General Philip D. Roddey

General Philip D. Roddey

Civil War; People; Moulton, AL; Lawrence County, AL

General Philip Dale Roddey was born in Moulton, Alabama, in 1820. Because Roddey's parents were poor, he did not receive any formal schooling. Roddey first worked as a tailor. Later, Roddey served as a sheriff of Lawrence County. He resigned from this position to join a steamboat business in Colbert County. In 1861, Roddey recruited a company of mounted men and entered the Confederate military as a captain. Roddey repelled the first attack from Union troops who tried to invade Alabama, which earned him the title of "Defender of the North Alabama." His service led him to rise to the rank of brigadier general. Roddey served with General Joseph Wheeler during the Tennessee campaign. Roddey also served with General Harris at Harrisburg, Athens, Tishomingo, and Sulphur Trestle. Following the end of the war, Roddey abandoned his family and moved to New York to become a commission merchant. Roddey died in London in 1897 after negotiating the sale of a patent on a new water pump. His body was returned to the United States and was buried in Tuscaloosa.

Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama

Franklin County Data, Franklin County Archives

Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

1820

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