Frederick William, Baron de Woedtke

Friedrich Wilhelm, Baron de Woedtke ( 1740 – July 28, 1776) was a Prussian officer who served in the Continental Army during the American War of Independence.

Early life Woedtke was the son of Georg Eggert, a colonel in the Prussian Army. His brother Leopold Christian also served in the Prussian army, and attained the rank of captain in the 4th Regiment of Dragons. According to contemporaries, Woedtke developed a cynical streak and insubordinate attitude as the result of his Seven Years' War experience. and Congress granted him a commission on March 16, 1776, assigning him to the army under General Philip Schuyler in New York. Adams later wrote below Woedtke's signature on a letter Woedtke sent to Washington "Good for nothing."

Death and burial Woedtke became ill in July 1776, possibly of smallpox, possibly from alcoholism. The Continental Congress used July 28 as the date his commission was terminated as the result of his death. He was buried in an unmarked grave near Fort George.