Nathan Dudley facts for kids

Nathan Augustus Monroe Dudley (born August 20, 1825 – died April 29, 1910) was an important soldier in American history. He served as a colonel and sometimes as a temporary brigadier general for the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he continued his military career in the New Mexico Territory.

Early Military Service

Dudley began his military career as a captain. During the Civil War, he led the 30th Massachusetts Volunteers. He also worked as an aide to Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks. On January 19, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln honored Dudley with the title of brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This was an honorary rank. The U.S. Senate confirmed this award on February 14, 1865.

After the Civil War, Dudley returned to his regular rank. He then joined the Third U.S. Cavalry. He was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Ninth Cavalry and finally to Colonel of the First U.S. Cavalry. He spent much of his career serving on the frontier, often dealing with Native American tribes. His soldiers generally liked him, but some of his fellow officers did not.

Role in the Lincoln County War

Dudley's actions during the Lincoln County War (1877–1879) in New Mexico Territory were much debated. He was the commanding officer of the local Fort Stanton. Even though he was ordered not to get involved in civilian matters, he did. He said he was protecting civilians, but it seemed he favored one side, the Murphy-Dolan group, during this conflict. People tried to have him removed from his command, and these requests went all the way to the Secretary of War, but they were denied.

In 1879, Susan McSween, whose husband Alexander McSween was a key person in the conflict, raised concerns about Dudley's actions. General Hatch removed Dudley as commander on March 7, 1879. An official inquiry looked into his actions. In July 1879, the inquiry decided that a military trial against Dudley was not needed. Dudley was then moved to Fort Union, also in New Mexico Territory. In November 1879, Dudley was also found not guilty in a trial related to an arson incident during the Battle of Lincoln.

Later Career and Retirement

Later in his career, Dudley helped Colonel George Buell in an expedition against the Apache chief Victorio. This indirectly led to Victorio's death by the Mexican army. In 1887, as a colonel of the 1st Cavalry, Dudley helped to stop a rebellion on the Crow reservation during the Crow War. A leader of one of the Crow groups, Sword Bearer, was killed during this time.

In 1904, during his retirement, Dudley was promoted to regular army brigadier general. He passed away in 1910 at the age of 84. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery under a special tombstone that he had designed himself.