Rufus Dawes

Rufus Dawes
General Rufus R. Dawes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 15th district
In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883
Preceded by	George W. Geddes
Succeeded by	Adoniram J. Warner
Personal details
Born	(1838-07-04)July 4, 1838 Malta, Ohio
Died	August 1, 1899(1899-08-01) (aged 61) Marietta, Ohio
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.