Scope and Contents
Dodd's early letters describe regimental life, focusing on modes of transport, quartering arrangements, methods of pay, election of officers, and health of the soldiers. In addition, Dodd provides detailed observations of Louisville, Cincinnati, and New Orleans.
From Mexico, Dodd writes about everyday military life, duties as an officer, Mexican guerrillas, and people with whom he associated. Dodd frequently mentions Colonel Willis Arnold Gorman (1816-1876), former Indiana state legislator and future territorial governor of Minnesota, as a fine commanding officer. Dodd, along with Gorman and other officers, traveled to Mexico City on a sightseeing tour in March 1848. Dodd also refers to General Henry Smith Lane (1811-1881), an Indiana Whig who was a staunch supporter of the war. Dodd considered Lane to be politically ambitious and regarded him highly.
Dodd and his wife carry on a dialogue concerning neighbors John Wallace and Oliver and Lois Carey. Wallace, captain of A Company, returned to Marion in September and by so doing suffered disgrace, which led ultimately to his resignation. Dodd and his wife provide insight into public opinion of men who returned home prematurely. The Dodds' discussion of Oliver and Lois Carey contains information on the relationship between the two couples. Eliza writes of Lois's sense of loss and solitude and Dodd of Carey's abandonment of responsibility for those at home.
Dodd described in detail his travels through Mexico. He observed the countryside, cities and towns, and people who inhabited them, thereby giving an excellent picture of life in Mexico during the war. He socialized with the Mexicans at Puebla and attended Mexican dances and dinners. He discussed the Puebla Mexicans' hopes for peace and their civil attitude toward the occupying Americans.
Eliza Dodd's letters are dominated by pleas for her husband's return home and fears about his possible death. She makes only occasional and cryptic references to their children, other family members, or the household. She does, however, describe in some detail the marriage on August 1, 1847, of Dodd's sister Mary. Also contained in the papers is a letter to Dodd from his sister Mary, a letter from an associate A. Staves, a short passage in his daughter Kate's hand, and a letter to Captain John Wallace from Dodd.
Dates
- 1845-1862
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
JOHN W. DODD
- Carey, Oliver
- Dodd, Eliza, 1822-
- Dodd, John W.
- Families
- Gorman, Willis Arnold, 1816-1876
- Husband and wife
- Indiana -- History -- Mexican War, 1846-1848
- Lane, Henry Smith, 1811-1881
- Marion (Ind.)
- Married women
- Mexican War, 1846-1848
- Mexico -- Description and travel
- Puebla de Zaragoza (Mexico)
- Soldiers -- Family relationships
- Soldiers -- Indiana
- United States. Army (Military life)
- United States. Army. Indiana Regiment, 4th
- Wallace, John, fl. 1847
- Women
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the John W. Dodd Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- by Heather L. Holeman
- Date
- September 1986
- Description rules
- Beinecke Manuscript Unit Archival Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
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