The Life of Lt. Col. James Gordon Clarke Dodge, descendant of William Dodge who came to the area of Salem, Massachusetts in 1629, from Middle Chonnock, Somersetshire, England. William was the son of John Dodge of Middle Chinnock. William's brother, Richard, arrived here in 1638, and his brother, Michael, stayed in England. The parents of Lt. Col. Dodge were Joshua Cleves Dodge and his 2nd wife, Jane Maria Clark. Lt. Col. Dodge was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Preston, Union Countym, Iowa. He is buried in Nashua Cemetery, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
A movie in 10 chapters of the Life Story of James Gordon Clarke Dodge and the Civil War as he experienced it, was given to us by Leonard Dodge of Melrose, Massachusetts. Leonard did all the research and then made the movie. It is amazing and having it broken up into chapters makes it easy to watch as time allows. James served with the 19th Massachusetts and the 61st Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers for the entire length of the war. He was seriously wounded twice but returned to the battle fields even though he had to use crutches to do so. James was a remarkable man who was willing to sacrifice his life for his beloved country and the men who served it. James C. G. Dodge's life story caught my eyes and heart after I stumbled onto his obituary while researching our family history. After reading his obituary I just had to find out all I could about his life and family. He moved to France after his father's death and developed a dislike for all that was foreign; he loved his country and returned. His family on the other hand loved France; so much so, they all either live or died in France. The only members, other than James who were buried in the US were his mother and father. Leonard Dodge |