Charles Woodruff (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Albert Woodruff
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
From 1894's Officers of the Army and Navy (Regular and Volunteer) Who Served in the Civil War
|
|
| Born | April 26, 1845 Burke, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | August 13, 1920 (aged 75) Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
Union Army United States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 (Union Army) 1867-1903 (U.S. Army) |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Philippine–American War |
| Alma mater | Bryant & Stratton Business College United States Military Academy |
| Spouse(s) | Louise Virginia Duff (m. 1874-1920, his death) |
| Children | 7 |
| Relations | Malin Craig (son-in-law) |
| Other work | Commandant, State Veteran's Home, Yountville, California |
Charles Albert Woodruff (born April 26, 1845 – died August 13, 1920) was an important officer in the United States Army. He fought in several major wars, including the American Civil War, the American Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Philippine–American War. He became a brigadier general before he retired in 1903.
Charles was born in Burke, Vermont. He went to schools like Lyndon Institute and St. Johnsbury Academy. He also studied at Bryant & Stratton Business College. During the Civil War, he joined the Union Army in 1862. He was wounded in battle and later left the army when the war ended.
In 1867, Woodruff was accepted into the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1871 and became an infantry officer. He served on the frontier, fighting in the American Indian Wars, including the Sioux Wars and the Nez Perce War. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Big Hole in 1877. After he recovered, he worked in the army's supply department. He continued to serve in important roles during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.
Woodruff was promoted to brigadier general in July 1903 and retired the next day. After retiring, he was involved in business and lived in San Francisco and Berkeley, California. He died in Berkeley in 1920 and was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Albert Woodruff was born in Burke, Vermont, on April 26, 1845. His parents were Erastus and Eliza Woodruff. He went to elementary school in Burke. Later, he attended Lyndon Institute and St. Johnsbury Academy. After high school, he graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business College in Burlington, Vermont.
Serving in the Civil War
Woodruff joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. He became a private in the Company A, 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment on June 5, 1862. He was promoted to corporal on June 3, 1863.
He was wounded three times at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864. He was captured after being wounded but managed to escape that same night. On June 3, 1864, he was wounded again, this time very seriously. Because of his injuries, he could not accept a new officer position. He recovered in Vermont and was discharged from the Army on August 18, 1865.
After the Civil War: West Point
In 1867, Woodruff passed a difficult test to get into the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He graduated in 1871, ranking 11th in his class. He was known for being very disciplined. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant in the Infantry and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment.
Fighting in the American Indian Wars
Woodruff served in the western United States. He was stationed at places like Fort Shaw, Montana, and Fort Benton, Montana. He also explored areas around Fort Colville, Washington, and Camp Lewis, Montana.
During the Great Sioux War of 1876, Woodruff was a regimental adjutant. He commanded a group with a Napoleon gun and two Gatling guns. After the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn, he stayed interested in the events and people involved. He talked with other soldiers and historians about the battle.
In 1908, Woodruff walked the Little Bighorn battlefield with Edward S. Curtis, a photographer, and three Crow scouts. The scouts shared their memories of the battle, which were different from the common stories. They placed more blame on George Armstrong Custer for the defeat. Both Curtis and Woodruff believed the scouts were telling the truth, but Curtis decided not to publish their controversial accounts.
Woodruff also served in the Nez Perce War of 1877. On August 9, he was wounded three times at the Battle of the Big Hole. He recovered for several months. He was promoted to first lieutenant on August 9, 1877.
After his injuries, Woodruff moved to the Army's supply department, called the Commissary. He became a captain and worked in Washington, D.C.. He also served as chief commissary in places like Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Fort Marcy, New Mexico. From 1884 to 1889, he was chief commissary in Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He also helped the Army respond to the Seattle riot of 1886.
Later Military Career
From 1889 to 1894, Woodruff worked in San Francisco for the Army's supply department. In 1890, he received a special promotion to captain for his bravery at the Battle of Big Hole. He gave a popular speech in 1891 that was printed and shared widely. In 1892, he was promoted to temporary major.
Woodruff then worked in Washington, D.C., and later in Governors Island, New York. In 1898, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and then to colonel in the commissary department.
During the Spanish–American War, Woodruff was in charge of supplies in New York City. He also inspected supply operations in Cuba and San Francisco. From 1900 to 1902, he was chief commissary in Manila, Philippines, during the Philippine–American War. He continued to manage supplies in San Francisco until 1903.
On July 27, 1903, Woodruff was promoted to brigadier general. He retired from the military the very next day.
Life After the Army
After retiring, Woodruff worked in different areas. From 1904 to 1905, he was a director for a company in Nicaragua that built power plants and railroads. He also helped a group in San Francisco that wanted to fight corruption in the local government. He served on the board of a bank and was appointed to the Board of Visitors for the United States Naval Academy. He was also active in groups for veterans, like the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
From 1909 to 1914, Woodruff was the leader of the state veteran's home in Yountville, California. After that, he lived in Berkeley, California. Before and during World War I, he actively supported the U.S. war effort. He held leadership roles with the local American Red Cross and the American Protective League.
Death and Family
Charles Albert Woodruff died in Berkeley, California, on August 12, 1920. Many veteran organizations honored him at his funeral. He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.
In 1874, Woodruff married Louise Virginia Duff. They had seven children:
- Mary (1875-1876)
- James (1877-1969), who became a major general in the U.S. Army.
- Edith (1878-1970), who married Roger Williams.
- Genevieve (1880-1941), who married General Malin Craig.
- Charles (1884-1945), a United States Navy officer who later joined the Canadian military for World War I.
- Edwin (1885-1970), a World War I veteran who became a major and later worked in finance.
- Virginia (1890-1901)
Images for kids
-
Charles A. Woodruff as a brigadier general.
