Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-12-15
Rsnutot'fatit
WOOD DoDD. THE SCOUT.
A Former Toledo Basker Found In the
Picturesque Garb Of Scout in
Arizona.
Carer Full Of Exciting Adventures
Duringths War and on the
Plains.


from the special correspondent Of the
Chicago Inter- Ocean, is not only an
Ohio man, but Henry county produc-
tion. He is son of the late Gen. Dodd;
cousin of Maj. E. S. DOdd. of Toledo,
and of E. c. Dodd, at present connected
with the NORTHWEST office. He was born
near the village of Damascus, in this
county. in what is known as the Rod.
Lease farm. He will be well remem-
bered and this article will be read with
interest by many of our older citizens.
TFrom the Chicago Inter-ocean.l
WILCOX. Arizona, Oct. 25.-I had a
long talk Yesterday with one of the most
notable scouts in Arizona-Henry Wood
Dodd-better known as wood DOdd.
This man has been known in the terri
tory for the past sixteen years, and has
experienced all the ups and downs of the
veI, toughest klnd OF frontier life.
Wood Dodd first came to my notice
one day after he had been hired as a
. courier to bear some important dispatch
es to Colonel Bernard whose whereabouts
were unknown. but who was believed to
have crossed the Mexican line in the vi
cinity of San Bernardlno ranch. in pur.
suit of the Chiricahuas, The celebrity
with which Dodd prepared for
HIS HAZARDOUS JOURNEY
after having been engaged, and the sue
cess with which he completed it, led me
to make inquiries concerning him and
resolve to have more of his history when
he returned
Yesterday afternoon he started in
search of the scout. At last found him
near his horses in q corr er of the govern
ment corral. He was seated on a rail
that was sloping up against the adobe
wall of the enclosure. This was his
camp. and as approached him l could
not but ask myself what train of Cir
cumstances could have led so remarka-
BILE man to choose life so full of hard
ships.
He already knew me. so after accost-
ing him generally, told him had come
to ask his history. Not little surprised,
he demurred while, but finally agreed
to give me some of its details. So at my
request we adjourned to Hugo Bohn's to
discuss the matter.
ANOTHER OHIO MAN.
Wood D0dd was born in Henry county,
Ohio. IN 1889. In 1855, through the in-
huence of old Judge Waite, he obtained
a position in bank at Toledo, and re
mained there till the breaking out of the
rebellion in 1851, when he entered the
army.
He went out as volunteer in the First
Ohio Light Artillery, Colonel Barnett's
regiment. Almost Immediately his dar-
ing. spirit, and consummate address,
recommended him for place in one of
the most important bureaus of the pub
lie service. BY order Of the Secretary of
War (Stanton) he was detailed in the
department OF the Provost Marshal and
rendered invaluable service in the secret
branch until the close of the war. He
secuted in this capacity for Burnside,
Hooker, Meade and Grant, and amid
dozens of exciting adventures and hair.
breadth escapes. always managed to
avoid permanent capture.
Upon two occasions, however, he actu-
ally fell into the hands of the rebs. They
were but temporary captures. On the
first occasion he was captured by Henry
Gilmore. He had undertaken to carry
dispatches from Sigel to Grant in the
wilderness. but after having about half
traversed very difficult road he was
suddenly accosted by
A PARTY OF CONFEDERATES.
His wits alone saved him. He played
des"rter, was taken before Fillmore, and
ordered by him to report to Brecken-
ridge, obtain parold and go home. In
the meantime he had managed to destroy
his dispatches. This was particularly
fortunate, for soon after his capture he
was stripped and his clothing examined,
and most of it appropriated.
He didn't report to Breckenridge, how
ever. but taking advantage of nightfall,
started to swim the north fork of the
Shenandoah. While thus engaged he
was hailed by four "Johnnies," who
fired at him three or four times without
effect. Reaching the other side, he
made his way to City Point. Joined Grant
and conveyed to him the verbal part Of
mis- instructions.
The second time that he was made
prisoner he was put upon mule, and,
though closely watched, was not tied.
His captors were taking him to the rear,
as they thought, but before he knew it,
came upon our own pickets. 1t was
quite dark then, and in the stampede
that resulted from the challenge of the
Union lines, he
SLIPPED OFF HIS MULE AND GOT AWAY.
From City Point he made quite num-
ber OF trips inside the enemy's lines. The
secret service had a regular depot there
This was at the house of an old lady who |
used to go to Richmond and obtain the
news from parties whose names she and |
they were sworn not to divulge.
One night while party of these daring
fellows, Dodd among them. were seated |
in the old lady's kitchen eating corn
dodgers and milk, there was rap as the
door. In answer to their permission to
enter, in walked a Johnny Reb in full
uniform, with pistol and carbine. He
had lost his way, and not recognizing his
customers, asked about it, and for the
time of day. This he was told The
ansuspec ing reb was then invited to
dinner, which he accepted. During the
diliuer it leaked out that he was mes.
senger with quite important dispatches.
When Dodd and his party were ready to
30 the, told the new ccmer that he had
better come along across the river with
them."
'.Are you'uns Yanks?" asked the sur.
prised gray jacket.
'You bet" was the reply.
The fellow begged hard to be let off,
but they took him in nevertheless with
his bag of mail, which turned out to be
very important capture.
A LETTER TO GRANT.
Dodd says that Grant would remember
him well, from the incident of little
letter he once brought to him, containing