Letter appointing Robert Hale Ives Goddard (1837-1916) recruitment duty in Providence.
Signed Edward M. Neill, Ast. Adjunct General
Born in 1837 to Brown University professor William G. Goddard and Charlotte Rhoda Ives Goddard, he was a member of two prominent Providence families. Though his family had business ties to the cotton economy, he volunteered to fight for the Union and enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry on May 2, 1861. He fought at the Battle of Bull Run and remained in the Army until August 2, 1861. He reenlisted on September 23, 1862, and was made Lieutenant and Volunteer Aide-de-Camp. Goddard was assigned to Burnside’s staff and was promoted to Captain in 1863. He participated in many major battles of the war until resigning his commission in July 1865.
