Rufus Dawes facts for kids
- For his son, see Rufus C. Dawes
- Rufus Dawes is also the name of the protagonist in the Australian novel For the Term of his Natural Life.
Quick facts for kids
Rufus Dawes
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 15th district |
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| In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | George W. Geddes |
| Succeeded by | Adoniram J. Warner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1838 Malta, Ohio |
| Died | August 1, 1899 (aged 61) Marietta, Ohio |
| Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery Marietta, Ohio |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Beman Gates |
| Children |
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| Relatives | Ephraim C. Dawes (brother) |
| Alma mater | Marietta College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank | |
| Commands | 6th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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Rufus R. Dawes (July 4, 1838 – August 1, 1899) was an important military officer. He fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was known for his brave service in the famous Iron Brigade. This was especially true during the Battle of Gettysburg.
After the war, he became a successful businessman. He also served as a Congressman and wrote a book. Rufus R. Dawes was the father of four sons who became well-known across the country. One of his sons, Charles G. Dawes, even won the Nobel Peace Prize and became Vice President of the United States.
Rufus R. Dawes came from a family with a history of service. He was a great-grandson of William Dawes. William Dawes helped warn American colonists about the British army before the American Revolution. He was also a great-grandson of Rev. Manasseh Cutler. Cutler helped create the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. He also played a big role in forming the Ohio Company of Associates.
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Military Service in the Civil War
Rufus Dawes moved to Wisconsin before the Civil War began. In May 1861, he helped create a group of volunteer soldiers. He was chosen as their Captain. On July 16, 1861, his group, Company K, joined the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. They agreed to serve for three years.
His regiment spent almost a year in Northern Virginia. They did not see much major fighting at first. In June 1862, Dawes was promoted to major. He fought with his regiment in several important battles. These included the Second Battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, and Battle of Antietam. He also fought at Fredericksburg. During most of the Battle of Antietam, he was in charge of his regiment. This happened after Lt. Colonel Edward S. Bragg was injured.
In March 1863, Dawes became a lieutenant colonel. He took part in the Chancellorsville Campaign. He bravely led a river crossing under enemy fire on April 29.
The Battle of Gettysburg
On July 1, 1863, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Dawes showed great leadership. He led a counterattack against a Confederate brigade. Many of these Confederate soldiers were hiding in an unfinished railroad cut. Dawes and his men forced over 200 Confederate soldiers to surrender. This was a very important moment in the battle.
Later that year, he fought in the Mine Run Campaign. During a break from fighting, Dawes went back to Ohio. He married Mary Beman Gates on January 18, 1864. She was from Marietta, Ohio.
After his marriage, he returned to the Army of the Potomac. He fought in the Battle of the Wilderness and the Siege of Petersburg. In July 1864, Dawes was offered the full rank of colonel. However, he chose not to accept the promotion. He left the army on August 10, 1864. This was after fighting in the Battles of Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.
On February 24, 1866, President Andrew Johnson honored Dawes. He nominated him to be a brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This rank was effective from March 13, 1865. The United States Senate approved this honor on April 10, 1866.
After the war, Dawes joined the Ohio Commandery. This was part of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. It was a group for Union officers.
Life After the War
After the war, Rufus Dawes went back home to Marietta, Ohio. He started working in the lumber business. In August of that year, his son Charles Gates Dawes was born. Charles would later become the Vice President of the United States.
In July 1867, another son, Rufus C. Dawes, was born. He grew up to be a respected businessman and lawyer. He even won Chicago's "Most Distinguished Citizen Award" in 1934.
A third son, Beman Gates Dawes, also became a Congressman from Ohio. His fourth son, Henry May Dawes, became a powerful banker. He served as the Comptroller of the Currency for the United States. This was under Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Rufus and Mary Dawes also had two daughters, Mary Frances Dawes Beach and Betsey Dawes Hoyt.
Rufus Dawes also served on the Board of Trustees for Marietta College. He was a trustee from 1871 until his death 28 years later. He was also a Trustee for Ohio's Institute for the Deaf and Dumb.
Political Career and Writings
In 1881, Dawes was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Ohio's 15th Congressional District. He was a member of the Republican party. He served one term in Congress.
He lost his re-election bid because he voted against the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This act limited immigration from China.
In 1890, he published a popular book. It was called Service with the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers. This book told the story of his time in the Civil War. The State Historical Society of Wisconsin republished it in 1962.
Rufus Dawes was known as a great speaker. He also strongly supported creating diplomatic relations with Persia. Because of this, President William McKinley offered Dawes a job as Minister to Persia in 1897. However, Dawes had to decline the offer because his health was failing.
Rufus R. Dawes passed away two years later, on August 1, 1899. He died in Marietta, Ohio. He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta.
In 2003, Marietta College added Rufus Dawes to its Hall of Honor.
