Date Original
1859-1970
Description
This collection contains Civil War letters of the Dodd family, materials relating to the trial of David O. Dodd, and published and unpublished materials relating to Dodd and his family.
Biographical/Historical Note
David Owen Dodd was born at Victoria, Lavaca County, Texas, on November 10, 1846. In 1858, the family moved to Benton, Arkansas. In 1861 or 1862, the family moved to Little Rock, where David began attending St. John's College. Shortly afterward, he dropped out because of illness and worked in telegraph offices, first at Little Rock, then later at Monroe, Louisiana. In 1863, David joined his father, who was sutler to the Third Arkansas Regiment (dismounted rifles)in Granada, Mississippi. After Federal occupation of Little Rock on September 10, 1863, David returned to Little Rock for the purpose of bringing his mother and sisters to Jackson, Mississippi. As efforts to relocate were unsuccessful, David and his family returned to Little Rock, where David obtained employment in a sutler's store. In early December 1863, David's father returned and took the family to Camden, Arkansas. In mid-December, David was sent back to Little Rock to complete unfinished business on behalf of his father. David carried a certificate signed by his father stating his date of birth and lack of affiliation with the army. This was not sufficient to save David from arrest on his return trip December 29, 1863, when a search by Federal soldiers revealed a memoranda book containing descriptions of Federal troops in the area in telegraphic code. Following a six day trial, the court passed sentence of death by hanging. Pardon was offered to young Dodd if he would reveal his informant. When he refused, General Steele ordered the sentence carried out on January 8, 1864, on the grounds of St. John's College. Dodd was buried January 9, 1864, at Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Arkansas
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000050
Resource Type
Text
Collection
David O. Dodd papers, MS.000050
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
David O. Dodd papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
