Harrison H. Dodd
Encyclopedia
Harrison H. Dodd was a founder of the 1860s-era Sons of Liberty
, whose goal was to thwart the war effort of Abraham Lincoln
while remaining citizens of the United States.
Harrison H. Dodd was born in Brownville, New York
. In his early adult life he moved to Toledo, Ohio
, where he unsuccessfully ran for mayor under the Know-Nothing Party banner in 1855. He moved to Indianapolis
, Indiana
the next year, establishing himself as a printer and an active participant for the Democratic Party
.
During the first year of the war, when Democrats were sometimes forced to take oaths of allegiance, Dodd advertised to start "Marion Dragoons", a company of soldiers to fight for the Union army. However, the company never actually formed.
Dodd frequently campaigned against Oliver P. Morton's and Abraham Lincoln's policies, going so far as to help start the Sons of Liberty after becoming disillusioned with the Order of American Knights, although he never called the Sons that by name. By all accounts he was the most important Copperhead
in Indianapolis. In 1863 a speech given by Dodd at Rensselaer, Indiana
convinced a Methodist preacher that Dodd was a traitor. The local provost marshal
without the authority to do so arrested Dodd. Local Democrats threatened a riot, and Dodd was freed with a promise that he would stop any such riot from occurring. Felix B. Stidger, a spy of Morton's, claimed that Dodd was planning on the releasing of the Confederate prisoners at Camp Morton
.
On August 20, 1864 Dodd's offices were raided by the Union military, recovering ammunition rounds in the thousands and 400 revolvers that were branded "Sunday school books". Several of his co-conspirators, such as William A. Bowles
, were arrested. Dodd managed to avoid capture and escaped into Canada. Dodd was convicted of treason by a military commission, and sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Johnson
commuted the sentence to life imprisonment on May 31, 1865. The conviction of the co-conspirators went through the federal courts, and eventually reached the United States Supreme Court where Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase
issued a habeas corpus
freeing them on April 3, 1866. Later that year on December 17 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that since the civil courts were still functioning in Indiana at the time they were convicted by military commission, the convicted were robbed of constitutional rights and were freed under a principle known as Ex parte Milligan
.
Returning from Canada after the trials, he served several terms as mayor of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
as a Republican
, joining the party of his wartime enemies Morton and Lincoln.
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a political group made up of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists from the usurpations by the British government after 1766...
, whose goal was to thwart the war effort of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
while remaining citizens of the United States.
Harrison H. Dodd was born in Brownville, New York
Brownville, New York
Brownvile, New York may refer to:*Brownville , New York*Brownville , New York...
. In his early adult life he moved to Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, where he unsuccessfully ran for mayor under the Know-Nothing Party banner in 1855. He moved to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
the next year, establishing himself as a printer and an active participant for the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
During the first year of the war, when Democrats were sometimes forced to take oaths of allegiance, Dodd advertised to start "Marion Dragoons", a company of soldiers to fight for the Union army. However, the company never actually formed.
Dodd frequently campaigned against Oliver P. Morton's and Abraham Lincoln's policies, going so far as to help start the Sons of Liberty after becoming disillusioned with the Order of American Knights, although he never called the Sons that by name. By all accounts he was the most important Copperhead
Copperhead
Copperhead may refer to:Snakes:* Agkistrodon contortrix, a venomous pit viper species found in parts of North America.* Agkistrodon piscivorus, a.k.a. the cottonmouth, another venomous pit viper species found in North America....
in Indianapolis. In 1863 a speech given by Dodd at Rensselaer, Indiana
Rensselaer, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,294 people, 2,158 households, and 1,404 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,824.8 people per square mile . There were 2,296 housing units at an average density of 791.4 per square mile...
convinced a Methodist preacher that Dodd was a traitor. The local provost marshal
Provost Marshal
The Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in charge of the military police .There may be a Provost Marshal serving at many levels of the hierarchy and he may also be the public safety officer of a military installation, responsible for the provision of fire, gate security, and...
without the authority to do so arrested Dodd. Local Democrats threatened a riot, and Dodd was freed with a promise that he would stop any such riot from occurring. Felix B. Stidger, a spy of Morton's, claimed that Dodd was planning on the releasing of the Confederate prisoners at Camp Morton
Camp Morton
Camp Morton was a Union prisoner-of-war camp located in Indianapolis, Indiana during the American Civil War. It was named for Indiana governor Oliver Morton, who was the governor of Indiana during the War. It lasted from 1861-1865...
.
On August 20, 1864 Dodd's offices were raided by the Union military, recovering ammunition rounds in the thousands and 400 revolvers that were branded "Sunday school books". Several of his co-conspirators, such as William A. Bowles
William A. Bowles
William A. Bowles was a doctor who led the Knights of the Golden Circle in Indiana in the early 1860s. Earlier he founded the town of French Lick, Indiana and began a resort at an area, which lasts to this day.-Pre-war:...
, were arrested. Dodd managed to avoid capture and escaped into Canada. Dodd was convicted of treason by a military commission, and sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
commuted the sentence to life imprisonment on May 31, 1865. The conviction of the co-conspirators went through the federal courts, and eventually reached the United States Supreme Court where Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase
Salmon P. Chase
Salmon Portland Chase was an American politician and jurist who served as U.S. Senator from Ohio and the 23rd Governor of Ohio; as U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln; and as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.Chase was one of the most prominent members...
issued a habeas corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
freeing them on April 3, 1866. Later that year on December 17 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that since the civil courts were still functioning in Indiana at the time they were convicted by military commission, the convicted were robbed of constitutional rights and were freed under a principle known as Ex parte Milligan
Ex parte Milligan
Ex parte Milligan, , was a United States Supreme Court case that ruled that the application of military tribunals to citizens when civilian courts are still operating is unconstitutional. It was also controversial because it was one of the first cases after the end of the American Civil...
.
Returning from Canada after the trials, he served several terms as mayor of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The name is French for bottom of the lake, for it is located at the bottom of Lake Winnebago. The population was 42,203 at the 2000 census...
as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, joining the party of his wartime enemies Morton and Lincoln.