My Genealogy Hound

G. W. Dudley, a highly-esteemed farmer and stock raiser of Jackson County, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1840. He was the third in a family of seven children born to Christopher S. and Louisa P. (Bandy) Dudley, of Tennessee, in which State the father was county surveyor of Bedford County for twenty-five years, and also engaged in farming quite extensively. The elder Dudley was a noted Democratic politician during his life, and one of the best orators of his party in that section. During his later days he occupied himself with his farm entirely until his death, in 1878, his excellent wife only surviving him one day. The seven children born to the parents are all living: Richard Houston resides in Nashville, Tenn., and is engaged in the wholesale hardware business; Marion resides in Glass Township; G. W. also lives in Glass Township; Harriet M., now Mrs. Lucker, of Franklin County, Tenn.; Fannie, now Mrs. Jarrett, residing in Tennessee; Guilford, residing in Nashville, Tenn., and in the hardware business; Robert M., residing at Nashville, and also in the hardware business. G. W. Dudley was reared to a farm life and attended the district schools of Bedford County, Tenn. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Senator Bates’ regiment, and was mustered into service at Lynchburg, Va. He was engaged in the bombardment of Aqua Creek, on May 28, 1861; at Manassas, on July 22, and was a member of Claiborne’s brigade at Shiloh. He also took part in the battle at Richmond, Ky. (when captain and colonel were both killed), at Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, and was severely wounded at both Perryville and Chickamauga. He was also at the battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Calhoun, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and Decatur. At the last place he was again severely wounded, and fell on the spot where Gen. McPherson was killed. He lay on the battlefield for some time, unable to move, but was finally discovered and taken to the hospital at Macon, Ga. After his recovery he again returned to the front and went with Hood to Middle Tennessee. At Franklin he heard Gen. Claiborne give his last command to his brigadier-generals:

“Gentlemen, I have called you together to say to you that Gen. Hood commands that Franklin must be taken. He says that line of works (scanning the breastworks) must be taken. He says: “I want you, General, and your staff officers to lead your brigades, and impress it on the colonels and captains to lead their commands. I, myself, will lead the division, and the first man who fires a gun or dodges to the rear we will cut his head off and put it on a pole, and carry it through the streets of Nashville with ‘cowardice’ branded upon it.”

He then waved them off, the battle commenced; and Gen. Claiborne was killed while storming the breastworks, as were also Gens. Smith and Granberry, while many of the officers were mortally wounded. After this event Mr. Dudley joined Gen. Forrest at West Point, Miss., and was with him at Selma, Ala., during the closing scenes. He surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., and returned to Tennessee, where he remained for a year, and then moved to Jackson County, Ark., where he commenced farming. In 1868 he was married, in this county, to Miss Mollie Raynor, of Tennessee, whose death occurred the same year, and, in 1875, he was married to Miss Caroline Laster of Mississippi. In 1878 he made his first purchase of land and bought 170 acres on a timber tract, which he immediately set to work improving, and now has forty acres under cultivation. Mr. Dudley has always been an active politician, and a valuable man to the Democratic party. He is very much interested in educational matters, and has served on the school board for some years. In secret societies he belongs to Thornburg Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M., and has been Worshipful Master, and is a member of Jackson Chapter No. 40, at Jacksonport. Four children were born to Mr. Dudley and his wife: George William, Robert Guilford, Richard Houston and Mary Louisa. Mr. Dudley has witnessed a great many changes in the county during his long residence here, and has noted the adversity and prosperity of Jackson County, as it fell and rose from year to year, until now it can take rank with the foremost through the efforts of citizens like himself.