{⋆★⋆} MG Rodes, Robert E.

Robert Emmett Rodes​

Born: March 29, 1829

Birth Place: Lynchburg, Virginia

Father: General David Rodes 1795 – 1862

(Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia)​

Mother: Martha Ann Yancey 1803 – 1844

(Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia)​

Wife: Virginia Hortense Woodruff 1833 – 1907

(Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)​

Children:

Robert Emmett Rodes Jr. 1863 – 1925​

(Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)​

​

Bell Yancey Rodes Treanor 1865 – 1931​

(Buried: Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida)​

Education:

1848: Graduated from Virginia Military Institute​

Occupation before War:

1848 – 1850: Assistant Professor at Virginia Military Institute​

​

1850 – 1861: Civilian Engineer in Alabama​

Civil War Career:

1861: Colonel of 5th​ Alabama Infantry Regiment​

​

1861 – 1863: Brigadier General of Confederate Army Infantry​

​

1862: Wounded in the arm during the Battle of Seven Pines​

​

1862: Lightly wounded during the Battle of Antietam​

​

1863 – 1864: Major General of Confederate Army Infantry

​

1864: Participated in the Wilderness Campaign​

​

1864: Mortally Wounded during Third Battle of Winchester​

Died: September 19, 1864

Place of Death: Winchester, Virginia

Age at time of Death: 35 years old

Cause of Death: Killed while directing a counterattack

Burial Place: Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia

 

[Pollaco]

He replaced D H Hill as division commander after Hill was sent to North Carolina in the month following Fredricksburg.

 

[redbob]

You have to admit, the man knew how to grow a mustache.

 

[Paul Yancey]

One of my favorites. I always enjoy reading these bios that you post.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday Major General Robert E. Rodes. Remembering General Rodes on his birthday.

 

[Pollaco]

Isn't he the one that temporarily took over command of StonewallJackson's Corps before JEB Stuart arrived on the scene and took over command? It had to be led by a Major General and Rodes was only a brigadier at the time.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday Major General Robert E. Rodes! Salutes remembering General Rodes on his birthday.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Rodes was an able and aggressive Brigade, then Division, commander. A VMI graduate, Rodes was described by one of his officers, Captain Robert Park, as, ...'a precise and somewhat stern military man, of resolute expression and soldierly bearing'...

 

[USS ALASKA]

Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Biography by Darrell Collins

Jedediah Hotchkiss, Stonewall Jackson's renowned mapmaker, expressed the feelings of many contemporaries when he declared that Robert Rodes was the best division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia. This well-deserved accolade is all the more remarkable considering that Rodes, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and a prewar railroad engineer, was one of a very few officers in Lee's army to rise so high without the benefit of a West Point education. Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Biography, is the first deeply researched scholarly biography on this remarkable Confederate officer.

From First Manassas in 1861 to Third Winchester in 1864, Rodes served in all the great battles and campaigns of the legendary Army of Northern Virginia. He quickly earned a reputation as a courageous and inspiring leader who delivered hard-hitting attacks and rock steady defensive efforts. His greatest moment came at Chancellorsville in the spring of 1863, when he spearheaded Stonewall Jackson's famous flank attack that crushed the left wing of General Hooker's Army of the Potomac.

Rodes began the conflict with a deep yearning for recognition and glory, coupled with an indifferent attitude toward religion and salvation. When he was killed at the height of his glorious career at Third Winchester on September 19, 1864, a trove of prayer books and testaments were found on his corpse.

Based upon exhaustive new research, Darrell Collins's new biography breathes life into a heretofore largely overlooked Southern soldier. Although Rodes' widow consigned his personal papers to the flames after the war, Collins has uncovered a substantial amount of firsthand information to complete this compelling portrait of one of Robert E. Lee's most dependable field generals.

Darrell L. Collins is the author of several books on the Civil War, including General William Averell's Salem Raid: Breaking the Knoxville Supply Line (1999) and Jackson's Valley Campaign: The Battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic (The Virginia Civil War Battles and Leaders Series, 1993). A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Darrell and his wife Judith recently relocated to Conifer, Colorado.

Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Biography: Collins, Darrell: 9781932714098: Amazon.com: Books

Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Biography [Collins, Darrell] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia: A Biography

www.amazon.com

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Norman Dasinger Jr]

Was living in Tuscaloosa AL at the time he enlisted - in the Warrior Guards-

 

[ErnieMac]

While only a brigadier Rodes temporarily commanded Jackson's Corps during the Battle of Chancellorsville after Jackson and A. P. Hill were wounded. On his deathbed Jackson recommended Rodes for promotion to major general. The promotion was backdated to May 2, 1863.

 

[Pollaco]

While only a brigadier Rodes temporarily commanded Jackson's Corps during the Battle of Chancellorsville after Jackson and A. P. Hill were wounded. On his deathbed Jackson recommended Rodes for promotion to major general. The promotion was backdated to May 2, 1863.

