Rufus Dawes | |
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General Rufus R. Dawes
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 15th district |
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In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883 |
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Preceded by | George W. Geddes |
Succeeded by | Adoniram J. Warner |
Personal details | |
Born |
Malta, Ohio |
July 4, 1838
Died | August 1, 1899 Marietta, Ohio |
(aged 61)
Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery, Marietta, Ohio |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Mary Beman Gates |
Children | six |
Alma mater | Marietta College |
Military service | |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1864 |
Rank | Brevet Brigadier General |
Unit | 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Rufus R. Dawes (July 4, 1838 – August 2, 1899) was a military officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He used the middle initial "R" but had no middle name. He was noted for his service in the famed Iron Brigade, particularly during the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a post-war businessman, Congressman, and author, and the father of four nationally known sons, one of whom, Charles G. Dawes, served as Vice President of the United States, and of two daughters. He was himself a great-grandson of William Dawes, who alerted colonial minutemen of the approach of the British army prior to the Battles of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution.
Having migrated to Wisconsin prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Dawes organized a volunteer unit from Mauston in June and on July 16, 1861 won election as captain. Company K was mustered into the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which served for the first months of the war on guard duty in Washington, D.C.. In June, 1862, Dawes was promoted to major. He served with his regiment at the Battle of Groveton and at Antietam and Fredericksburg. In March, 1863, Dawes received a promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served in the Chancellorsville Campaign.