Francis S. Dodge

Francis Safford Dodge (September 11, 1842 – February 19, 1908) was a US Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars. He was born in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Dodge enlisted in the army in October 1861, and reached the rank of corporal by late 1863. In December 1863, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Cavalry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. He ended the war with the rank of captain.

After the war, Dodge remained in the army and reverted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was again promoted to captain in 1867, and served in the White River War. He was promoted to major in 1890, and served as an army paymaster in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He eventually reached the rank of brigadier general in January 1904, and was retired in September 1906.

During the two years following his retirement, he served as Director of the American Surety and Trust Company. Dodge died in Washington D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Near White River Agency, Colo., September 29, 1879. Entered service at: Danvers, Mass. Birth: 11 September 1842, Danvers, Mass. Date of issue: April 2, 1898.

"With a force of 40 men rode all night to the relief of a command that had been defeated and was besieged by an overwhelming force of Indians, reached the field at daylight, joined in the action and fought for 3 days."