Henry C. Hodges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry C. Hodges
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| Born | January 14, 1831 Rutland, Vermont, US |
| Died | November 3, 1917 (aged 86) Buffalo, New York, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1851–1895 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general (ret.) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Annie (Anna) Abernethy |
| Children | 2 |
| Relations | Henry Clay Hodges, Jr. (son) |
Henry C. Hodges (born January 14, 1831 – died November 3, 1917) was an officer in the United States Army. He worked as a quartermaster, which means he was in charge of supplying troops with everything they needed. He served in many places across the United States, including during the American Civil War.
Contents
Becoming an Officer
Henry C. Hodges was born in Rutland, Vermont. He joined the West Point on July 1, 1847, when he was just 16 years old. This was quite common back then. In his graduating class of 42 students, 12 were 16 when they started.
Hodges did well at West Point. He graduated 32nd in his class. After graduating, he became a Second Lieutenant. His first assignment was at a frontier post called Fort Howard (Wisconsin). Soon after, he moved to Columbia Barracks in the Oregon Territory. This place was later renamed Fort Vancouver.
Exploring the Northwest
In 1853, the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, ordered a big exploration. The goal was to find the best route for a transcontinental railroad across the Northwest. This exploration was split into two parts. One group worked west from the Upper Mississippi River. The other group worked east from the Puget Sound through the Cascade Range mountains.
Lieutenant Hodges was put in charge of the military escort for the western group. He also helped manage their supplies and food.
Early Army Life and Challenges
After the railroad exploration, Hodges continued his service. In 1855, he joined a scouting trip against the Snake Indians. He also took part in the Army's Yakima Expedition that same year. This expedition, led by Major Gabriel J. Rains and Lieutenant Philip Sheridan, did not go well for either side. However, for his efforts, Hodges was promoted to First Lieutenant. He also became an assistant to the commander at Fort Vancouver.
While at Fort Vancouver, Lieutenant Hodges sometimes helped with military rules and discipline. At the same fort was General Harney, who was in charge of the larger military area. In 1860, Hodges had to investigate some soldiers who were missing from duty. They said they were working for General Harney on his farm.
General Harney was unhappy with Hodges' report. He made formal complaints against Hodges. Hodges was told to stay in his quarters. He couldn't appeal through the usual ways. But Hodges managed to send his appeals to General Winfield Scott, Harney's boss. General Scott and the chief judge found Hodges completely innocent. They ordered his immediate release. Scott even wrote that Harney's actions were very unfair.
Serving in the Civil War
Before the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant lived at Fort Vancouver. He knew Henry C. Hodges and supported his work. Later, during the Civil War, Hodges returned that support. He served as a quartermaster for Grant and other generals.
In 1861, Hodges was sent to New York. He worked for the Governor of New York. His job was to buy supplies, manage money, arrange transportation, and build barracks and supply depots. These were set up in New York and Virginia.
Supplying the Troops
By 1863, Lieutenant Colonel Hodges became the Chief Quartermaster for the Army of the Cumberland. He reported to Major General Rosecrans. Hodges was involved in the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. Just two days before the battle, the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, asked Hodges to get 2,000 horses for the cavalry. Hodges successfully found them.
Later, Hodges built supply depots for General Sherman's famous march through the South. After the Civil War ended, Hodges often helped settle claims for goods and services used by Union troops during the war. It's important to remember that over a million soldiers were in the Northern armies. They all needed food, uniforms, tents, wagons, horses, and more. The quartermasters spent over a billion dollars on supplies during the four years of the war. Colonel Hodges was considered one of the top 20 supply officers in the Union Army.
After the War
After the war, Colonel Hodges returned to the Northwest. He served as Quartermaster for the Department of Columbia and at Fort Vancouver again. He later held quartermaster jobs in many other places, including Philadelphia, New York, Arizona, New Orleans, and Washington D.C.
Colonel Hodges retired in 1895 and moved to Buffalo, New York. On April 23, 1904, Congress promoted Hodges to Brigadier General. This was to honor his long service to the country.
Family Life
While he was first stationed at Fort Vancouver, Henry Hodges married Anna (Annie) Abernethy. She was the daughter of George Abernethy, the first governor of the Oregon Territory. Henry and Anna had two children. Their daughter died young, but their son, Henry Clay Hodges, Jr., also joined the military. Major General Henry C. Hodges, Jr. served in the Spanish–American War and World War I.
Henry C. Hodges was also active in his church. He was a leader at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Vancouver, Washington. He and his wife Anna were there for the church's special dedication in 1860. This was the first dedication in the Episcopal Missionary District of Washington Territory. Hodges also helped start the second Episcopal church in the Washington Territory in 1868.
Henry C. Hodges passed away on November 3, 1917, in Buffalo, New York. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
