Charles Dudley Rhodes (February 10, 1865 – January 24, 1948) was a United States Army major general. He was a prominent commander of cavalry units from the Indian Wars through World War I, and was a lecturer and author.

Early life The son of Major Dudley Woodbridge Rhodes and Marcia Parrish, Charles D. Rhodes was nicknamed "Teddy".Generals in Khaki, by Henry Blaine Davis Jr., 1998, p. 307The Regulars: The American Army, 1898–1941, by Edward M. Coffman, 2007, p. 459 He was born in Delaware, Ohio, on February 10, 1865, and graduated from Columbian University (now George Washington University) in 1885.General Alumni Catalogue, George Washington University, published by the university, 1930, p. 53 In 1889 he graduated, 26th in a class of 49, from the United States Military Academy, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant of cavalry.The Rhodes Family in America, compiled and published by Nelson Osgood Rhoades, 1919, p. 7 Among his fellow graduates included several men who would become general officers, such as William S. Graves, Clement Flagler, Eben Eveleth Winslow, Frank Daniel Webster, Walter Augustus Bethel, Winthrop S. Wood, Chester Harding, William L. Kenly, Joseph D. Leitch, Edward McGlachlin Jr., George LeRoy Irwin, William Wright Harts, William G. Haan, Charles Crawford and William Lassiter. Charles Young was another distinguished graduate, becoming the first African American to attain the rank of colonel.

Early military career Rhodes served in the 6th Cavalry Regiment during the final US Army campaign against the Sioux.The World Almanac & Book of Facts, published by Facts on File, Inc., 1903, p. 405

Rhodes' post-Indian Wars assignments included professor of military science at Ohio Wesleyan UniversityFifty Years of History of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio: 1844–1894, compiled by Professor W.G. Williams, published by Ohio Wesleyan University, 1895, p. 97 and commander of a cavalry troop during the China Relief Expedition.America in the China Relief Expedition, by Aaron Simon Daggett, 1903, p. 115

Spanish–American War Rhodes served with the 6th Cavalry Regiment in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War.The Problem in the Philippines, by Henry Moore Teller, 1902, p. 60 He received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism at Cavite on the island of Luzon.Home of Heroes , Recipients of The Distinguished Service Cross during the Philippine Insurrection, accessed June 30, 2012 The DSC citation reads:

Post Spanish–American War Rhodes graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1908.Annual Report for 1908 published by U.S. Government printing Office, 1908, Volume IV, p. 28

In 1911, Rhodes was an umpire at the mounted exercise conducted by the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, by George Washington Cullum and Edward Singleton Holden, 1920, Volume 6, Part 1, p. 523

Later in 1911, Rhodes and Paul Bernard Malone took part in a confidential mission, traveling to Mexico disguised as journalists to assess the likelihood that Francisco I. Madero could remain in power if he won the presidency in the 1912 election.The Archaeologist was a Spy: Sylvanus G. Morley and the Office of Naval Intelligence, by Charles Houston Harris III and Louis R. Sadler, 2003, p. 13

During the 1912 Connecticut Maneuvers, Rhodes served as assistant chief of staff for the Red Division.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, by George Washington Cullum and Edward Singleton Holden, 1920, Volume 6, Part 1, p. 523

In 1913 Rhodes was assigned as adjutant of the Cavalry Camp of Instruction at Fort Riley, Kansas, and from 1914 to 1917 Rhodes, promoted on July 1, 1916 to lieutenant colonel, served as commandant of Fort Riley's Mounted Service School.National Cyclopedia of American Biography, by J.T. White, 1964, Volume 1, p. 433

World War I

From June to December, after the American entry into World War I, Rhodes, who had been promoted to colonel on May 23, commanded the 21st Cavalry Regiment, which was reorganized as the 79th Field Artillery Regiment.Generals in Khaki, by Henry Blaine Davis Jr., 1998, p. 307National Cyclopedia of American Biography, by J.T. White, 1964, Volume 1, p. 433

In December, after being promoted to brigadier general in the National Army, he commanded the 157th Field Artillery Brigade, part of the 82nd Division, from February to October 1918, leading the brigade overseas to the Western Front with the rest of the division in May."Who's Who In Our Army", New York Times, September 8, 1918

Rhodes later assumed command of the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division, receiving temporary promotion to major general on October 1, 1918. Within days of taking command of the division, however, in late 1918, Rhodes was injured in a plane crash, and turned the command over to Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur so he could recuperate."Who's Who In Our Army", New York Times, December 1, 1918"Gen. C.D. Rhodes Improved" , Baltimore Sun, December 25, 1918

For his services during the war, Rhodes was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star.Major Military Awards, Charles Dudley Rhodes, Hall of Valor, Military Times, accessed April 25, 2011Record of Hearing before the Committee on U.S. Senate Committee on Military Affairs, on Senate Bill 2328, published by U.S. Senate, March 19, 1940, p. 17 The citation for his Army DSM reads:

He also received the Order of the Bath from Great Britain and the Legion of Honor from France.National Cyclopedia of American Biography, by J.T. White, 1964, Volume 1, p. 433

Post World War I Rhodes graduated from the Army War College in 1920.Who's Who Among North American Authors, by Golden Syndicate Publishing Company, 1929, Volume 6, p. 867

His post-World War I assignments included commander of the 34th Infantry DivisionJoseph E. Persico, Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour, 2005, p. 332J.T. White, National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1964, p. 433 and Chief of Staff of US forces in the Philippines.Philippines-Japan Relations, by Setsuho Ikehata and Lydia N. Yu-Jose, 2003, p. 54 He was promoted to permanent brigadier general in 1925, and major general in 1928."To Retain Gen. Patrick; War Department Recommends His Reappointment as Air Service Chief", New York Times, July 28, 1935"Two New Major Generals," by Associated Press, published in Syracuse Herald, May 19, 1928

Career as an author Rhodes was a writer and lecturer. He authored several books and magazine articles, as well as historical works on cavalry in the Civil War. His works include: History of the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac (1900); The Vicksburg Campaign (1908); Letters of a West Point Cadet: An Epic in Blank Verse of the Class of 1889, United States Military Academy (1935); Chief Joseph and the Nez Perces Campaign of 1877 (1937); and Diary Notes of a Soldier (1940). Beginning in the 1890s, Rhodes also authored numerous articles and short stories which were published in magazines.

Retirement and death Rhodes retired from the Army in 1929 and resided in Washington, D.C.Obituary, Charles Dudley Rhodes, Washington Post, January 27, 1948Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1929, p. 532 He died at Walter Reed Hospital on January 24, 1948, and was buried with his wife Mary Counselman (1867–1943) at Arlington National Cemetery.Burial Detail: Rhodes, Charles D (Section 3, Grave 1486) – ANC Explorer

References

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External links

Charles Dudley Rhodes at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial webpage Overview of the Charles Dudley Rhodes diary extracts, Hoover Institution, Online Archive of California, accessed April 25, 2011