Charles Woodruff

Charles Albert Woodruff (April 26, 1845 – August 13, 1920) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Civil War, American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, and Philippine–American War, he attained the rank of brigadier general before retiring in 1903.

A native of Burke, Vermont, he attended Lyndon Institute, St. Johnsbury Academy, and Bryant & Stratton Business College in Burlington, Vermont. He enlisted for the American Civil War, joining the Union Army's 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment in 1862. He was promoted from private to corporal, was wounded at Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864, and convalesced in Vermont until being discharged at the end of the war.

In 1867, Woodruff was appointed to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1871, was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry, and assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment. Woodruff was assigned to frontier duty and took part in the American Indian Wars, including the Sioux Wars and Nez Perce War. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Big Hole in 1877. After recovering, he transferred to the Commissary department. He continued to serve in commissary and subsistence assignments, and had high-profile staff positions in the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War.

Woodruff was promoted to brigadier general in July 1903 and retired the following day. In retirement he was active in several business ventures and resided in San Francisco before moving to Berkeley, California. He died in Berkeley on August 13, 1920, and was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.

Early life Woodruff was born in Burke, Vermont on April 26, 1845, the son of Erastus Woodruff and Eliza (Quimby) Woodruff. After graduating from the academy, Woodruff went on to graduate from Bryant & Stratton Business College in Burlington, Vermont.

Civil War Woodruff volunteered for the Union Army during the American Civil War, enlisting as a private in Company A, 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment on June 5, 1862. As a result of his wounds, Woodruff was discharged from the Army on August 18, 1865. Among the other applicants for the appointment was Willie H. Johnston. Woodruff graduated in 1871 ranked 11th of 41 in overall standing, and first in military discipline. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry and assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment. After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Woodruff continued to be interested in the events surrounding the fight and the personalities involved. In addition to maintaining a correspondence with other participants in the campaign with whom he discussed his experiences, he also communicated with several writers and historians who researched the subject. Woodruff accompanied them so that Curtis could have the scouts' recollections of the fight considered by an experienced army officer who had knowledge of the battle.

From 1909 to 1914, Woodruff was commandant of the state veteran's home in Yountville, California. He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters: Edith (1878-1970), the wife of Roger Williams of Berkeley, California Genevieve (1880-1941), the wife of General Malin Craig Charles (1884-1945), a United States Navy officer who retired as a commander and joined the Canadian military for World War I. He later became a merchant ship captain, and committed suicide in Brooklyn, New York. Edwin (1885-1970), a World War I veteran who attained the rank of major and later pursued a financial services career in California Virginia (1890-1901)