Lewis Thompson Woodruff

Lewis Thompson Woodruff (March 5, 1816 – May 25, 1869) was an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

Biography He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, but moved to Mobile, Alabama, in 1839. He entered Alabama state service on April 24, 1861, as captain of the "Mobile Rifles", which was designated Company K, 3rd Alabama Infantry. Woodruff was so well thought of that an offshoot of his company took his name, and the "Woodruff Rifles" fought in the 21st Alabama Infantry. The 3rd Alabama was organized at Montgomery, Alabama, and was the first Alabama regiment to make the trek to the seat of war in Virginia, where it mustered into Confederate service at Lynchburg on May 4.

Woodruff served as a captain in the 3rd Alabama for a year. The 3rd was brigaded with the 1st and 12th Virginia at Norfolk, on the Peninsula, first under Colonel Jones M. Withers and then under Colonel William Mahone. On May 12, 1862, Woodruff was elected lieutenant colonel of the newly formed 36th Alabama Infantry. On March 14, 1863, Woodruff was promoted to full colonel of the 36th.

The 36th was awarded credit for capturing the battery and the crossed cannon honors were placed on their flag. Loses for the regiment were light at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, 1863, but they suffered severely at the Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day. Thus began a series of reverses that did not stop until the army went into winter quarters in and around Dalton, Georgia.

After a cold, hungry winter the colonel led his men into battle in Georgia at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and finally at New Hope Church. At New Hope Church "Colonel L. T. Woodruff was seriously wounded on the 25th of May, at 4 o'clock, the ball entering his thigh near the leading artery. He was carried from the field, believed to be mortally wounded." He survived and was recommended for promotion to brigadier general, He received a tribute in the May 27, Mobile Register.