Life Timeline
Elisha Hunt Rhodes was born on March 21, 1842, in Rhode Island. At just 19 years old, he enlisted in the Union Army to fight in the American Civil War. During the war, Rhodes steadily rose through the ranks, eventually earning the rank of colonel by the time the conflict ended.
Unlike many Civil War soldiers, Rhodes survived the war and returned home, where he married Caroline Pearce Hunt and went on to build a family and career. Throughout his military service, he kept detailed journals describing the battles he fought, the hardships he endured, and the experiences of everyday life as a Union soldier. His writings provide historians with a remarkable firsthand account of the Civil War and offer a personal perspective on one of the most significant periods in American history.
1842
Elisha Hunt Rhodes was born in Providence, Rhode Island, into a large family with many sisters and brothers.
1856
He attended a business school in Providence which would set up his career later as a businessman
1861
Elisha enlists into the army as a private with his mother's blessing shortly after the war breaks out.
1865
He receives his final promotion lieutenant colonel and ends his service to the army the same year.
1866
He marries Caroline Pearce Hunt and has a son, Frederick Miller Rhodes, and a daughter, Alice Caroline Rhodes Chace.
1875
Made collector of U.S. Internal Revenue in Rhode Island as a result of his experience in business.
1879
Elisha serves his state one last time as commander of the Brigade of Rhode Island Militia as brigadier general.
1917
Elisha Hunt Rhodes passed away in Providence, Rhode Island, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service and scholarship.
The Civil War Years
Elisha Hunt Rhodes served with distinction in the Union Army during the Civil War. His contributions were marked by a steadfast commitment to the preservation of the Union, as he participated in key campaigns that defined the era. His service is a testament to the resilience and dedication of those who fought for the nation's future.