Scope and Contents
The John W. Dodd Papers cover the period between 1845 and 1862, but consist primarily of chronologically arranged correspondence between John W. Dodd and his wife Eliza Dodd from May 1847 to June 1848. The papers are concerned with Dodd's military experiences in the Mexican War and Eliza's feelings of loneliness and apprehension during his absence.
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.
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
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The John W. Dodd Papers are the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were purchased in 1970 from Edward Eberstadt and Sons on the Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana.
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
The papers contain correspondence and other papers documenting John W. Dodd's service in the Mexican War and the effect the conflict had on his wife Eliza in Marion, Indiana.
JOHN W. DODD
In the spring of 1847 John W. Dodd of Marion, Indiana, enlisted for service in the Mexican War, joining Company A, Fourth Regiment of the Indiana Volunteers. He left at home his wife Eliza (b. 1822) and two small children, Kate and Willie (b. spring 1847). Mustered as a lieutenant on May 31, 1847, he traveled with his regiment from Jeffersonville, Indiana, to New Orleans between May 25 and June 3, 1847. The regiment sailed to Brazos Santiago, an island off the coast of southern Texas, in July. Dodd passed through Reynosa, Mier, Vera Cruz, and Perote, before arriving in Puebla, Mexico, in October 1847, where he remained stationed for the remainder of the war. The regiment did not see any combat, except for minor skirmishes with Mexican guerrillas. While stationed at Puebla, Dodd was promoted to adjutant to the regiment in October, assistant adjutant general of the brigade in December, and finally to captain of A Company in April 1848. In March, Dodd sustained an accidental, self-inflicted, gunshot wound in his groin. He left Puebla in June, reached New Orleans by the end of the month, and was formally discharged on July 20, 1848.
- 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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