b. 24/10/1841 Hillsdale, Michigan. d. 28/07/1923 Adrian, Michigan.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 03/05/1863 Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Hodges mustered on 15 June 1861 to Company B of the 47th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
According to the Military Times Hall of Valor, “on 3 May 1863, while serving with Company B, 47th Ohio Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Private Hodges was one of a party which volunteered and attempted to run the enemy’s batteries with a steam tug and two barges loaded with subsistence stores.” Hodges and nine others in Company B did this while Confederate States Army batteries were shooting at them “under cover of darkness”
Captain William Henry Ward asked for ten volunteers, but originally got twelve. He got permission to take the twelve. Hodges was one of the original volunteers, but as many more men wanted to go, Hodges sold his spot. When Ward found out, he made Hodges go as well. These fifteen were joined by fifteen men of the 27th Missouri. The tug towing the barges took a direct hit, blew up, and sank. The explosion set the two barges on fire. Sixteen of the thirty-five were taken prisoner. Only four of the thirty-five evaded capture. Fifteen had perished. The ten Prisoners of War from the 47th were freed when Vicksburg surrendered in July.
MOH CITATION:
Was one of a party that volunteered and attempted to run the enemy’s batteries with a steam tug and two barges loaded with subsistence stores.
BURIAL LOCATION: OGDEN-ZION CEMETERY, BLISSFIELD, MICHIGAN.
OLD PART, DIVISION 1, LOT 96.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
