Question of the Week: 8/27-9/2/18
The ECW Weekender post about John Wesley Powell got us thinking about the post-war, civilian life accomplishments of Civil War veterans.
Is there a Civil War veteran’s post-war story or contributions that stands out to you?
Grenville M. Dodge
Appointed Colonel of 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry in July 1861, Dodge was seriously wounded at March 1862 Battle of Pea Ridge (Arkansas); then was instrumental in organizing an Intelligence Network that assisted General U.S. Grant in achieving ultimate Victory. Finishing his war career as Major General — and at one time in command of the XVI Army Corps — Grenville Dodge left off re-uniting the North and South, and focused instead on connecting the East and West… via the Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869.
Dodge is one of my favorite “B-list” players as well–you stole my response! Better said than I could have, however.
I’d say Longstreet, but that may vary by perspective.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. ‘Nuff said.
Washington Roebling did OK …
I always enjoy watching “Ben Hur”, courtesy of Lew Wallace.
William McKinley, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Stanley Matthews, all from the 23rd Ohio. Two presidents and a supreme court justice isn’t too bad. I think we can even toss a few other politicians and Harrison Otis of Otis elevator in there.
A moment to reflect on what might have been by all those who never lived to make a difference…….
A SOLDIER’S RECOLLECTIONS by Randolph H. McKim
Wesley Merritt and Arthur MacArthur for what they did in the late 19th-Century Army and then combining with George Dewey to win world power status in Asia for the United States.
I’m just as fascinated with Grant’s life as a writer in the last months of his life as I am with his military or political careers.
Captain Eli Lilly, 18th Indiana Battery, served John Wilder’s Brigade heroically – in particular at Chickamauga. Lilly was trained as a pharmacist and later developed the mega-company that now bears his name.