Captain J. L. Dodds
submitted by Steve Slaughter

Acting Quarter Master, JOSEPH L. DODDS, gave his testimony in the Court Martial trial against Maj. General Justus McKinstry over the abuse in the QuarterMaster's office, St. Louis, Missouri, October 1862.

Exerpts quoting letters and descriptions along with data from the website can be found at: http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/History/McKinstry.htm .

To give color to their calumny, quoted above, the Commissioners introduce in their report the fortunes of Assistant Quartermaster Dodds (page 5). It is left to inference that Capt. Dodds was examined. Of course his evidence, like the rest, is a sealed book to me. I know nothing of it. The remarks of the Commissioners, however, leave the inference plain enough, that Captain Dodds’s testimony reflected on my administration of the Quartermaster’s Department. Most fortunately, I have it in my power to defend against even this stab in the dark. At the time the transactions with which Captain Dodds is associated occurred, he gave, and he has since given, the most substantial evidence of his confidence in my integrity. I received from him the following letters at their respective dates:
Everett House, St. Louis, Sept. 4, 1861
Brig. Gen. J. McKINSTRY, St. Louis

Sir:
Being an admirer of your mode of doing business, I most respectfully ask for a place on your staff if you take the "field," and accept any volunteer "aid." Having been present at a meeting at Washington City last week, when Quartermaster McKinstry had concealed enemies to fight, in which I claim to have done some execution, I would most gladly meet the enemies of our country under the head of so gallant a chief. My position now is Assistant Quartermaster, but not assigned for duty, and am anxious to see service under some officer of experience and not a second class politician. Having a practical knowledge of all connected with transportation, horses, mules, wagons, &c., and some military, not enough to be more than a good Volunteer Colonel, I submit my claims. Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
     JOS. L. DODDS, Capt., QMUS Vols.
     Everett House, St. Louis, Sept. 8, 1861

Brig. Gen. J. McKINSTRY, Q. M. Gen.
Sir:
Not being in any manner responsible for the attempted interference with your duties by civilians or others, I must protest against being made to bear any of their want of courtesy, and having made myself obnoxious to the outside pressure by siding with the regular bureau and yourself, you will please not assign me for duty into their hands. Believing I possess the qualifications to discharge the duties of AQM with credit to myself and the interest of the service, having some practical knowledge of the material from a steamboat down to a gimblet [device to turn an anchor around by its stock], and having been assigned to the water transportation, I would be glad to receive explicit instructions from you. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
     JOS. L. DODDS, AQM

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His path, it seems, was beset (as mine has been) by a set of hungry wolves, watching with stealthy tread to seize the public carcass. Captain Dodds in his extremity appealed to me for protection against them, and sought a position upon my staff. If fraud and corruption held undisputed sway during my administration of the Quartermaster’s Department, as the Commission falsely charge, it occurs to me that Captain Dodds would have manifested his "unconquerable determination to expose frauds upon the Government," in some other way than is shown by his letters. This is another instance of the gross injustice of the miscalled investigations of the Commission. Now the facts are: Captain Dodds was assigned to special duty, as will be seen by the order of General Frémont, and was not at any time in charge of the clothing department, or acting under my orders (vide Appendix, No. 64). This disposes of the pathetic story of the "fortunes of Assistant Quartermaster Dodds," composed by Joseph Holt.
Again, the Commissioners (page 18) say that "the contract for the roofing of Benton Barracks was proved to have been tainted with fraud," and with the proclivity to garble evidence that has characterized their whole course, the Commissioners leave it to be inferred that the Q.M. was a party to the fraud.

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Headquarters, Western Department
St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 5, 1861}
Special Order, No. 128

Captain J. L. Dodds, Assistant Quartermaster, is assigned to duty in this city, and will report to Captain P. T. Turnley, Assistant Quartermaster. By order of Major-General Frémont.

     J.C. KELTON
     Asst. Adj’t General