Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-09-07
From the Milwaukee Courier.
GEN. HENRY DODGE.

GEN. HENRY DODGE.
1t was our intention to have given some
what in detail, sketch Of the life and SER
vices Of Gen. DODGE, believing that such
publication would at this time be highly
acceptable 10 his friends throughout the
Territory. Circumstances beyond our con-
troll have prevented this, and we can now
only refer TO some of the most important
events in his life, and to documents in our
possession, showing the light in which he
is regarded by those who can appreciate
his worth and public services. These do
cumcnts, it is necessary perhaps we should
remark, we have been collecting from va
Iious sources for the past three months, in
order that many Of our readers who have
recently become residents Of our Territory
and have no personal acquaintance with
Gen. Dodge, may have The highest posi-
bic testimony placed before them Of his
exalted character and merit The docu-
ments will also serve to show all the cleo
tors of the Territory the high standing
which Gen. Dodge has among the distn-
guiohed men Of the land, and the potent IN
huenccs he could as Delegate in Congress,
bring to bear in favor Of the interests and
waits of Wisconsin.
1t has been the constant aim Of the enc
mics Of Gen. Dodge for the last five years
to decry and undorrato his civil quaihca-
tons for office. This is not singular, when
we consider, that we are seldom willing to
accord even to the most gifted, the pos
session of great military and civil talents,
considering them to be incompatible in the
same individual. Such was the constant
clamor Of the enemies of Gen. Jackson, as
if the briIliancy Of his military genius was
inconsistent with the qualifications requl-
site for Il statesman. In some countries
through the influence Of wealth or friends,
power and place may be conferred upon
the undeserying; but in this, though the
road to honor and distinction be open 10 all,
yet they can only be won by those who
for great and good qualities are superior to
the mass by which they are surrounded.
A sufficient rcrutaton ofthis charge against
Gen. Dodge, can readily be found in the
number and variety Of offices he has filled
both civil and military, and which would
not have been conferred upon him had not
the government and the people thought him
possessed of the requisite qualifications for
the discharge Of those duties.
Gen. Dodge is native Of Indiana, and
IS now ffly-nine years ofage. The early
part Of his life was spent in Kentucky
OF his early days We know but little, other
than his family in common with the early
inha bitants of that country, were severe
sufferers from the hostility Of the Indians.
II was in those trying times, that Gen.
Dodge formed those habits Of energy,
courage aad perseverance which since
distinguished his character, aud which In
times of peril and danger, have marked
him out rs the successful defender Of the
infant settlements of the northwest. At
an early age Gen Dodge removed 10 the
then Territory o' Missouri, and there we
behold him successfully filling tho stations
of U. S. Marshall, Member of the Legis-
laturc, and of the Convention to form the
State Constitution, and Major-Gcneral Of
thai State. All of these trusts he dis
charged faithfully and honorably, and few
men at the present day, enjoy in a great
er degree, the confidence and esteem Of
the people Of Missouri. From Missouri
he cmigrated TO this Territory, in the year
1927, and since that time his name has
been intimately connected with the history
OF the northwest, la few weeks after
his arrival in this Territory, the Winnie
bago Indians commenced hostlities against
the whites. Gen. Dodge promptly res
pondcd to tho call Of Gen. Atkinson, and
appeared in the field at the head of COM
pany Of mounted volunteers, and contin-
ued in the service until all difficulties were
finally adjusted with the indians. In 1898,
he received from Gov. Cass, the Commits
sion Of Colonel, and at the same time, a
Commission as first Judge Of the County
Court of Iowa county.
In 1882, at the commencement of the
Black Hawk War, he was again called in
10 the field and by his energy and deci-
sion, was mainly Instrumental in bringing
it to speedy close. In that year he was
elected memb@ of the Michigan Legisa-
ture from the present Territory of Wis
censin, but being engaged in tho active
duties OF the field, was prevented attending
upon his legislative duties. At the close
of the Black Hawk war, a Regiment of
Rangers was raised and differed by Con-
greSs, for the defence of the frontier set
settlements, the command Of which was
given TO Gen. Dodge. In this command
he continued until the first Regiment Of
Dragoo nswas raised and added to the re-