Short Bio of George Baird Hodge

In 1861, George Baird Hodge enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army. Shortly thereafter, the Provisional Confederate Congress appointed him to serve as a representative for Kentucky from 1861 to 1862. During his absence from Richmond, Virginia, Hodge received a promotion to captain and assistant adjutant general in Breckinridge’s First Kentucky Brigade. His valorous actions during the Battle of Shiloh resulted in a promotion to major on May 6, 1862. He went on to serve as a cavalry brigade commander under Joseph Wheeler and Nathan Bedford Forrest, and was commended by Wheeler for his service during the Middle Tennessee Raid. Nonetheless, Forrest relieved Hodge of his command, alleging incompetence and cowardice, and although he faced charges, he was later exonerated and reinstated to his prior position. On May 6, 1863, he achieved the rank of colonel and served briefly as inspector-general at Cumberland Gap.

From February 18, 1862, to February 17, 1864, Hodge represented Kentucky in the House of Representatives of the First Confederate Congress. After his term ended, he received a promotion to colonel and inspector-general, and was entrusted with the command of the District of Southwest Mississippi and East Louisiana until the war’s conclusion. Hodge was appointed acting brigadier general on November 20, 1863, but his elevation was rejected by the Confederate Senate. Despite a resubmission on August 2, 1864, the promotion was ultimately unsuccessful. Although Warner recognized Hodge as a Confederate general, Eicher did not list him as such, deeming him unconfirmed at that rank. Hodge was eventually paroled as a brigadier general.

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