Francis S. Dodge

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.

Early life

The eldest child of Francis and Rebecca Dodge, Francis Safford Dodge was born on a farm in Danvers, Massachusetts. The eldest of six siblings, he graduated from Holten High School in 1862 and enlisted in the US Army on October 9, 1861, receiving his commission as a private in the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry on December 4, 1861, the unit having been commissioned by Massachusetts governor John A. Andrew on October 7. as a result of the US Army's reorganization of black soldiers into all-black segregated units.

Congress authorized the creation of six new black regiments and served in the White River War. Dodge was re-promoted to captain on July 31, 1867. Captain Francis S. Dodge on horseback with his unit of cavalry. Immediately, Captain Dodge and his men set out to relieve the troops at White River, traveling approximately 11 miles, pitching camp and staying briefly, then riding all night to reach the besieged men at approximately 4 am. Dodge and the men of 9th Cavalry spent the next several days holding off the Indian forces until on or around October 2, the survivors were escorted to Forts Steele and D.A. Russell by Captain Dodge and the men of the 9th Cavalry. ''

Post-military career After twenty-one years at Major rank, Dodge was promoted to lieutenant colonel and became a Deputy Paymaster General in the United States Army, assigned to the Department of the East until January 1904. Later that month, on January 23rd, Dodge received two promotions to colonel and then brigadier general, with Congressional approval naming him Paymaster-General of the United States Army. He assumed his new duties the next day and remained in that post until his retirement on September 11, 1906.

Dodge died in Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1908; his health had declined over the years since returning from his multiple yellow fever infections