He had already been commanding D.H.Hill's division when Hill was sent to North Carolina.Divisional command was not normally a job for brigadiers, was it? Though it did happen. Wasn't command of Jackson's Corps get taken away from Rode's and temporarily given to JEB Stuart because a Major General was required?

 

[ErnieMac]

He had already been commanding D.H.Hill's division when Hill was sent to North Carolina.Divisional command was not normally a job for brigadiers, was it? Though it did happen. Wasn't command of Jackson's Corps get taken away from Rode's and temporarily given to JEB Stuart because a Major General was required?

Rodes' promotion was probably in the works since he had been performing well as a brigadier for a year. It was his first battle commanding a division, D. H. Hill was still around for Fredericksburg, so a more experienced commander was sought and Stuart was readily available.

 

[Pollaco]

Rodes' promotion was probably in the works since he had been performing well as a brigadier for a year. It was his first battle commanding a division, D. H. Hill was still around for Fredericksburg, so a more experienced commander was sought and Stuart was readily available.

Was it the experience or the major generals rank the ANV was requiring ?

 

[ErnieMac]

Was it the experience or the major generals rank the ANV was requiring ?

I think both. Jackson's Corps was composed of four divisions: A. P. Hill's (Hill wounded, BG Heth in command), D. H. Hill's (Rodes), Early's (MG Early - detached at Fredericksburg) and Trimble's (BG Raleigh E. Colston). Two divisions of Longstreet's Corps commanded by MG McLaws and MG R. H. Anderson were present at the battle but were separated from Jackson's command by the Army of the Potomac. Stuart had accompanied Jackson on his flank march and was available.

 

[Vicksburger]

Robert Emmett Rodes​

View attachment 351331

Born: March 29, 1829

Birth Place: Lynchburg, Virginia

Father: General David Rodes 1795 – 1862

(Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia)​

Mother: Martha Ann Yancey 1803 – 1844

(Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia)​

Wife: Virginia Hortense Woodruff 1833 – 1907

(Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)​

Children:

Robert Emmett Rodes Jr. 1863 – 1925​

(Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)​

​

Bell Yancey Rodes Treanor 1865 – 1931​

(Buried: Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida)​

Education:

1848: Graduated from Virginia Military Institute​

Occupation before War:

1848 – 1850: Assistant Professor at Virginia Military Institute​

​

1850 – 1861: Civilian Engineer in Alabama​

Civil War Career:

1861: Colonel of 5th​ Alabama Infantry Regiment​

​

1861 – 1863: Brigadier General of Confederate Army Infantry​

​

1862: Wounded in the arm during the Battle of Seven Pines​

​

1862: Lightly wounded during the Battle of Antietam​

​

1863 – 1864: Major General of Confederate Army InfantryView attachment 351332​

​

1864: Participated in the Wilderness Campaign​

​

1864: Mortally Wounded during Third Battle of Winchester​

Died: September 19, 1864

Place of Death: Winchester, Virginia

Age at time of Death: 35 years old

Cause of Death: Killed while directing a counterattack

Burial Place: Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia

Am i the only person who wonders about why Gen. Rodes is mentioned as having blonde hair, this picture clearly shows: not blonde! Anyone know whats up?

 

[Luke Freet]

Rodes is in the title match for "best division commander, Army of Northern Virginia". He performed superbly in brigade command from Seven Pines to the Seven Days to Antietam. As senior brigadier, he commanded D. H. Hill's old division after that commander's removal, and led the command at Chancellorsville, taking part in Stonewall Jackson's flank assault on Howard's Corps. For his actions on May 2nd and 3rd, he was promoted to Major General. Gettysburg was a lowpoint for him, as his command attacked piecemeal on the first day and suffered horrendous casualties. DUring the Overland Campaign, he was conspicuous at Saunders Field, Spotsylvania, and Bethesda Church. At Cool Springs, he expertly pushed out George Crook's isolated command as it attempted to cross the swollen creek.

 

[rpkennedy]

Rodes is in the title match for "best division commander, Army of Northern Virginia". He performed superbly in brigade command from Seven Pines to the Seven Days to Antietam. As senior brigadier, he commanded D. H. Hill's old division after that commander's removal, and led the command at Chancellorsville, taking part in Stonewall Jackson's flank assault on Howard's Corps. For his actions on May 2nd and 3rd, he was promoted to Major General. Gettysburg was a lowpoint for him, as his command attacked piecemeal on the first day and suffered horrendous casualties. DUring the Overland Campaign, he was conspicuous at Saunders Field, Spotsylvania, and Bethesda Church. At Cool Springs, he expertly pushed out George Crook's isolated command as it attempted to cross the swollen creek.

At Gettysburg, Rodes was evidently quite ill which explains some of his lackluster performance there. It's definitely a dark mark on a very good record, though.

Ryan

 

[James N.]

I'll add to the discussion about Rodes my photo of the marker in the West Woods on the battlefield of Third Winchester or Opequon in the approximate location where he was struck down.