Writing as Colonel commanding the 4^th Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, future General Grenville M. Dodge, writes from “Camp Kirkwood, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, Aug. 2, 1861.”  DODGE WRITES ON BLUE HEAD-QUARTERS FOURTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS STATIONARY!  This letter concerns equipping Dodge’s regiment with muskets.  There was a need for clarification as to who would supply his regiment – the state of Iowa or the U. S. Government.  Dodge is writing the Adjutant General of the state of Iowa and giving his concerns.  Dodge and the 4^th Iowa were responsible for protection of the border with Missouri.  The letter is in very fine condition, written in nice dark ink.  There are a few ink smudges but do not detract character from this great piece. 

Dodge letters – especially those all in his hand, like this example – are quite scarce!  Seven months after writing this letter, Dodge was shot in his right side at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.  This balanced the wounding in his left side when he accidently shot himself four months after our letter was written!  Later in the war, Dodge led Sherman’s 16^th Corps in the Atlanta Campaign, where he was badly wounded.  After the war, he was quite famous in building the Union Pacific Railroad.  DODGE CITY, KANSAS WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR!  One does not encounter an important Generals full ALS like this very often!  A GREAT PIECE FOR THE IOWA OR CIVIL WAR GENERAL COLLECTOR!!

P.S. - It is interesting to note that Dodge died in Council Bluffs, Iowa – where this letter was written from 55 years earlier! 

#D70 - Price $795

                G. E. W. Baker

                Adjutant Genl.

                State of Iowa

                Dear Sir

                            Under instruction of the Governor of Iowa, I provided to Washington 
                & provided for the state 2000 muskets & accoutrements there arms were given to 
                the state in the pledge of the state through the Governor that 1000 stand of these 
                arms should be sent to the 4^th Reg. Iowa Volunteers for their use until furnished 
                further arms from the U.S., the Government thinking that we might be obliged to 
                move on the border before we were ordered away (which has proved true).  I have 
                also received notice of the shipment of those arms to be together with a letter from 
                the Governor carrying out the agreement with the war department.  Those arms  
                I understand have been taken and disturbed by the former Adj. General by what 
                authority I know not.  Today the war department notifies me that their guns will 
                be used by my regiment for the present, and instructs me if necessary to take them 
                out of the state the 2000 instructions given by the Governor.  I ask an exclamation 
                of this matter.  I do not like to be found to distribute the first order issued to me by 
                the war department especially when I pledged the war department by directions 
                of the Governor that the arms should be used as directed by them.  I trust the arms 
                will be sent me including enough at least (say 700) (I have 200) with accouterments 
                so that my command can be armed.  You will receive report in few days if the 
                command that went to the Missouri line for protection of our border.  
                I have very respectfully.

                                    Your obedient servant,

                            G. W. Dodge

                            Col. Comd. 4^th Reg. I. V.

            





                     





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