Elisha Hunt Rhodes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisha Hunt Rhodes
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| Born | March 21, 1842 Pawtuxet, Rhode Island |
| Died | January 14, 1917 (aged 74) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Place of burial |
Swan Point Cemetery
Providence, Rhode Island |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
Union Army Rhode Island Militia |
| Years of service | 1861–65 (Army) 1879–92 (Militia) |
| Rank | Colonel (Army) Brigadier General (Militia) |
| Commands held | 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Rhode Island militia |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Pearce Hunt |
| Children | one son and two daughters |
Elisha Hunt Rhodes (born March 21, 1842 – died January 14, 1917) was an American soldier. He served in the Union Army during the entire American Civil War. He started as a corporal and became a colonel by the end of the war. Rhodes kept a detailed diary of his time in the war. This diary was famously used in Ken Burns's PBS documentary The Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Elisha Hunt Rhodes was born in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island. His parents were Elisha H. Rhodes and Eliza A. Chase. He had several sisters and two brothers. When he was 14, Rhodes went to Potter and Hammond's Business Academy in Providence.
His father died in a hurricane on December 10, 1858. His ship, the Worcester, sank, and he was buried in the Bahamas.
Serving in the Civil War
Rhodes joined the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. He served with this group throughout the whole American Civil War.
Joining the Army
Rhodes got permission from his mother to join the war. At first, he thought it would be an exciting adventure. He enlisted on June 5, 1861, starting as a corporal.
Rising Through the Ranks
Rhodes quickly moved up in rank during the war.
- On March 1, 1862, he became a sergeant major.
- He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on July 24, 1862.
- By April 15, 1863, he was a 1st lieutenant. He was put in charge of Company B.
- He became the regiment's adjutant on November 6, 1863.
- On June 21, 1864, he was promoted to captain. He then commanded the regiment for the rest of the war.
- He received an honorary promotion (called a brevet) to major on December 5, 1864.
- On February 6, 1865, he became a lieutenant colonel. He was still in command of the regiment.
- He received another brevet to colonel on April 2, 1865. This was for his brave service in the Petersburg campaign.
- Rhodes left the army with his regiment on July 13, 1865.
Life After the War
After the war, Elisha Hunt Rhodes became a very successful businessman. He also became very involved in helping other veterans. He always attended the reunions for his old regiment, the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry.
Family Life
Rhodes married Caroline Pearce Hunt (1841–1930) on June 12, 1866. They had one son, Frederick Miller Rhodes, and one daughter, Alice Caroline Rhodes Chace.
Public Service
In 1875, he was appointed as a collector for the U.S. Internal Revenue in Rhode Island. From June 25, 1879, to March 21, 1892, he served as the commander of the Rhode Island Militia. He held the rank of brigadier general. During his time, General Rhodes helped make the militia more professional. He also set up a state training ground at Quonset Point.
Community Involvement
Rhodes was very active in several important organizations.
Grand Army of the Republic
He was very involved with the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This was the largest group for Union veterans after the Civil War. He held many roles, including:
- Adjutant of Prescott Post, No. 1, in 1867.
- Commander of the post in 1868.
- Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of Rhode Island in 1871.
- Commander of the department in 1872–73.
- Member of the National Encampment in 1874–75.
- National senior vice commander of the GAR for one year (1877–78).
Other Organizations
He was also Vice President of the Society of the Army of the Potomac in 1877. He served as president of the Second Rhode Island Volunteer Association. Since 1873, he was president of the Rhode Island Soldiers' and Sailors' Historical Society. In 1879, he was Vice President of the 6th Army Corps Association.
In 1892, he joined the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). This was a society for officers who served in the Union army during the Civil War.
Freemasonry
Rhodes was an active Freemason. He joined this group while on leave from the army in 1864. He served as Worshipful Master of Harmony Lodge, No. 9, in Cranston, Rhode Island. Later, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island for 1892-1893.
Death and Burial
Elisha Hunt Rhodes passed away in Providence on January 14, 1917. He and his wife are buried together in the Rhodes family plot at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.
Legacy
Elisha Hunt Rhodes is best known for his wartime journal and letters. These were published as All For the Union by his great-grandson, Robert H. Rhodes. His diary shares his thoughts about the Civil War. It shows his strong belief that the Union must stay together. It also shows his Christian faith. The writings reveal a young man who wanted to be home with his family but also found army life enjoyable. His writings became famous when they were featured in filmmaker Ken Burns' PBS-TV documentary series The Civil War.
His large collection of personal items and memories is now kept by the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence.
