Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-30

enough to the teamster that all that was
to be said had been said The tone OF
the order carried convictions; also, n con-
viction that assured n hearer that the
order was to be obeyed no matter what
happened. The rest was UP to the cap
tain.
At that time Captain Dodd was of
slender but sturdy physique. Not an
ounce of superfluous flesh was in sight.
Tall. but not over six feet, he seemed
to he made of steel springs, afoot or In
tho saddle he gave the impression OF a
panther-like energy that made him ut
to command such an active and athletic
troop. He wore his hair snugly cut his
mustache long, as becomes a soldier
of The cavalry. His eyes, under heavy
brows, were keen and piercing in express
sion, though not In color. From crown
to toe he was a typical United States
cavalry officer.
FOUGHT AT SAN JUAN.
That extensive tour Of New England
was the last of the kind for L troop,
for tie following spring the regiment
was with the army in Cuba, and at
San Juan it tramped up the hill among
the Mauser bullets. with 20 officers and
$50 men engaged, of this number five
enlisted men were killed, six officers and
AZ enlisted men wounded.
One of the officers wounded was Cap
tain Dodd. whose head was closely
scored by a Spanish bullet which. had
it gone hut small fraction Of an inch
closer would have ended the career Of
the man who to-day is leading the Sew
enth and Tenth United States Cavalry
in the pursuit Of Villa.
1t was close call, but as every
bullet has it's billet 1t was evident that
Captain Dodd though sorely wounded
for a time, the close passing OF Mauser
bullet through the scalp being attended
with a force that is terrible, evidently
was to be spared for other and better
service.
In the spring Of 1890, Captain Dodd and
his + troop came to Boston to attend
the military carnival In Mechanics Hall,
which for week showed the soldiers
Of the regular and militia establish
ments to the citizens of Boston. then
more interested in things military than
at any time since until now
IN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN.
1t was his last appearance in this sec
ton, the regiment going shortly to the
Philippine Islands for it's turn Of three
years service.
In the early part Of 1900 considerable
effort was made by the United States
troops to subdue the belligerent islanders.
1t cost many lives on both sides. but the
larger number We're the natives. F.
troop, under Captain Dodd, continued
to show it's ability. The success OF the
troop was notable
In 10 days it was in three fights, but
not man was lost and the injuries
were inconsequential. In II days the
troop disposed Of 1874 insurrectos dead.
10 captured, besides quantities OF arms,
and much property was destroyed.
It was April II when the troop left
Vigan, and on the 18th it surprised a
big insurrecto force under Captain Gre
gorio Agipay near Baldoc. Luzon.
The fighting lasted one hour. and then
the soldiers had killed 40, mortally wound
ed four and captured A prisoners. A
large number OF small arms and other
property was captured. and large
quartet, with officers quarters, store
houses and supplies, including great
quantities of rice. was burned. Several
other places that showed evidences of
| being tho resorts OF insurrectos were
| burned.
During the next few days the troop
continued to sweep the country, and
on April % came in contact with a
force of about 1900 insurrectos In the
vicinity of Bantac. Allgagnan district
The fighting continued for an hour and
a quarter, and the results We're: 12(
insurrectos killed, five captured; also Il
Bennington rifles and a quantity Of bolos
etc: 10 horses and a quantity of ammuni-
ton. Many uniforms and other stores
We're destroyed.
The troop was singularly fortunate in
that but one man was wounded. and
he slightly from "A spear-thrust. At tina,
time this achievement of F troop was
the most signal victory attained by any
single organization on the island.
There was considerable Of the "helr
yourself" sort Of fighting in those days
and it required some strategic ability &c
plan and conduct a campaign with such
results. The men OF a command could
not struggle far from the column else
they would be shipped or 'swiped" by
the stalking enemy In the bush. re
secure such definite results, which were
important in crushing the savages in the
Philippines and turning them to more
peaceful ways showed strategic ability
and control of the men. The experience.
in Arizona and on the Indian frontier
had given Captain Dodd q training ir
savage warfare that came into goot
use in his campaign in the islands.
a STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN.
AS a troop commander CAPTAIN DodC
had the reputation of strictness in dis
cipline that approximated almost tc
sterness His first care was, as 1.
proper with II cavalry captain, of hi.
horses, through the service of the men
The writer has heard him sound,
rate trooper for mistreating hi.
mount then order him to the rear OF
the column dlsmount him and compe
him to walk and lead his horse unit
camp was reached. The man was fur.
ther admonished that he was fortunate
in not being obliged to carry the sad
oil at the same time Ga severe form OF
punishment In cavalry commands). II
I was the last time on that march tina,
the trooper so punished mistreated his
horse.
= While 1t Is sometimes necessary fol
troop commander to be stern with
his men, in order to be just Captain
Dodd was not hard hearted as troot
commander. He always had in mind the
comfort of his men. on the march In
reference the men. as was then the
custom, wore long boots. The weather
was warm. and Captain Dodd directed
that the bill OF dress should Ike legyinS