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Grenville M. Dodge

Grenville Mellen Dodge
GMDodge.jpg
Major General Dodge sometime after his June 1864 promotion to Maj.Gen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by John A. Kasson
Succeeded by Francis W. Palmer
Personal details
Born (1831-04-12)April 12, 1831
Danvers, Massachusetts
Died January 3, 1916(1916-01-03) (aged 84)
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861–1866
Rank Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Major General
Commands XVI Corps
Department of the Missouri
Battles/wars

American Civil War


American Civil War

Grenville Mellen Dodge (April 12, 1831 – January 3, 1916) was a Union army officer on the frontier and pioneering figure in military intelligence during the Civil War, who served as Ulysses S. Grant's intelligence Chief in the Western Theater. He served in several notable assignments, including command of the XVI Corps during the Atlanta Campaign.

He later served as a U.S. Congressman, businessman, and railroad executive who helped direct the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Historian Stanley P. Hirshon suggested that Dodge, "by virtue of the range of his abilities and activities," could be considered "more important in the national life after the Civil War than his more famous colleagues and friends, Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan."

Dodge was born in Putnamville, near Danvers in Massachusetts, to Sylvanus and Julia Theresa Phillips Dodge. From the time of his birth until he was 13 years old, Dodge moved frequently while his father tried various occupations. In 1844, Sylvanus Dodge became postmaster of the South Danvers office and opened a bookstore. While working at a neighboring farm, the 14-year-old Grenville met the owner's son, Frederick W. Lander, and helped him survey a railroad. Lander was to become "one the ablest surveyors of the exploration of the West," according to Charles Edgar Ames in Pioneering the Union Pacific. Lander was impressed with Dodge and encouraged him to go to his alma mater, Norwich University (in Vermont). Dodge prepared for college by attending Durham Academy in New Hampshire.


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Wikipedia

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