Daniel Woodall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Woodall
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|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1841 Dover, Delaware |
| Died | August 2, 1880 (aged 39) Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Buried |
Old Drawyers Presbyterian Churchyard, Odessa, Delaware
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| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 3rd Brigade—2nd Division—II Corps 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment 39th New York Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Internal Revenue Service assessor |
Daniel Woodall was an American Union army officer during the American Civil War. He served in the 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment. He fought in many important battles in the eastern part of the United States.
Contents
Daniel Woodall's Life and Service
Early Days and Joining the War
Daniel Woodall was born on June 1, 1841, in Dover, Delaware. Before the war, he worked as a civil engineer. When the American Civil War began, he decided to join the army.
In early 1861, Woodall volunteered for the 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment. This was a unit of soldiers who joined for three months. He became a second lieutenant in Company H. When their first service time ended in August, the regiment was rebuilt in Wilmington. This time, soldiers would serve for three years. On September 28, 1861, Woodall was made Captain of Company F.
The regiment was assigned to the II Corps of the Army of the Potomac. This group of soldiers fought in the eastern part of the United States.
Fighting in Major Battles
Woodall led his men into the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. During this battle, he was shot in the arm. After the Battle of Fredericksburg, Woodall was promoted to major on December 30, 1862.
Wounded in Action
In the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, Woodall was wounded again. This time, an artillery shell hit his left leg. He had to take time off to recover until late July. Because of this, he missed the important Battle of Gettysburg.
On July 30, 1863, Woodall was temporarily put in charge of the 39th New York Infantry Regiment. This unit was part of the same group of soldiers. At the Battle of Bristoe Station, Major Woodall was back with his Delaware soldiers. He led half of the regiment as skirmishers, who are soldiers sent ahead to scout. His commander, Colonel Thomas Alfred Smyth, praised him for his actions.
Leading the Regiment
Woodall was promoted to lieutenant colonel on November 5, 1863. He then led his regiment into the Mine Run Campaign. He also fought in the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. At Spotsylvania, he was shot in the foot. Even with this injury, he returned to lead his regiment during the Battle of Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersburg.
When Colonel Smyth was promoted to brigadier general, Woodall became the colonel of the 1st Delaware. He had actually been leading the regiment for almost a year already. He was officially promoted on December 23, 1864. He also commanded a brigade (a larger group of soldiers) during parts of the Appomattox Campaign. He left the volunteer army with his regiment on July 12. At this time, Woodall was one of only four officers from 1861 who were still serving with the regiment.
On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson suggested that Woodall be given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This was "for gallant and meritorious service in the War," meaning for his brave and excellent service. The United States Senate agreed to this on March 12, 1866.
After the War
After the war, Woodall moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. There, he became a district assessor for the Internal Revenue Service. This job involved collecting taxes. When that office was closed in 1872, he became a farmer.
In 1880, Daniel Woodall unexpectedly died on his farm on August 2. He was only 39 years old. Woodall was buried in the Old Drawyers Presbyterian Churchyard in Odessa, Delaware.
