian wars White River War Spanish–American War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Francis Safford Dodge (September 11, 1842 – February 19, 1908) was a US Army officer with the rank of Brigadier General, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars. He also served as Paymaster General.

Biography

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Dodge was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, and joined the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry in October 1861, and reached the rank of corporal by late 1863. In December 1863, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 2nd USCT Cavalry Regiment. In July 1865, he was promoted to captain.

After the Civil War, Dodge was transferred to the 9th Cavalry Regiment as a first lieutenant. He regained his wartime rank in July 1867, and served in the White River War. He was promoted to major in 1880, and served as an army paymaster in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. He eventually became Paymaster General of the United States Army in January 1904 and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Dodge retired in September 1906.

During the two years following his retirement, he served as Director of the American Surety and Trust Company. Dodge died in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

General Dodge was a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Near White River Agency, Colo., September 29, 1879. Entered service at: Danvers, Mass. Birth: September 11, 1842, Danvers, Mass. Date of issue: April 2, 1898.

With a force of 40 men rode all night to the relief of a command that had been defeated and was besieged by an overwhelming force of Indians, reached the field at daylight, joined in the action and fought for three days.

External links

• Historical Register and Dictionary of the US Army