Captain Albion Manley Dudley was born August 1845 in Boston. He went to school in Boston and Provincetown, Mass., and seminary in Tilton, N.H., and Wilbraham, Mass. He enlisted as a private in the 33rd Mass. Infantry in June, 1862. He had served voluntarily because he was refused muster because of his youth. He left after a year due to sickness.

     At 18 years old, he was appointed a recruiting officer by Gov. Andrew and began recruiting for the 58th Mass. Infantry (known as the 3rd Veterans). He then enlisted again, this time with his papers signed by himself--at that time the only instance of this on record.

     He was promoted to Sergeant Major, then 2nd Lieutenant, then 1st Lieutenant, all within three months in 1864! He commanded Company K in the 58th Mass until after the Civil War. He was made Brevet Captain on April 2, 1865 "for gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va."

     At the battle of Petersburg, during the conflict at Ft. Malone, he (with some of his men) were captured. The next day, during the march to Andersonville, he (with a Sgt Starr of his company) managed to escape by overpowering a guard and stealing his carbine (which Capt. Dudley kept until his death). While on his escape route, he met an old Negro who hid and fed him until he reached Union lines in Petersburg.

     After the war, Capt Dudley attended Harvard College Medical School during 1865/66. Later, he entered Boston Dental College (its first term) and graduated at the head of his class, and delivered the Valedictory. He has served as President of the Alumni Association, Instructor, member of the Board of Examiners, Vice-President of the Mass. Dental Society, Secretary and President of the Merrimack Valley Dental Society, the same of the New England Dental Society, and an Honorary Member of the American Dental Societies of Europe, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

     There are so many other things the good Captain did that space does not allow it. Suffice it to say he had a very productive life!

    He married Miss L. Jennie Butler, daughter of John C. And Margaret Putnam Butler on November 15, 1871, at Davers Mass. She died at Salem on December 15, 1875 at only 25 years old, after giving birth to their only child--Jennie Butler Dudley.

     Capt Dudley died after 1890, one of our most productive ancestors.