Charles A. R. Dimon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles A. R. Dimon
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Bvt. Brig. Gen. Charles A. R. Dimon c. 1890
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| 37th Mayor of Lowell, Massachusetts |
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| In office 1901 – May 21, 1902 |
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| Preceded by | Jeremiah Crowley |
| Succeeded by | Charles E. Howe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 27, 1841 Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Died | May 21, 1902 (aged 61) Lowell, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | East Cemetery, Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Nationality | American |
| Awards | Brevet Brigadier General |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Union |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 1st United States Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Charles Augustus Ropes Dimon (born April 27, 1841 – died May 5, 1902) was an American soldier who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He started as a private soldier and worked his way up. He became a colonel and was later given the special honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This special rank was given to him by President Andrew Johnson because of his brave service.
In 1864, when Dimon was only 23, he led a unique group of soldiers. This group, called the 1st United States Volunteer Infantry, was made up of former Confederate soldiers. They had been prisoners of war and chose to join the Union Army to gain their freedom. Because their loyalty was uncertain, these units were often sent to the American West. There, they helped protect settlers and dealt with Native American tribes. Dimon spent much of 1864 and 1865 in command of Fort Rice in what is now North Dakota.
After the war, Dimon became a successful businessman. He managed the U.S. Cartridge Company in Lowell, Massachusetts. Later, in 1901, he was elected mayor of Lowell.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in the War
Charles Dimon was born in Fairfield, Connecticut. He grew up there and went to Fairfield Academy. As a young man, he moved to Salem, Massachusetts, and worked as a bookkeeper. When the Civil War began in 1861, Dimon was 19 years old. He quickly joined the 8th Massachusetts Infantry.
Serving in the Civil War
8th Massachusetts Infantry
The 8th Massachusetts was one of the first groups of soldiers to join the Union Army. They answered President Lincoln's call for volunteers right after the attack on Fort Sumter. Dimon served as a private in Company J. This company was a special type of unit called a Zouave company.
His company was sent to protect the famous ship USS Constitution in Annapolis, Maryland. After that, the 8th Massachusetts helped fix and guard railroad lines near Baltimore, Maryland. Dimon finished his 90 days of service and left the army in August 1861.
30th Massachusetts Infantry
In late 1861, Dimon helped recruit soldiers for a new group, the 30th Massachusetts Infantry. This regiment was part of a plan by Major General Benjamin F. Butler to capture New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederacy.
The regiment arrived in Louisiana in February 1862. They played a small part in the capture of New Orleans in April and May 1862. General Butler noticed Dimon's energy and enthusiasm early on. Because of Butler's support, Dimon was promoted to 1st lieutenant in February 1862. He became the regiment's adjutant, which meant he helped the commanding officer with administrative tasks.
Dimon and the 30th Massachusetts also tried to dig a canal near Vicksburg, Mississippi. The goal was to change the course of the Mississippi River and bypass Vicksburg, a major Confederate stronghold. This effort was not successful. In August 1862, Dimon and his regiment fought in their first big battle, the Battle of Baton Rouge. The Confederates tried to take back the state capital but failed.
2nd Louisiana Infantry
In September 1862, a new unit was formed called the 2nd Louisiana Infantry. This group was made up of Union supporters from Louisiana and former Confederate prisoners. General Butler again helped Dimon get promoted. Dimon became a major and was the third-in-command of this new regiment.
The 2nd Louisiana fought in the Battle of Plains Store and the Siege of Port Hudson in 1863. After a battle in June 1863, Major Dimon became ill. He had to leave the army for a while because of his health.
1st United States Volunteers
After he recovered, Dimon wanted to work for General Butler again. Butler was in charge of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. Instead of putting Dimon on his personal staff, Butler made him a major in a brand new regiment. This was the 1st United States Volunteer Infantry.
This regiment was special because it was made up entirely of "Galvanized Yankees". These were Confederate prisoners who agreed to join the Union Army and fight for the Union. In return, they would be set free. Dimon was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1864. By August 1864, at just 23 years old, he became a colonel and took command of the 1st United States Volunteers.
At first, the 1st U.S. Volunteers saw some fighting in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. However, the Union army's top commander, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, decided that these former prisoners should not fight against their old comrades. So, in August 1864, Dimon's regiment was sent to Fort Rice in the Dakota Territory. They traveled a long way by train and steamboat. They then marched 250 miles to reach Fort Rice in October 1864. As the commander of the fort, Dimon was in charge of finishing its construction, helping settlers, and managing relationships with Native American tribes.
The winter at Fort Rice was very cold. In the spring of 1865, relations with the Sioux people became difficult. Tribes like the Yanktonai and Lakota saw Fort Rice as a threat to their land. They launched repeated attacks on the fort. Dimon had no experience with Native American relations. But he managed to build a good relationship with the Yanktonai Chief Two Bears. However, more Union troops arrived, leading to a large Sioux attack on Fort Rice on July 28, 1865. Dimon's strict training helped his soldiers successfully defend the fort.
As commander, Dimon tried to stop illegal trading with Native Americans. He ordered that steamboats coming up the Missouri River be searched. He also tried to fight corruption by local officials from the Office of Indian Affairs. These actions made some civilians unhappy and caused problems for his superior officer, Brigadier General Alfred Sully.
Because of these difficulties, Dimon took a medical leave in September 1865. When he returned in October, many soldiers had left, and discipline was low. Soon, news arrived that the regiment would finally be released from service. Dimon led the remaining soldiers back to Fort Leavenworth. He and his regiment were officially discharged on November 27, 1865.
In January 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Dimon for the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This was to recognize his brave and excellent service. The U.S. Senate confirmed this award in March 1866.
Life After the War
After the war, Charles Dimon found success in civilian life, again with help from Benjamin Butler. In 1869, Butler started the U.S. Cartridge Company in Lowell, Massachusetts. This company made ammunition for small guns. Butler hired Dimon to manage the company in the mid-1870s. Under Dimon's leadership, the company grew. By the 1880s, it had about 250 workers. It also started making a weapon similar to the Gatling gun.
Later in his life, Dimon entered politics. In 1901, he became the 37th mayor of Lowell. He passed away in 1902 from throat cancer while still serving as mayor.
