Item No. 5441530

This undated autograph letter signed by Union Brigadier General Charles C. Dodge was most likely written around May 3, 1863, near the conclusion of the Suffolk Campaign. Dodge had led the 1st New York Mounted Rifles through most of 1862 before becoming one of the Army’s youngest brigadiers in November of that year. The promotion alarmed Dodge’s superiors in southeast Virginia, General John A. Dix and General John J. Peck, who believed Dodge was too young and unable to instill discipline in his regiment. On May 3, 1863, as General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was heavily engaged to the north at the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Confederates around Suffolk under General James Longstreet began to withdraw to move to Lee’s support. In his report that appears in the Official Records Chapter 30, p. 299, Dodge states that upon learning of the withdrawal from deserters he immediately advanced in pursuit with a mixed column of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, and, finding the rebel works empty, pushed a small detachment of cavalry further on to Cypress Chapel.

The report offered here, written and signed by Dodge, is believed to relate to the above action. Addressed to Major Benjamin B. Foster on the staff of General Peck, Dodge states that Major Alexander G. Patton (of his own 1st New York Mounted Rifles) “was about 5 miles out with patrols beyond,” adding that Patton “is most watchful, too, of his flank towards Somerton Rd. & would undoubtedly know of my movement in that direction.”

The message is briefly summarized in docket on the reverse.

Because of the lack of faith shown by his superiors, Dodge would resign only a few weeks later. He briefly returned to service in June to aid in the suppression of the New York City draft riots. He afterward went into business and became president of the New York and Boston Cape Cod Canal Company and died in New York City in 1910.

The report was written on a scrap piece of writing paper measuring about 8” x 6”. Clearly written in haste, several ink smudges are present. The paper has rough edges from where it was separated from the remainder of the sheet, but otherwise is in excellent condition. The transcript appears below:

Major B. B. Foster
A. A. Genl.

Major Patton at last advice was about 5 miles out with patrols beyond. He is most watchful, too, of his flank towards Somerton Rd. & would undoubtedly know of my movement in that direction.
Respectfully
Your Svt
Chs. C. Dodge
Brig. Genl.